The Central Region is one of the five regions in the city-state of Singapore defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority for urban planning purposes. It encompasses the country's principal commercial, civic and cultural districts, including the Central Area, and serves as the core of Singapore's metropolitan region. Comprising of land area, it includes 11 planning areas (PAs) within the Central Area, as well as another 11 more outside it. The region is home to many of Singapore's national monuments as it was historically the area where the city was first founded and consists of country's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Although the Central Area is by nature chiefly commercial, especially the area in the Downtown Core, it also includes numerous residential housing

History

Former City of Singapore

200px|thumb|right|The outline of the [[City of Singapore (historical entity)|city highlighted in a 1959 map of Singapore by the British Information Services.]]

The Central Region broadly corresponds to the historical extent of the former City of Singapore, which was the captial city of Singapore during the British colonial period and shortly after self-government. The City of Singapore was formally administered by the City Council of Singapore between 1951 and 1959, before its functions were absorbed into the broader state governance structure following full internal self-government in 1959.

During this period, the city area encompassed Singapore’s principal commercial port, administrative centre, and surrounding residential districts. Following the separation of Singapore from Malaysia and full independence on 9 August 1965, the city was completely dissolved.

Although the city ceased to exist after 1965, its core urban area continued to develop as Singapore’s central business and civic district, forming the basis of what is today the Central Area within the Central Region.

For recreation, plans were made to further extend the park connectors to new and existing parks in the region. New sporting facilities were also introduced, such as the redevelopment of the Kallang Sports Hub. Building conservation will continue to be enforced, and nodes for niche activities will be provided for the masses. Plans for spaces catering specifically for youth activities near Orchard Road are a case in point.

300px|center|thumb|An ever-changing model at the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority|URA Gallery.]]

Geography

With a land area of , the Central Region is situated on the southern part of Singapore Island, constituting a total of 21 planning areas. It is the only region to border all the other regions and the Straits of Singapore to the south. The region is also home to the 3.2 kilometers long Singapore River, from its source at Kim Seng Bridge to where it empties into Marina Bay. The region also features Singapore's natural tallest point – Bukit Timah Hill with a height of 163.63 metres (537 ft.) above ground level.

Economy

The Central Region is Singapore's principal economic and financial hub. It contains the country's central business district within the Downtown Core, including major commercial areas around Raffles Place, Marina Bay and Shenton Way. Numerous multinational corporations, financial institutions, government agencies and technology firms maintain offices in the region.

Demographics

As of 2020, the Central Region had a population of 922,580 residents. The region contains a diverse mix of mature housing estates, high-density urban neighbourhoods and commercial districts. Major residential areas include Toa Payoh, Queenstown, Bishan and Bukit Merah.

Transport

The Central Region serves as Singapore's primary transport hub and is connected by an extensive network of expressways, arterial roads and rail lines. Major expressways serving the region include the Central Expressway, Ayer Rajah Expressway, Pan Island Expressway and Marina Coastal Expressway.

The region is served by multiple lines of the Mass Rapid Transit system, including the North–South, East–West, Circle, Downtown and Thomson–East Coast lines. Major interchange stations include City Hall, Raffles Place, Dhoby Ghaut and Bishan.

Maritime facilities along the southern waterfront historically formed the core of the Port of Singapore, although many port operations are progressively relocating westward toward Tuas.

Planning Areas

  • Bishan
  • Bukit Merah
  • Bukit Timah
  • 11 planning areas of the Central Area
  • Geylang
  • Kallang
  • Marine Parade
  • Novena
  • Queenstown
  • Southern Islands
  • Tanglin
  • Toa Payoh

References

  • Central Region, Singapore