Speech by 2M Indranee Rajah at the Launch of "From Rail to Trail" Exhibition
Jan 17, 2025
Introduction
Good morning, I am delighted to be here today, to launch the “From Rail to Trail” exhibition, as part of the Draft Master Plan 2025 review, or DMP2025.
DMP2025 is a critical exercise where we translate the broad strategies from the Long-Term Plan to tangible plans and outcomes. One of its key themes, “Stewarding Nature & Heritage”, focuses on enhancing our green and blue spaces, as well as strengthening the unique character and heritage of our neighbourhoods.
The Rail Corridor: Bringing plans to life
The Rail Corridor is a fitting example of this vision in action.
When the former railway land was returned to Singapore in 2011, it offered us a rare opportunity to reimagine a 24km stretch of land from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands. Our vision for the Rail Corridor is for it to be an extraordinary cross-island green spine and an inclusive community space. Together with the community, we have worked towards this vision in three ways.
First, we have preserved the Rail Corridor as a continuous green spine for nature to thrive and for communities of all ages and abilities to enjoy. To this end, the National Parks Board has planted native trees and shrubs to enhance its rustic charm while creating habitats for biodiversity.
Second, we continue to commemorate the heritage of the Rail Corridor by conserving, restoring, and repurposing key railway buildings and elements. For example, iconic railway heritage elements, like the truss bridges at Bukit Timah and Upper Bukit Timah, have been sensitively restored to preserve their character and improve accessibility.
Third, we will continue to optimise the land around the Rail Corridor to meet Singaporeans’ needs for homes, jobs, and amenities.
Over 14 years, we have worked with residents, students, nature and heritage groups, and professionals to transform the Rail Corridor into a vibrant community space where heritage, nature and community meet. Today, visitors can enjoy over 21km of continuous connectivity from Kranji MRT station to Spooner Road, with more than 50 access points and several community nodes, such as the former Bukit Timah Railway Station, that have already been opened.
Connecting communities with an inclusive Rail Corridor
[New] Today, I am pleased to share plans for two new community nodes at Queensway and Stagmont Ring.
Queensway Node
Located under the Queensway viaduct, the Queensway node will be repurposed into an extraordinary space for community use.
Last year, URA engaged nearby residents and stakeholders to gather their ideas for this new node. Building on community feedback, URA partnered the Singapore Institute of Architects to launch a design competition for this node in September 2024, inviting professionals to reimagine this space.
URA received 20 innovative submissions, featuring ideas to transform this space into a vibrant, multi-functional area for recreation and community activities.
[New] The winning design, from a team led by Samuel Lee from Designshop Pte Ltd, features a heritage gallery that commemorates the former Boh Beh Kang village, a central events plaza, and a rustic garden that pays tribute to the area’s plantation history. We invite the public to provide your feedback on the winning proposal, and will work with Samuel and his team to refine it. This node is slated for completion in 2027, alongside nearby residential developments.
Stagmont Ring Node
[New] Located along the northern Rail Corridor, the new community node at Stagmont Ring will take advantage of its proximity to Yew Tee estate, Pang Sua canal and the future Downtown Line MRT station. Although this node is planned for completion around 2035, your early ideas and feedback are vital to help agencies in developing plans that align with the community’s aspirations.
Strengthening heritage and identity in our future city
We will continue celebrating and enhancing Singapore’s rich railway heritage, as we shape upcoming plans for the Rail Corridor to strengthen our sense of identity and make Singapore a more endearing home.
A beloved National Monument, the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station will be transformed into a key gateway to the Rail Corridor and the Greater Southern Waterfront.
Last year, URA launched the “From Dreams to Rail-ity” competition and received over 90 local and international submissions. I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm and innovative concepts to breathe new life into this historic railway station. Allow me to share some highlights from the top three winning proposals:
The winning proposal by Kenneth Chiang, a local architectural assistant, harmonised old and new architectural elements of the building and created new community gathering spaces, such as transforming the front forecourt to a landscaped lawn for events and gatherings while concealing utilities and services below.
The second-place proposal by PTW Architects from the United States of America features transparent walkways that showcase the historic railway tracks while increasing the walkable area for visitors at the platforms.
The third-place proposal by ACME Space from the United Kingdom imagined a sunset terrace in the main building that offers views of the train platforms.
URA will study how to incorporate the ideas gathered into the detailed plans for the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. The works to sensitively re-purpose the station will be carried out after 2028, when the Cantonment MRT station and building restoration works are completed.
Conclusion: Shaping the future together
The Rail Corridor reflects Singapore’s commitment to long-term planning and bringing plans to fruition. Together, we have transformed the Rail Corridor into a space that celebrates our past, embraces nature and meets the needs of future generations.
And there’s still more to do. We invite you to share your ideas for the next phase of this journey. Let’s work together to bring this shared vision to life.
Thank you all and please enjoy the exhibition.