Have you ever wondered how one could reshape Singapore’s urban landscape to better reflect its diverse heritage and build a stronger sense of community? Our fascinating proposal called “Co-Creating Changi” aimed to do just that, offering an innovative approach to urban development that puts citizens at the heart of the process.

This visionary concept was submitted to Singapore Land Authority and Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore. The proposal presented a bold idea for transforming Changi Point into a social anchor for Singapore, blending heritage with forward-thinking community engagement.

The “Co-Creating Changi” idea is rooted in Singapore’s journey from a colonial outpost to a global city-state. It recognizes two distinct periods in Singapore’s development.1959-1990: The “survival instinct” years under Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership. And 1991-2020: Three decades of futuristic development and global integration. Now, as Singapore stand at a crossroads in today’s time, the proposal suggested a third path: creating a “Social Tabula Rasa” for a new Singapore social fabric.

Key Features of the Proposal

1. People-First Approach: The heart of this concept is putting Singaporeans in the driver’s seat of urban development decisions.
2. Changi Explore App: A proposed digital platform to facilitate ongoing community input on events, activities, and development at Changi Point.
3. Tripartite System: The plan focuses on three components – Life (engaging diverse user groups), Space (place making for public areas), and Building (adaptive reuse of heritage structures).
4. Minimal Intervention: The idea emphasizes preserving existing heritage while introducing small, strategic additions to support new functions.

The proposal identifies Changi Point as an ideal location for this experiment in community-driven development. With its well-preserved historical and ecological heritage, Changi Point offers a unique opportunity to bridge Singapore’s past and future.

Imagining the Possibilities

A Changi Point where weekly food festivals celebrate its diverse culinary traditions, monthly cultural exhibitions showcase the arts of different communities, and annual events bring together Singaporeans of all backgrounds to shape the future of this shared space.

Through the proposed Changi Explore app, you could vote on upcoming events, suggest new ideas for using the space, and provide feedback on your experiences. This continuous loop of engagement could create a truly dynamic, evolving public space that reflects the changing needs and desires of our population.

To take a closer look at proposal, click here. This detailed document outlines the concept’s background, objectives, and potential implementation strategies.

A Vision, Not yet Reality

It’s important to note that “Co-Creating Changi” is currently a lauded idea. While it’s not an official plan, it offers a thought-provoking vision of how we might approach urban development in cities moving forward. As we continue to grow and evolve as a cities, ideas like this challenge us to think creatively about our shared spaces and how they can better serve people.

What do you think about this concept? Could citizen-driven urban planning be the key to strengthening our shared identity in cities? How would you like to see your cities developed in the future? Feel free to reach out to the team at mending tomorrow to co-create change.