Singapore City Gallery

Last updated
Singapore City Gallery
Singapore City Gallery
Established27 January 1999 (1999-01-27)
Location45 Maxwell Road, Singapore
Coordinates 1°16′47.42″N103°50′42.5″E / 1.2798389°N 103.845139°E / 1.2798389; 103.845139
Type Urban planning museum
Visitors150,000 (annually)
Owner Urban Redevelopment Authority
Public transit access Chinatown (North East Line/Downtown Line), Tanjong Pagar (East West Line)
Website www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Singapore-City-Gallery

Singapore City Gallery , formerly known as URA Gallery, [1] is a three-storey visitor centre located in The URA Centre, Singapore that charts Singapore's urban transformation and future plans. It was established in January 1999 [2] and is managed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). It features a large model replica of the Central Area of Singapore.

Contents

Aim

The Gallery aims to showcase Singapore’s physical transformation in the last 50 years to become "one of the most liveable cities in Asia." [3] It also aims to explain how "forward-looking, long-term and integrated land use planning and partnership between private and public sectors is achieved" in Singapore. The Gallery also presents "creative solutions to balancing different competing needs, the many live, work, play opportunities planned for, extensive conservation efforts and urban design strategies to create a more distinctive Singapore."[ citation needed ]

History

The gallery, which had an initial cost of 4.2 million Singapore dollars, was opened on 27 January 1999,by Lim Hng Kiang, who was National Development Minister at the time. [2] The gallery was initially projected to attract 36,000 visitors a year over the first three years of its existence, most of whom were expected to be students or local community groups. [2] In 2004, the gallery underwent a major renovation of 80% of its exhibits. Upon its reopening on 3 December 2004, the Gallery was renamed the Singapore City Gallery. The Gallery's key exhibit, the Central Area Model, was also expanded to include areas which were formerly not shown, such as Orchard Road, Kampong Glam, Little India, Bras Basah, and Bugis. The model was also updated to include the latest plans for Marina Bay. [4] In 2008, the Gallery received its millionth visitor. [5] In 2011, the gallery was redesigned again, and reopened in August of that year, to include new exhibits such as a 270-degree panorama of life in Singapore and an 8-player multimedia game on urban planning.[ citation needed ] This latest version won honours in the Singapore Design Award 2012 for both the Events/Exhibitions category and the Multidisciplinary Design category. [6] [7] The Gallery now receives about 150,000 visitors annually. [3]

270 degree video panorama "A Day in Singapore Singapore City Gallery exhibit - 270 degree panorama of Singapore.JPG
270 degree video panorama "A Day in Singapore
Photo of the Singapore City Gallery's Central Area Model, taken from the third floor of the gallery. Almost entire model visible, from Orchard Road in top left to Marina bay in bottom right. Model of Singapore Central Area - taken from Singapore City Gallery Third Floor, Mar 2014.JPG
Photo of the Singapore City Gallery's Central Area Model, taken from the third floor of the gallery. Almost entire model visible, from Orchard Road in top left to Marina bay in bottom right.
Photo of the Singapore City Gallery's Central Area Model, taken from second floor of gallery. Focuses on Kallang Bay area. Gardens by the Bay, Tanjong Rhu and Singapore Flyer all visible. Model of Singapore Central Area - Kallang Basin, Mar 2014.JPG
Photo of the Singapore City Gallery's Central Area Model, taken from second floor of gallery. Focuses on Kallang Bay area. Gardens by the Bay, Tanjong Rhu and Singapore Flyer all visible.

Singapore City Gallery, the only permanent exhibit that tells the story of the nation's physical planning efforts, has 10 thematic areas and more than 50 audiovisual and interactive exhibits occupying the first three floors of the Urban Redevelopment Authority building on Maxwell Road in the Central Area. The first floor is reserved for temporary displays on topics such as urban planning, architecture, and other areas relevant to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's remit. The second floor houses a scale replica of central Singapore, called the Central Area Model. The third floor comprises permanent exhibits on topics such as preservation of historically significant buildings, sustainable development, and urban design. The Gallery as a whole occupies a total area of 2400 square metres. The gallery is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. [8]

Central Area Model

Photo of Central Area Model, taken during light and sound show at Singapore City Gallery. Orchard Road, at bottom left, is highlighted by purple light. Model of Singapore Central Area - another angle.JPG
Photo of Central Area Model, taken during light and sound show at Singapore City Gallery. Orchard Road, at bottom left, is highlighted by purple light.

The Central Area Model is an 11 metre by 10 metre architectural model of Central Singapore. Modelled at a scale of 1:400, it is mainly constructed from balsa wood and acrylic, and is composed of various individual area models built for public consultations in past decades, which were then assembled in 1998 into one large model for display in the Gallery. The model is frequently updated and is used by Urban Redevelopment Authority architects as a working model of the area to simulate new growth areas and discuss options between community, developers and government. In addition to showing currently existing buildings in the area, the model also models plans for as-yet-unbuilt buildings.

Central Area Discoverer

The Gallery, designed for self-discovery, has many interactive exhibits and stations, one of which is Central Area Discoverer, an interactive library of more than 100 video stories and 1000 pictures of the centre's past, present and future, the urban planning efforts in finding innovative solution to space constraints and a growing population, balancing old world charm with an ultra modern cityscape. The Discoverer is the interactive core of Rediscover Singapore, a unique online cultural resource for residents that was honoured a Finalist of the Stockholm Challenge Award in 2008, under the Culture Category. [9] The Award is an annual international award selected by a jury comprising some of the foremost global IT-entrepreneurs. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban Redevelopment Authority</span>

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is the national urban planning authority of Singapore, and a statutory board under the Ministry of National Development of the Government of Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marina Bay, Singapore</span> Place in Singapore

Marina Bay is a bay located in the Central Area of Singapore, surrounded by the perimeter of four other planning areas, the Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South and Straits View. The area surrounding the bay itself, also called Marina Bay, is a 360 hectare extension to the adjacent Central Business District. It is also the new downtown of Singapore, built on reclaimed land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic Plaza (Singapore)</span> Commercial property, Retail in Raffles Place, Singapore

Republic Plaza is a skyscraper in Downtown Core, Singapore. It comprises two towers and a 10-storey podium. The first tower, Republic Plaza I, has 66 floors and a height of 280 metres (920 ft), and has a varying octagonal-cross section, while its interior allows for flexible space usage by tenants. The second tower, Republic Plaza II, is 23 stories tall, while the podium contains a three-floor retail area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parliament House, Singapore</span> Government building in Parliament Place, Singapore

The Parliament House is a public building and a cultural landmark in Singapore. It houses the Parliament of Singapore, and is located in the Civic District of the Downtown Core within the Central Area. Within its vicinity is Raffles Place, which lies across from the Parliament House from the Singapore River, and the Supreme Court's building across the road. The building was designed to represent a contemporary architectural expression of stateliness and authority. The prism-shaped top, designed by President Ong Teng Cheong, was similarly a modernist take on the traditional dome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Science Centre Singapore</span> Scientific institution in Singapore

The Science Centre Singapore, previously known as Singapore Science Centre is a scientific institution in Jurong East, Singapore, specialising in the promotion of scientific and technological education for the general public. It houses over 850 exhibits over eight exhibition galleries and receives over a million visitors every year. In 2003, it celebrated its silver jubilee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Istana Park</span>

The Istana Park is a park in Singapore, located in the Museum Planning Area within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district. The park is bounded by Orchard Road, Penang Road, Penang Lane and Buyong Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future developments in Singapore</span>

This article shows the notable future developments in Singapore. Most of them are currently under construction with most to be completed within the next five years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia Insurance Building</span> Residential in Downtown Core, Singapore

The former Asia Insurance Building, now named Ascott Raffles Place, lies in the heart of the Central Business District of Singapore, at the corner of Finlayson Green and Raffles Quay. Standing at 270 feet, it surpassed the Cathay Building to be the tallest tower in Singapore until the completion of Meritus Mandarin Tower 1 in 1971. Designed by one of Singapore's pioneer architects, Ng Keng Siang, the office building was completed in 1955 and served as the headquarters for the Asia Insurance Company, one of the first local insurance companies. In 2006, the building was acquired by the Ascott Group and the office tower has since been refurbished into a serviced apartment residence. Renamed as Ascott Raffles Place, the building sits on a 999-year leasehold site with a building footprint of about 950 square meters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fullerton Hotel Singapore</span> Hotel in Singapore

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is a five-star luxury hotel located near the mouth of the Singapore River, in the Downtown Core of the Central Area, Singapore. It was originally known as the Fullerton Building, and also as the General Post Office Building. The address is 1 Fullerton Square. The Fullerton Building was named after Robert Fullerton, the first Governor of the Straits Settlements (1826–1829). Commissioned in 1924 as part of the British colony's centennial celebrations, the building was designed as an office building by Major P.H. Keys of Keys & Dowdeswell, a Shanghai firm of architects, which won the project through an architectural design competition. The architectural firm also designed the Capitol Theatre, its adjoined Capitol Building and the Singapore General Hospital. In 2015, it was designated as a national monument of Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yue Hwa Building</span> Department store located in Chinatown, Singapore

Yue Hwa Building is a historic building located at the junction of Eu Tong Sen Street and Upper Cross Street in Chinatown, Singapore, next to Chinatown MRT station. Built by Swan and Maclaren in 1927, it was then the tallest building in Chinatown and was known as Nam Tin Building (南天大厦), owned by Lum Chang Holdings. The building housed the six-storey Great Southern Hotel, along with a few shops and cabarets that were popular among Chinese travellers. In 1993, Lum Chang Holdings sold the building to Hong Kong businessman Yu Kwok Chun, who converted it to the first Yue Hwa Chinese Products department store in Singapore in 1994. The renovation process, which conserved the exterior while adding features such as an atrium and waterfall to the interior, won the building the Architectural Heritage Award by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Beach Tower</span> Commercial and residential complex in Singapore

South Beach is a commercial and residential complex located on Beach Road in the Downtown Core of Singapore. It is composed of a hotel tower managed by JW Marriott Hotels, an office tower, shops and residences. The project includes the restoration of four conservation buildings – the former Non-Commissioned Officers' Club building and part of the former Beach Road Camp. It is accessible from Esplanade MRT station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Plaza (Singapore)</span> Commercial offices, Residential condominiums in Anson Road, Singapore

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gallery Hotel</span> Building in Singapore River, Singapore

Gallery Hotel was a four-star boutique hotel at Robertson Quay on Singapore River, in the Central Area of Singapore. Originally known as Gallery Evason Hotel, it was the first "HIP" hotel in Singapore, and the second in Asia, the first being in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of National Development (Singapore)</span> Ministry of the government of Singapore

The Ministry of National Development is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies related to the land-use planning and infrastructure development in Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pinnacle@Duxton</span> Public Housing in Cantonment Road, Singapore

The Pinnacle@Duxton is a 50-storey residential development in Singapore 's city center, next to the business district. All seven connected towers are collectively the world's tallest public residential buildings, and featuring the two longest sky gardens ever built on skyscrapers, at 500m each.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jurong Lake District</span>

Jurong Lake District is a district of Singapore, planned as part of Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s decentralisation efforts to bring more quality jobs, amenities, and recreational options closer to homes. The plans for the district have continued to evolve since the blueprint was first unveiled in the URA Master Plan 2008. It consists of three precincts, namely Jurong Gateway, Lakeside and Lakeside Gateway. It is 472 hectares (4,720,000 m2) in size and served by two major expressways and three MRT stations. It will be the Singapore's next central business district. In June 2023, a white site 6.5 hectares (ha) in size was released for sale to kick-start development of the largest commercial district outside Singapore’s city centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marina One</span> Mixed-use development in Marina South, Singapore

Marina One is a mixed-use development bounded by Marina Way and Straits View in Marina South located within the Downtown Core of the city-state of Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gillman Barracks</span>

Gillman Barracks is a contemporary arts cluster in Singapore that is home to international art galleries, restaurants and the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, which are all housed in conserved colonial barracks. Gillman Barracks lies near to Alexandra Road, and the 6.4-hectare (16-acre) site covers Lock Road and Malan Road amid greenery. Gillman Barracks is jointly developed by the Singapore Economic Development Board, JTC Corporation and the National Arts Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Straits View</span> Planning Area in Central ----, Singapore

Straits View is a planning area located in the Central Area of the Central Region of Singapore. The area is currently relatively undeveloped, with fewer commercial developments compared to the adjacent Downtown Core.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sculpture Square</span>

Sculpture Square was a non-profit arts organization located at 155 and 161 Middle Road, Singapore. It was founded by sculptor Sun Yu-Li in 1995 as a venue with the focus on exhibiting and fostering ‘3-dimensional’ and other forms of sculptural arts in Singapore.

References

  1. ↑ Arthur Lee, "An urban gallery", The Business Times , 28 January 1999, 2.
  2. 1 2 3 Tan Hsueh Yun, "Design your own version of downtown", The Straits Times , 28 January 1999, 30.
  3. 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ Tee Hun Ching, "MODEL CITY", The Straits Times, 11 December 2004, 18–19.
  5. ↑ The Business Times, 5 August 2008, 9.
  6. ↑ "URA Singapore City Gallery".
  7. ↑ "Singapore Design Awards 2012 Winners | Design Business Chamber Singapore". Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "Singapore City Gallery". www.ura.gov.sg.
  9. ↑ "Rediscover Singapore | Stockholm Challenge Event 2008". Archived from the original on 8 May 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  10. ↑ "International Awards & Rankings for Singapore e-Government :: EGov". Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.