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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Places for the Community

Fostering a sense of belonging is important to establish the identity of a place and enhance its value.

Last updated 1 July 2026

Through involving the community and giving them a greater sense of ownership, we will continue to support the development of loveable places across the city.

Co-creating places from the ground up

By getting different stakeholders to work together, we can make a precinct more attractive to visitors and businesses. Such ground-up placemaking efforts go beyond place marketing and maintenance to also include co-developing solutions and instilling a sense of ownership among the local businesses and communities.

Pilot Business Improvement District (BID)

The programme has encouraged stakeholders in their precincts to pool their resources and drive placemaking initiatives together. Current operational pilot BIDs include Marina Bay, Marina Central, Raffles Place, Singapore River and Tanjong Pagar.

Singapore's Clarke Quay on a river. Colorful buildings and boats are visible.

The first pilot BID formed in 2017 covers Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, each with their own flavour and characteristics. Singapore River One (SRO) takes the lead to plan and coordinate placemaking efforts in the Singapore River precinct. They organise a number of events such as the Singapore River Festival, and undertake public space projects such as play areas for children and public seating along the river promenade. SRO also actively promotes the precinct to encourage more people to visit the area.

Engaging the public

A variety of programmes have been developed to showcase Singapore’s built heritage and areas with identity. The annual Architectural Heritage Season, for instance, rallies building owners and communities to welcome the public into their heritage properties. 

We have worked with communities in many other ways too.

Recording histories on film

Audience watching "AHA Short Film Fest: Dialogue" panel discussion in a cinema.

Since 2015, as part of the Architectural Heritage Awards, URA has worked with students from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, NTU, to develop short films on its winners. The growing collection of 74 films reveals the many histories and stories behind a building and the work it takes to conserve and transform them for new uses.

Volunteer ambassadors

Two women stand in front of a wall mural depicting a vintage home interior with furniture and decor.

We partner URA volunteers, Friends of the Museums, as well as students from ITE College West to deliver regular tours for the community at the Singapore City Gallery and at conservation areas such as Chinatown and Tiong Bahru. They are important ambassadors who support our outreach efforts, which raise awareness of our conservation programme and nurture appreciation of our built heritage and city planning approach.

Exhibitions by the community

Four women stand in an art gallery with artwork featuring nature scenes and text.

The City Canvas in the Singapore City Gallery is a space for the community to showcase reflections on our evolving cityscape. We have collaborated with volunteers and stakeholders to co-create meaningful exhibitions featuring many spaces and places that people love and cherish.

Nurturing the next generation

A student presents a model to an audience in a classroom.

CUBE is an annual URA workshop cum competition organised to raise awareness amongst pre-tertiary students about the importance of city planning and urban design. Acting as planners over the course of the workshop, students study a district, develop visions and translate ideas into their own master plans. 

Bringing heritage online 

"Roots" website homepage. Half-silver and half-blue patterned plates on a black background with "Examine" and "Explore" text.

© NHB

From online archives of maps and photos to virtual tours of a shophouse, technology has enabled new ways to tell compelling stories of our heritage and enhance appreciation of our built spaces and precincts.

Partnering diverse communities

Residents, local communities, civic society groups and other partners bring about an extensive pool of talent, knowledge and dedication in placemaking. We will continue to engage a range of people and groups to create places and spaces that are cherished by all.

Kampong Gelam Alliance

Night street scene with performers in traditional dress dancing for a crowd. City buildings in the background.

The voluntary partnership brings together residents, community institutions and business organisations in Kampong Gelam. It advises the government and community on the strengthening of the historic district as a resilient precinct for community, culture and enterprise.

Friends of Ubin Network

A group of cyclists wearing helmets stand with their bikes, listening to someone speaking. They are in an outdoor area.

© Kenneth Pinto

The partnership has rallied nature and heritage groups, residents, academics and passionate individuals to champion Pulau Ubin’s rich culture, heritage and biodiversity. It has organised events to bring together current and former residents and attract visitors. The group has also proposed ideas, including establishing an integrated centre for environmental education, field studies and community activities.