What are your thoughts on this?
It’s no wonder the Government is constantly looking for ways to improve our attractiveness as a tourist destination – after all, tourism has always been a major contributor to Singapore’s economy.
From filling up Singapore’s events calendar with the recent partnership with Disney, to enhancing our already impressive infrastructure, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is always finding ways to improve and promote our highly prided tourism industry. And now, future plans include – possibly – a fully pedestrianised Orchard Road.
Remember when a stretch of road between Scotts Road and Bideford Road was closed for Christmas? And when plans to make the 660m stretch of the road — running from ION Orchard to Ngee Ann City — into a pedestrian-only street on the first Saturday of every month from 6pm to 11pm became a reality?
A pedestrians-only road in the town area is not something new, but now, plans for a fully vehicle-free Orchard Road could become a reality in the near future, said Minister for Trade and Industry Mr S. Iswaran on Thursday (April 13).
According to the Straits Times, speaking at a tourism industry conference, he said government agencies such as Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Land Transport Authority are working with the private sector to make Orchard Road more pedestrian-friendly and conducive for street-level activities, and fully pedestrianising Orchard Road is one of the options they are exploring in the long term.
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Lionel Yeo added that streetscape improvements will be done to make the Orchard Road precinct more pedestrian-friendly.
“We are studying the reclamation of one lane along Orchard Road to improve the pedestrian experience and support more activations,” he said. “In response to stakeholder feedback about the attractiveness of scramble-crossings, such as those in Japanese cities, we intend to trial a scramble walk at a major junction along Orchard Road.”
Mr Yeo continued saying STB will explore enhancing pedestrian connectivity by minimising visual and physical barriers along Orchard Road that divide one side from the other.
“The physical plan for Orchard Road must be complemented by experiential elements. We want to encourage new experiential concepts and more street-level pop-up activations,” said Mr Yeo.
“This can be done by allowing the temporary use of existing vacant sites such as the open air carparks at Grange Road and Angullia Park. We can also review guidelines for temporary structures and uses within the public realm.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section below!
