Content on Urban Redevelopment

Learn on the go. Check out our playlists for collections of short videos, and learning packages for articles, that will give you a slice of history and heritage.

Playlist

A collection of short videos exploring shophouses in Singapore.

Playlist: Shophouses

Mainly constructed between the 1840s and 1960s, the shophouse was a major building type that was two-five storeys high, characterised by a covered veranda at the front of the building. The covered front veranda of these shophouses could be linked together to form pedestrian paths, also known as the five-footway.

Check out these resources to help you gain some understanding of shophouses in Singapore.

A tale of two shophouses | Katong News Agency & Shanghai Chen Hin Dry-cleaning (7 mins)
A video about two businesses in the same shophouse row. Katong News Agency, which opened in 1955, is shutting down after 67 years in business. Its neighbour, Shanghai Chen Hin Dry-cleaning, the oldest occupant in the same row of shophouses, continues to do business.

A tale of two shophouses | Katong News Agency & Shanghai Chen Hin Dry-cleaning. (2022, July 11). Straits Times. Retrieved 2023, October 20.

Are Shophouses in Singapore an Evergreen Asset Class? | Business Times (6 mins)
This video looks at shophouses from a business perspective. The first half of 2021 saw shophouse transactions in Singapore hit S$860 million, 96% more than the total sales generated from the entire 2020. What is fuelling the demand for shophouses and how has the rise of co-living contributed to this trend?

Source: Are Shophouses in Singapore an Evergreen Asset Class? (2021, December 30). Business Times. Retrieved 2023, October 20.

Back to top

Playlist

A collection of short videos, exploring topics around Singapore s Historic Districts.

Playlist: Historic Districts

The Historic Districts of Singapore’s Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, and Boat Quay are culturally rich localities that are of great historical importance. These areas are predominantly characterised by two- and three-storey shophouses that range from the Early Shophouse Style to the Art Deco Shophouse Style. These districts offer a unique opportunity to learn about Singapore’s past and the evolution of its landscape.

To learn more about Singapore’s Historic Districts, be sure to check out these resources below.

Back to top

Playlist

A collection of short videos, exploring topics around Singapore s Residential Historic Districts.

Playlist: Residential Historic Districts

The Residential Historic Districts of Emerald Hill, Cairnhill, and Blair Plain were initially built as homes for the affluent. Their low-rise urban design, narrow streets, and architectural importance create a streetscape that contrasts with the surrounding modern high-rise buildings.

Explore these resources to delve deeper into the cultural significance and architectural beauty of Singapore’s Residential Historic Districts.

Emerald Hill | Urban Redevelopment Authority (9:22 mins)

Emerald Hill, once plantation land, boasts a collection of terrace houses with diverse architectural styles ranging from Transitional Shophouse to Art Deco Styles. This video explores the features adorning the shophouses of this area including the ornate pintu-pagars (fence doors of the front entrance), ceramic tilework, plaster work, and wood carvings.

Source: Emerald Hill (2022, Nov 15). Urban Redevelopment Authority. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

Back to top

Playlist

A collection of short videos about secondary settlements in Singapore.

Playlist: Secondary Settlements

According to URA, “secondary settlements” refer to areas in Singapore that developed outside of the city centre between 1900s and 1960s. These can be found in Balestier, Beach Road, Geylang, Jalan Besar, Jalan Jurong Kechil, Joo Chiat, Mount Sophia, River Valley, Tanjong Katong, Upper Circular Road and Tiong Bahru. Shophouses and bungalows in various styles form the historic streetscapes of these conservation areas. Together they tell stories of Singapore’s urban development and architectural heritage.

Learn more about secondary settlements through the resources below:

Back to top

Learning Package

Shophouses

The shophouse is a two-to-five -storey terraced building which is characterized by the upper floors extending out at the front of the building, creating a sheltered veranda. Mainly constructed between the 1840s and 1960s, the shophouse was a major building type particularly in Singapore s historic districts. As the shophouses were terraced buildings, meaning that it shared walls with the neighbouring buildings to either side, the verandas could be linked together for pedestrians to use. The veranda, known as the five-footway, was also a space that was often used by peddlers, hawkers, and itinerant craftsmen to conduct business.

The dimensions of the shophouse was primarily influenced by building regulations (ordinances) and district planning for the period. Shophouses were usually long (18 to 20 meters in length) and narrow (usually 6 meters or less) and did not originally have modern amenities such as flush toilets. Many commercial shophouses initially used the ground floor as a business premise and the back of the shophouse or its upper floors for residential purposes. Some shophouses were residential, while others were used for club and association gatherings, or even as brothels. Shophouses may also be found in other Southeast Asian cities historic districts, particularly in former Straits Settlements places like Melaka and Penang, and even as far away as certain coastal cities in southern China, due to building regulations, trading networks, and historic population movements. In Singapore, shophouses generally fall into six styles and must follow conservation guidelines set by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Some shophouse rows have been redeveloped as boutique hotels.

Did you know... There used to be 8,319 shophouses in the central area of Singapore according to a 1980 population census?

These curated set of articles and books will help you understand more about shophouses in Singapore.

Articles

Singapore Shophouses: Conserving a Landscape Tradition by Victor R. Savage

This article looks at the "origins, growth, demise and conservation of the shophouse in Singapore."

Source: Savage, Victor R. (2001). “Singapore Shophouses: Conserving a Landscape Tradition. SPAFA Journal Vol 11 No. 1 (January-April): 5-22. (Call no. RSEA SER 959 SPAFAJ)

Give Me Shelter: The Five-footway Story by Fiona Lim

"The five-footway the equivalent to the modern-day pavement or sidewalk was a hotly contested space in colonial Singapore. Fiona Lim relives its colourful history."

Source: Lim, Fiona (2019). “ Give Me Shelter: The Five-footway Story .” Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, October 20.

The Shophouse Hotel: Vernacular Heritage in a Creative City by T. C. Chang and Peggy Teo

This article explores how the shophouse provides a platform to celebrate Singapore identity; discusses the commodification of the shophouse; and discusses contestations.

Source: Chang, T. C., and Teo, Peggy. (2009). “The Shophouse Hotel: Vernacular Heritage in a Creative City. “Urban Studies 46(2) (February): 341-367. (Available on JSTOR via NLB s eResources)

The Shophouse Rafflesia : An Outline of Its Malaysian Pedigree and Its Subsequent Diffusion in Asia by Jon S. H. Lim

This article outlines a history of shophouses with five-footways in Asia.

Source: Lim, Jon S. H. (2016). The Shophouse Rafflesia: An Outline of Its Malaysian Pedigree and Its Subsequent Diffusion in Asia. Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society Vol 66 No. 1 (264): 47-66. (Available on JSTOR via NLB s eResources)

Books

Singapore Shophouse Walks: Joo Chiat, Katong, Geylang

Kildisheva, Tatyana, Edmonson, Lisa, and Pasquale, Joanne. (2021). Singapore Shophouse Walks: Joo Chiat, Katong, Geylang. 2nd edition. Singapore: Kildi Photo. (Call no.: RSING 728.3 KIL)

This colourful book presents a photo documentation of the front fa ade of residential shophouses in the Joo Chiat, Katong, and Geylang area. The photographs are accompanied by brief explanations of the history of the area, the symbols used to decorade the fa ade, and peppered with lively anecdotes from its inhabitants.

Singapore Shophouse Walks: Chinatown, Blair Plain, Duxton Hill, Tanjong Pagar

Kildisheva, Tatyana, Trench, Shona, and Pasquale, Joanne. (2019). Singapore Shophouse Walks: Chinatown, Blair Plain, Duxton Hill, Tanjong Pagar. Singapore: Kildi Photo. (Call no.: RSING 728.3 KIL)

This book is a sequel to the book on Joo Chiat, Katong, and Geylang. Similar to the first book, the photographs are also accompanied by brief explanations of the history of the area, the symbols used to decorade the fa ade, and peppered with anecdotes from its inhabitants, as well as street mural artists.

The Functional Shophouse

Tan, Sylvia S. H., Chia, Josephina, Chua, May, D Silva, Julia, Iyer, Jane, Goh, Brenda, Tahir, Ibrahim, and Yeo, Sharon. The Functional Shophouse. Singapore: OPUS Editorial Pte Ltd. (Call no.: RSING 725.21095957 FUN)

This small booklet presents photos and information regarding the shophouses in a few Singapore historic districts such as Chinatown and Little India, and includes images of the inside of some shophouses, which include some businesses as well as residences.

Back to top

Historic Districts

Singapore's Historic Districts of Chinatown, Kampong Gelam, Little India, and Boat Quay are vibrant localities that are steeped in history and culture. These areas are home to a variety of architectural styles, ranging from the Early Shophouse Style to the Art Deco Shophouse Style, and are predominantly characterised by two- and three-storey shophouses.

Did you know... Some road names in Little India, like Buffalo Road and Kerbau Road, reflect the area s past as a hub for the cattle trade. During the early 19th century, cattle were not only a source of meat and milk but were also used to pull bullock carts which were a popular mode of transportation in Singapore back then.

Learn more about Singapore’s Historic Districts from these articles and books below.

Articles

URA announces its Conservation Master Plan

Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) unveiled its first Conservation Master Plan in 1986, identifying six historical areas for conservation: Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, Singapore River, Emerald Hill and the Heritage Link, which connects Empress Place, Fort Canning Park and Bras Basah Road. This master plan is the first conservation blueprint of Singapore s built heritage.

Source: URA announces its Conservation Master Plan (2014). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

</a><h5> Chinatown by Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon</h5>

In his 1822 master Town Plan, Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the whole area west of the Singapore River for a Chinese settlement known as the Chinese Campong (kampong in Malay means village ), envisaging that the Chinese would form the bulk of future town dwellers. Singapore, the new land of opportunity then, had attracted many immigrants from China, who expanded the original boundaries of this economically and culturally vibrant, self-contained town.

Source: Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon, Chinatown (2020, Jan). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

Kampong Glam by Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon

Kampong Glam (originally spelt Campong Gelam when it was named around 1830) is one of 10 subzones of the Rochor area located in the central region. Its road names, such as Bussorah, Muscat and Kandahar, were approved by the municipal commissioners at a meeting held in April 1910 and named after places in the Muslim world. It was gazetted as a conservation area in 1989.

Source: Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon, Kampong Glam (2016). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

Little India by Ong, Christopher

Little India is the heart of Singapore's Indian community, with its main commercial activity located along Serangoon Road. The area is bordered by Selegie Road and Lavender Street. Notable personalities who once lived in the area have streets named after them. For instance, Dunlop Street and Clive Street were named after European families who resided there in the 1840s. Belilios Lane and Belilios Road were named after I.R. Belilios, a prominent cattle trader from Calcutta who operated in the area from the 1840s onwards.

Source: Ong, Christopher, Little India (2009). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

Books

Historic area: conservation guidelines for Boat Quay conservation area

Urban Redevelopment Authority. (1991). Historic area: conservation guidelines for Boat Quay conservation area. Singapore: Urban Redevelopment Authority (Call no. RSING 363.69095957 HIS)

This is a documentation on the conservation of Boat Quay. It is divided into three parts: the history and architectural characteristics of the area, general development guidelines, and general restoration guidelines.

Chinatown: historic district

Urban Redevelopment Authority. (1995). Chinatown: historic district. Singapore: Urban Redevelopment Authority (Call no. RSING 363.69095957 CHI)

Chinatown was one of the historical areas identified in URA s Conservation Master Plan. Policies focused on conserving multi-ethnic and colonial built heritage to promote tourism and preserve local identity are reflected in this publication.

Leluhur: Singapore's Kampong Gelam

Hidayah Amin. (2019). Leluhur: Singapore’s Kampong Gelam. Singapore: Helang Books (Call no. RSING 305.8992805957 HID)

Kampong Gelam was established two centuries ago with the signing of a treaty between Sultan Hussein Mohamed Shah, Temenggong Abdul Rahman and Sir Stamford Raffles of the East India Company. It was once the centre of trade and commerce connecting Singapore to the rest of the Malay Archipelago, and served as a religious, intellectual, and social hub for the Malays in Singapore. In 1989, it was gazetted as a conservation area.

Once upon a time in Little India

Indian Heritage Centre. (2019). Once upon a time in Little India. Singapore: Indian Heritage Centre (Call no. RSING 305.8914 ONC)

The Indian Heritage Centre held an exhibition in 2017 called "Once Upon a Time in Little India", and this publication serves as the accompanying catalogue. It tells the story of Singapore s Little India through historical and contemporary lenses, and draws parallels with diasporic settlements across the globe.

Back to top

Residential Historic Districts

Emerald Hill, Cairnhill, and Blair Plain are Residential Historic Districts in central Singapore. Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for the affluent, they were designated as conservation areas in the 1980s by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. These districts are now popular tourist attractions known for their architecture and history.

Did you know... Al-Falah Mosque is the only mosque in the Orchard Road area. Located on the first two floors of Cairnhill Place at the junction of Cairnhill and Bideford roads, it is Singapore's first mosque in a high-rise building without the characteristic dome and minaret. It opened on 25 January 1987 and underwent renovation in 2015.

This set of articles and books will give you a better understanding of Singapore’s Residential Historic Districts.

Articles

Peranakan Place by Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon

Peranakan Place, previously known as Peranakan Corner, is a row of six two-storey shophouses located at 180 Orchard Road. Built around 1902, it is part of the Emerald Hill Conservation Area. The shophouses feature a blend of European and Chinese architectural styles, with doric columns, shuttered windows, and colourful ceramic tiles adorned with flower and bird motifs. In the 1930s, 40% of the tenants or owner-occupiers were Peranakans, who made Emerald Hill Road their fashionable abode.

Source: Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon, Peranakan Place (2018, Oct). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

Cairnhill by Ang, Seow Leng

Cairnhill was named after Charles Carnie, whose house was built on Carnie Hill around 1840. The area was later renamed Cairn Hill, and Carnie s house inspired the names Cairnhill Circle, Cairnhill Rise, and Cairnhill Road. The Residential Historic District of Cairnhill broadly refers to the areas around Cairnhill Road, which connects Scotts Road and Orchard Road. Notable landmarks include the Tan Chin Tuan Mansion, Cairnhill Arts Centre, two-storey terrace houses, and Al-Falah Mosque.

Source: Ang, Seow Leng, Cairnhill (2021, June). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

Neil Road by Thulaja, Naidu Ratnala

Neil Road, located in the Blair Plain conservation area, is a one-way street that starts at South Bridge Road and ends at two points (one leads into Kampong Bahru Road and the other to the junction of New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street). Formerly known as Silat, Selat or Salat Road, it was renamed in 1858 after Colonel Neil of the Madras Fusiliers, a hero of the 1857 Indian mutiny.

Source: Thulaja, Naidu Ratnala. Neil Road (2016). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, Nov 3.

Books

Emerald Hill: the story of a street in words and pictures

Lee, Kip Lin. (1984). Emerald Hill: the story of a street in words and pictures. Singapore: National Museum Singapore (Call no. RSING 959.57 LEE-[HIS])

This book delves not only into the history of Emerald Hill and its roads, but also details the architectural styles of the area. It was written by Lee Kip Lin, who was an architect, professor, and a mentor to prominent local architects. Throughout his life, Lee was a vocal advocate for the conservation of old buildings in Singapore.

Nutmeg, and a touch of spice: the story of Cairnhill Road

Siddique, Sharon. (2000). Nutmeg, and a touch of spice: the story of Cairnhill Road. Singapore: Sembawang Properties (Call no.: RSING 959.57 SID-[HIS])

This book delves into the history of Cairnhill, exploring the stories of its plantations, buildings, and personalities, while tracing the area's transformation over time.

NUS Baba House: architecture and artefacts of a Straits Chinese home

Foo, Su Ling, Lim Chen Sian, Wee Sheau Theng, and Yeo Kang Shua. (2016). NUS Baba House: architecture and artefacts of a Straits Chinese home. Singapore: NUS Baba House; Editions Didier Millet (Call no. RSING 728.089951059 FOO)

The NUS Baba House is a three-storey townhouse in the Blair Plain conservation area. This illustrated guidebook is for its visitors and those interested in Southeast Asia's social history. It features detailed photography and researched explanations of the house's objects and ornamental motifs, giving the reader a view into the domestic life of the Straits Chinese who used to lived in there.

Learning Package

Secondary settlements

Secondary settlements capture the history of Singapore’s urban transformation. Developed from the 1900s to the 1960s, the buildings in these areas make up the transitional urban areas between the historic districts of the city centre and the newer satellite towns. Low-rise shophouses of different architectural styles can be found in secondary settlements. They intersperse with high-rise developments from later decades, creating an interesting streetscape that mixes heritage and modernity.

Did you know... The recognition of Joo Chiat as a historic district started in 1991 when 518 buildings in the area were gazetted for conservation. In 1993, Joo Chiat was designated a conservation area. In 2011, Joo Chiat became Singapore’s first Heritage Town.

Learn more about the preservation of built heritage in Singapore and some of our secondary settlement conservation areas through the resources below.

Articles

To Wreck or to Recreate: Giving New Life to Singapore’s Built Heritage by Lim, Tin Seng

From individual buildings and landmarks to entire areas and districts, how has the conservation and preservation of built heritage in Singapore grown and evolved? This article tells the story of urban conservation and preservation in Singapore.

Source: Lim, Tin Seng (2019) To Wreck or to Recreate: Giving New Life to Singapore’s Built Heritage (2019, July-September).BiblioAsia. Retrieved 2023, November 14.

Secondary Settlements

This resource contains the conservation guidelines for secondary settlements in Singapore. Features brief historical and architectural highlights about each settlement, as well as conservation plans that show the boundary of the conservation areas, buildings to be conserved, national monuments to be preserved, and the envelope control sites.

Source: Secondary Settlements (2023, September). Urban Redevelopment Authority. Retrieved 2023, November 14.

Karikal Mahal: The Lost Palace of a Fallen Cattle King by Gibson, William

No. 25 and No. 26 Still Road are conserved buildings within Joo Chiat. They were originally part of a private residence, known as Karikal Mahal, and had included a third building. This article uncovers the fascinating history behind Karikal Mahal and its subsequent transformation.

Source: Gibson, William (2020) Karikal Mahal: The Lost Palace of a Fallen Cattle King (2020, October-December).BiblioAsia Retrieved 2023, November 14.

Former Victoria School building

The former Victoria School building is an architectural landmark in Jalan Besar. Designed by architect Frank Dorrington Ward (who also designed the former Supreme Court), two blocks of the former Victoria School were gazetted for conservation in 2007.

Source: Former Victoria School building (2013).Singapore Infopedia Retrieved 2023, November 14.

Books

Tiong Bahru : heritage trail

-. (2013). Tiong Bahru : heritage trail Singapore: National Heritage Board. (Call no.: RSING 915.95704 TIO -[TRA])

The area bounded by Seng Poh Road, Outram Road and Tiong Poh Road in Tiong Bahru was designated a conservation area in 2003. It includes the first public housing estate in Singapore, comprising 20 blocks of 2-to-5 storey flats built by the Singapore Improvement Trust (also known as SIT flats) in the 1930s. Explore the history and architecture of Tiong Bahru through this guide.

Balestier : a heritage trail : a companion guide

-. (2018). Balestier : a heritage trail : a companion guide Singapore: National Heritage Board. (Call no.: RSING 959.57 BAL -[HIS])

Named after Joseph Balestier, the first American Consul to Singapore, the Balestier area was given conservation status in 2003. This guide presents the history and social memories of the area through notable landmarks, including the conserved shophouses and terrace houses along Balestier Road.

The urban history of Jalan Besar

Woo, Pui Leng (2010). The urban history of Jalan Besar Singapore: Urban Redevelopment Authority. (Call no.: RSING 720.95957 WOO)

Jalan Besar was first given conservation status in 1991. This booklet traces the area’s urban development and highlights examples of houses and flats built in a variety of architectural styles between 1880s and 1960s. Also covers industrial structures, places of entertainment, open spaces, religious landmarks, and hotels. Includes photographs and plans.

Joo Chiat: a living legacy

Kong, Lily and T. C. Chang. (2001). Joo Chiat: a living legacy Singapore: Joo Chiat Citizens’ Consultative Committee in association with National Archives of Singapore. (Call no.: RSING q959.57 KON -[HIS])

Highlights the history and culture of Joo Chiat from the early 19th century until the 1990s. Covers Joo Chiat’s economic and community life, physical transformation, and urban conservation, including the rejuvenation of conserved shophouses, and the area’s growth as a cultural attraction for visitors to Singapore.

Back to top