Singapore's forgotten spaces: What can be done with them?

We're a small country and rush-hour commuters jostle for standing room on trains.

So it could come as a surprise that there are underused and overlooked pockets of public spaces in our city.

What exactly are these public spaces?

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has identified them here:

Photo: URA

For example, there are pockets of spaces between buildings, hidden laneways and forgotten backlanes.

Can you come up with unique ways to transform these spaces into something more meaningful?

Submit your idea to the URA and you may be one of 10 people to walk away with $1,000 cash. 

Some guidelines for those who are interested: The ideas should relate to the surrounding context, easily implemented and sustainanle in the long run.

Here are some ideas that The New Paper came up with:

1) Graffiti space

Nothing makes a space more vibrant than tasteful graffiti.

After all, beautiful murals have given more character to places like Haji Lane.

Graffiti lines an alley between Haji Lane and Arab Street near a traditional shop selling textiles. PHOTO: BT

More street art in Singapore? Why not?

And street art that depicts the history or character of the corresponding neighbourhood could make residents feel more united.

 

2) Karaoke corner

What better tool to bond than with some good old karaoke?

​Imagine a nice cathartic karaoke session on weekend evenings!

 

3) Rest corner

You can never have too many benches and swings in a fast-paced society like Singapore.

The travelling playground installation at the CBD area to commemorate 50 Years of Greening Singapore. PHOTO: ST

It would be nice to have some old-school swings just like the ones we have at the CBD.

They would serve as timely reminders that we should take a chill pill sometimes.

 

4) Bird corner

Details of traditional bamboo birdcages in a shop at Chin Swee HDB estate. PHOTO: ST

In some housing estates, retirees can be seen chatting while exchanging stories about their birds.

A space that boasts various bird cages with different birds can be a point of conversation between the young and the old.

 

5) Learning space 

For the practical-minded, who can use this location to learn different skills from volunteers - be it dance, music or arts.

If you have better ideas (and we're sure you do), you can submit your entries by hand or mail between May 14 and June 26 2015.

The winning entries will be announced later this year. Up to 10 winners will win $1,000 cash.

For more information,click here.