School: NAFA-UAL
Introduction:
From the first bullock carts and sampans to the gleaming metro trains and buses of today, transit has been the constant partner in our nation’s story, from the bullock carts that helped our forefathers in the early days of colonial Singapore to the bustling trains that help us in our regular commute.Yet, as we advance into a middle-aged nation, we risk losing the connection that we have with our past and with it, the sense of our belonging and identity. Part of that connection is our transit history, which is much more in-depth and rich than we normally assume. Despite efforts made at both the state and community levels to increase public knowledge and awareness of Singapore’s history, more can be done, especially as the pressure of development means that more of our heritage, particularly in niche topics such as transit, is sacrificed.
Introduce a Heritage Bus Lane tracing Singapore’s transport evolution, running from Keppel Road (Tanjong Pagar Railway Station) through Anson and Robinson Roads to the Civic District.
This route is selected for its historical and central significance, embodying the nation’s transport milestones over the decades.
The lane is divided into three thematic sections, each representing a distinct era:
1. 1920s–30s: The dawn of urban mobility – bullock carts, trams, and the first motorbuses.
2. 1950s–70s: The post-war years – public transport expansion and industrial growth.
3. 1980s–90s: The modernisation era – MRT launch, new bus fleets, and iconic orange shelters.
2. Re-imagined Bus Stops
Design modern bus stops inspired by heritage architecture, blending nostalgia with contemporary comfort and accessibility, to provide a visual continuity and kinship between the past and the present.
We will incorporate visual and tactile elements from past designs, such as the distinct orange bus stops of the 1980s and early trolleybus motifs.
Each stop serves as a storytelling node, featuring:
Problem Statement:
Due to a lack of focus and energy towards preserving and telling our transit heritage, a key thread of the Singapore story is being left out, leaving the public less informed about their own history.Opportunity Statement:
Kickstart Singapore’s transit heritage conversations into the mainstream consciousness through placemaking.Proposal:
1. Heritage Bus LaneIntroduce a Heritage Bus Lane tracing Singapore’s transport evolution, running from Keppel Road (Tanjong Pagar Railway Station) through Anson and Robinson Roads to the Civic District.
This route is selected for its historical and central significance, embodying the nation’s transport milestones over the decades.
The lane is divided into three thematic sections, each representing a distinct era:
1. 1920s–30s: The dawn of urban mobility – bullock carts, trams, and the first motorbuses.
2. 1950s–70s: The post-war years – public transport expansion and industrial growth.
3. 1980s–90s: The modernisation era – MRT launch, new bus fleets, and iconic orange shelters.
2. Re-imagined Bus Stops
Design modern bus stops inspired by heritage architecture, blending nostalgia with contemporary comfort and accessibility, to provide a visual continuity and kinship between the past and the present.
We will incorporate visual and tactile elements from past designs, such as the distinct orange bus stops of the 1980s and early trolleybus motifs.
Each stop serves as a storytelling node, featuring:
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Heritage markers and interpretive panels
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Interactive digital displays and QR codes for deeper exploration
- Audio or AR experiences highlighting voices, vehicles, and visuals from Singapore’s transit past