URA offers support for projects to transform streets into ‘meaningful public spaces’

SINGAPORE — Imagine turning your neighbourhood into a bazaar space, a garden or even an art gallery for a day. What resources would you need? How would you fund it?

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) today (July 2) announced a new initiative called Streets for People, which aims to provide support for community-initiated projects to “transform our streets into meaningful public spaces”.

It offers varying levels of support and could include up to S$5,000 of seed funding, a one-stop consultation with government agencies as well as a supply of items needed for road closures such as safety barriers.

Members of the public can submit proposals for short-term or regular, temporary car-free zones. Proposals will be assessed on three key criteria: Location, timing, and activities.

The submitted ideas must come from applicants who operate or reside within the proposed area and have their plans supported by the local community.

“We want to see more streets being turned into public spaces for community to enjoy,” said Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan in a blog post. “Closed to cars, the streets come alive,” he wrote.

Pointing to the success of car-free Circular Road, Haji Lane and Ann Siang Hill during the weekends, Mr Khaw noted that the initiatives were started as pilot projects in 2013 by local stakeholders with the support from the URA. “Progressively, we have seen more communities coming forward to initiate similar projects,” he said.

“More recently at Everton Park, the local community came together to convert a quiet back lane to support a vibrant street festival. Many residents were pleasantly surprised to discover the community space and enjoyed many of the activities such as free haircuts, face-painting and kampung games,” he added.

URA chief executive officer Ng Lang said: “The weekend car-free zones at Haji Lane, Club Street and Circular Road are great examples of how the local community worked together to initiate vibrant car-free zones for the public to enjoy.”

“We welcome more of such ground-up initiatives to unlock the potential of our streets as temporary public spaces. We hope the Streets for People programme will make it easier for others who want to bring the same success to their neighbourhood,” he said.