Insights

Beneath Singapore’s meticulous urban planning and development lies a neighbourhood with a strong community.

Amidst the bustling metropolis lies a hidden treasure, waiting to be discovered—the kampongs of Singapore. The conservation of such unique cultural treasures align with Singapore's goal of becoming a City in Nature.

Blue House, the conserved building serves as a community space and encourages the engagements of public and business sectors, non-profit organisations, and the neighbourhood in the process of cultural and heritage conservation.

Sentul Depot was transformed by making use of place-making to bring together communities and giving it a new social identity by retaining its historic and cultural characteristics.

Patrick Geddes is regarded by many as the father of citizen participation, and is renowned for his theories based on the “autonomous community” and “bottom-up” planning. He pioneered the place-making approach, was founder of the urban conservation movement and originated the phrase, “Think Global, Act Local”.

The demolition of Queen’s Pier was a pivotal moment that jolted Hong Kongers to the fact that it was giving away its architectural heritage with barely a whimper. Yet not everything old should be saved—and certainly not pickled.

The most successfully cohesive urban regeneration projects understand that community development is as much if not more about the people than the real estate.