SINGAPORE – Singapore’s premier shopping belt, Orchard Road, could become fully pedestrianised as part of bold plans to transform the precinct into a distinctive shopping and lifestyle destination, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran said on Thursday (April 13).
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 longer term.
But for a start, the agencies are considering a road reduction programme and opening up existing parcels of State land on Orchard Road to expand the pedestrian mall, he said.
Giving more details of the plans, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Lionel Yeo said that streetscape improvements will be done to make the Orchard Road precinct more pedestrian-friendly.
The Government is studying the reclamation of one lane along Orchard Road to improve pedestrian experience and support more pop-up concepts and events.