Raffles Place to Welcome New Cycling Paths and More Green Spaces

A new park and several cycling paths will be the latest additions to the vicinity of Raffles Place to make it greener and more “people-friendly”  according to Mr Lawrence Wong, National Development Minister, at the Ground breaking Event for the renovation of the Golden Shoe Park last Feb. 9.

In a bid to revamp the Golden Shoe Car Park into a more “people-friendly” zone, a section of Market Street right in between the Republic Plaza and the old Golden Shoe Car Park will be made inaccessible to traffic and transformed into a public park. The approximately 1,000 sqm space will have a shaded linkway bridging the Golden shoe Car Park to the pedestrian network from the MRT Station at Raffles Place.

Image Credit: CapitaLand Website

Raffles Place Will be Integrated with More Green Space and Additional Cycling Paths

Footpaths will be widened along Malacca Street, Market Street, and Phillip Street to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists, with additional greenery by the roadside. There will also be additional cycling paths traversing these streets which lead up to nearby paths along the Central Area Cycling Network. Pedestrian walkways built next to Malacca Street will also provide sheltered access to nearby establishments from Raffles Place.

Image Credit: CapitaLand Website

Development plans for the new Golden Shoe Car Park were also revealed during the Ground breaking Event. Among of which include the construction of a public atrium on the ground floor, which can serve as venue for community and public events in the area.

The Market Public Centre which is currently operating near Telok Ayer Station will be relocated on the second and third levels of the development.

Furthermore, a four-storey establishment called Green Oasis will be developed in the area. This location will feature amenities such as treetop cocoons, a jungle gym, and sky hammocks along with beautiful cascading landscapes set on the rooftop where a restaurant and Singapore’s “highest urban farm” can be located, according to a press statement released by CapitaLand.

Image Credit: CapitaLand Website

The development set to hit Raffles Place will see the integration of sensors, facial recognition technology, and artificial intelligence technology for optimum user experiences and to enhance business operations in the area. These new technologies will complement the use and function of robots and digital technologies for cleaning and security purposes. The development will also feature a cycling path on its perimeter and some 165 biking slots as well as end-of-trip amenities for users.

The redevelopment project for Raffles Place was formulated through the joint efforts of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the National Parks Board and the Land Transport Authority, in coordination with Real Estate Developer, CapitaLand. The project will coincide with the redevelopment of the Golden Shoe Car Park into a 51-storey development at 88 Market Street bankrolled by CapitaLand Commercial Trust (CCT), CapitaLand Inc., and Mitsubishi Estate.

The development plans are expected to reach completion sometime during the first half of 2021.