Conservation wasn’t always a priority when Singapore was in its early stages of development. But a concerted effort to conserve the city’s old buildings started 30 years ago, and a new exhibition by URA traces that journey. The first Conservation Master Plan was proposed in the mid-1980s. But as early as the 1960s, conservation was already a key consideration despite urban renewal being a more urgent task. Alan Choe, head of the then Urban Renewal Unit, already recognised the importance of historical landmarks in redevelopment areas and sought to safeguard them. With support from then PM LKY, the Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) was established in 1971 to study sites of significance. In 1973, eight buildings, including Thong Chai Building, Thian Hock Keng and St Andrew’s Cathedral were granted protection as national monuments under PMB. In 1987, Tanjong Pagar was the first area to be selected for large-scale conservation by URA with 220 shophouses eventually restored. In the 1990s, URA rolled out more programmes, focusing on getting owners to see the value in restoring their buildings.... Continue Reading