Urban Design Plans

The rejuvenation plans for Orchard Road are kicking into high gear with a $40 million infrastructural enhancement and more which promise pedestrians and shoppers new lifestyle experiences. Skyline takes you out to see what is ahead.

Mention Singapore and several images come to mind ... small and modern city state, clean, efficient, multi-racial and a Garden City. Visitors, just arrived from the airport, are first greeted by lush greenery along the East Coast Parkway. Everywhere in this city are green streetscapes, urban parks and pockets of green lungs. Why is Singapore so big on greening the island? Caroline Seah traces the history and explains.

Urban design affects our everyday environment, from the skyline, the streetscape to how the city is lit and experienced in the night. That is why URA draws up urban design guidelines to guide developments to contribute towards making the city a liveable and enjoyable place.

The government recently rolled out a range of investments, incentives and relaxed rules to enhance the X-factor for Orchard Road. Now it is up to the private sector and the public to make this street even more happening.

If you are a regular train commuter on the North-South MRT line, you would have noticed that the feet of progress have quickened of late around Novena MRT station. More people are boarding and alighting at "No-Ve-na!"

Last April, STB and URA exhibited "Making Orchard Road More Happening!" on ideas to make it even more attractive and pedestrian-friendly. Skyline looks at what people said and how some of the ideas are already becoming reality.

Times Square in New York, Piccadilly Circus in London, Shinjuku in Tokyo. These places share at least one thing in common - the electrifying and dazzling array of colourful lighted advertisement signs that adorn the buildings,creating an exciting streetscape and adding vibrancy to the area. Where in Singapore's Central Area can we expect to see more of such bright lights? Skyline offers a sneak preview.

Hip Orchard Road is all geared up for an exciting face-lift, as revealed in STB's and URA's joint exhibition which aims to make the popular haunt even more attractive, well-connected and vibrant. Skyline takes you on a tour around the exhibition and clues you in on what's really happening.