"Placemaking" is the process of proactively managing a place to make it better through various means such as improvements to infrastructure, organisation of events, engagements with the community. When done well, placemaking transforms ordinary spaces into delightful destinations for all to enjoy.
Placemaking not only enhances the built environment, but also creates vibrant and welcoming places that encourage social interactions and serve as meaningful and attractive destinations. Placemaking is especially empowering when created and shaped by the local communities who use the space.
Placemaking efforts in Singapore began in the 1990s, and have gained momentum especially in the last 15 years through a confluence of government and ground-up efforts.
Find out more about the evolution of URA’s placemaking journey.
Read about URA's placemaking book
Learn more about the evolution of Singapore's placemaking efforts through the lens of individuals, designers, architects and precinct stakeholders in our placemaking book 'How to make a great place'.
Download the book here (PDF, 12.9MB)
A well-managed place with a high level of stakeholder participation and commitment is generally more responsive to changes on the ground. We have observed that when local communities, business operators and property owners take greater ownership of their neighbourhoods, they are better able to implement ideas and solutions that meet their needs and benefit the neighbourhood, in turn injecting greater vibrancy into their precincts.
Lively Places Programme is a joint initiative by URA and HDB to support community-led efforts in enlivening Singapore’s public spaces, such as through activities or installations that bring a sense of delight. Through Lively Places Programme, we have supported a wide range of stakeholder-led projects to create more attractive streets and public spaces for visitors and the community.
With growing interest in placemaking and the need for long term sustainability for precincts, a more formal placemaking model is being tested through the pilot Business Improvement District (BID) programme to determine the feasibility of implementing a formalised BID model in future. To date, a total of 5 precincts have formed pilot BIDs.
The pilot BID programme empowers property owners and businesses to take greater ownership and work together to tailor solutions and enhancements specific to their precincts. The placemaking journey in Singapore continues to evolve, as communities, stakeholders and place champions work together to create engaging, thriving and sustainable places for the future.
The Kampong Gelam Historic Area Place Plan was developed in close consultation with URA, Kampong Gelam stakeholders and members of the public. Launched on 9 July 2023, it sets out a vision to enhance the precinct’s heritage, inherent offerings and experiences for the next 5 years. As the next key milestone, Kampong Gelam Alliance (KGA) was incorporated formally as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 3 September 2024. On 2 June 2025, KGA took over the tenancy of State property 45 Sultan Gate, which has since served as its headquarters and a central community node aimed to carry out a variety of initiatives under the Place Plan. Moving forward, KGA will continue to work closely with URA to look beyond driving the economic growth of the precinct, and aim to also strengthen its cultural, community, and social fabric by developing relevant programmes and projects in collaboration with government agencies and other partners.
To encourage community place champions to kickstart and drive placemaking initiatives within their developments and precincts, there is a need to build up capabilities within the community through offering formalised training, including placemaking seminars and courses.
The Place Management Seminar is organised as part of URA’s efforts to deepen placemaking knowledge and inculcate best practices across the public, private and people sectors. The seminar aims to bring together international and local placemaking experts and practitioners to share their insights and experiences in shaping precincts into vibrant, attractive, and distinctive destinations to strengthen capabilities of the local placemaking community while providing a platform for agencies, stakeholders and practitioners to network.
Professional Certificate in Placemaking