The story of Singapore River is one of transformation. There, Singapore’s past, present and future are inextricably intertwined, reflecting the development of Singapore from a small fishing village to a vibrant metropolis and global city.
With the completion of the massive River clean-up in 1987, URA was tasked to spearhead a revitalisation programme and coordinate the efforts among the various agencies to transform the Singapore River into a lively activity corridor in the city. This was done through strategic master-planning, infrastructure upgrading to support the development of the area, and the conservation and adaptive re-use of historic buildings.
Following the success of transforming Singapore into an attractive entertainment and tourism hub in the 2000s, more was done to bring Singapore River to the next level. URA, together with other agencies, then implemented a mix of initiatives to enhance the attractiveness of the Singapore River area, through improved lighting, bridges and underpasses, greenery, outdoor refreshment areas and public spaces to create a distinctive visitor experience in the day and night. Events such as the Singapore River Festival, organised in collaboration with stakeholders, also helped to build up the Singapore River brand.
Today, you can enjoy waterfront dining at outdoor refreshment areas along the river, or just take in the colourful charm of the area while enjoying a ride in motorised bumboats and water taxis that ply the clean waterways.
Singapore River’s rebirth is an enduring legacy of the collaborative effort of numerous private and public sector stakeholders. But the work of sustaining the success of Singapore River is not done yet – URA will continue to work with stakeholders and implement place management strategies to further enhance the area.