Protecting Singapore's Heritage

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 the Urban Redevelopment Authority 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 Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the Preservation of Monuments Board 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 the Preservations of Monuments Board.