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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Pilot Business Improvement District Programme (BID)

Discover how the programme empowers private sector stakeholders to take charge and improve the vibrancy of their precincts through events, community initiatives and marketing efforts.

Last updated 1 July 2026

What is a BID?

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a formal place management model that is led and funded by the private sector with the aim of improving a defined area. Commonly adopted overseas, the BID is an enabling tool that allows for ground-up stakeholder participation in the collective management of their precincts. Times Square Alliance in the United States and New West End Company in the United Kingdom are examples of established BIDs.

To encourage more ground-up place management efforts, URA launched the pilot BID programme in 2017. The programme encourages private sector stakeholders to take collective ownership of the place management of their precincts, enhancing their vibrancy and attractiveness. The pilot BID programme will enable the Government to assess the feasibility of the BID model in Singapore, and possibility of enacting legislation in the future to formally empower the private sector to manage their precincts.

What does a BID do?

BIDs seek to augment the vibrancy of precincts through targeted marketing, hospitality and events. BIDs can also complement services provided by the government, such as improving safety and security, transportation and maintenance of the built environment in precincts.

What are the benefits of a BID?

In a BID, businesses, residents and visitors stand to benefit from the additional initiatives and programmes, increased footfall and overall boost in vibrancy to the precinct. The BID also provides a sustainable and certain source of funding, and ensures fairer contributions among stakeholders to improve their precinct. In addition, precinct-wide enhancements are easier to enact with the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders within the precinct.

Pilot BID in Singapore 

As part of the pilot BID formation process, precincts had to develop a multi-year business plan and contribute substantial funds to support the collective efforts for their precincts. To kickstart the programme, the government offered support by providing a dollar-for-dollar match to every membership dollar raised, up to a cap of $500k per annum.

Pilot BID precincts

The programme garnered strong interest from private sector stakeholders, with 5 precincts eventually forming pilot BIDs. Discover the profiles, visions and plans of these precincts below:

Outdoor movie night with a large crowd on blankets watching "Carnival by the Bay" on screen.

Marina Bay Alliance

To be globally recognised as the best integrated business, employment, lifestyle and recreation destination of choice.

Marina Central DISTRICT M

Marina Central

A vibrant district at the heart of Marina, where business meets leisure.

City park with people sitting on lawn chairs, festive decor, and a "no skating" sign.

Raffles Place Alliance

Elevate Singapore’s premier business district as the Central ‘Buzz’ District where talent converges around opportunity, creativity, and entrepreneurship to work, meet, play, and chill.

Waterfront restaurant at dusk with city buildings reflecting in river. People dining under awning.

Singapore River One

Make Singapore River THE premier destination for locals and tourists seeking an authentically Singapore experience in a place that connects the country’s past to the present. 

Outdoor event on grass with people near obstacle course, branded flags, and large inflatable.

Tanjong Pagar

To build a strong, connected, diverse and progressive neighbourhood collectively - a place where people want to be.