Tuesday, September 26, 2006
[RealEdge] BT : URA studies conservation of historic structures
| Published September 26, 2006  | |||
| URA studies conservation of historic structures Pavilions, gun batteries, water tank towers under consideration
By ARTHUR SIM
GATES, bridges and even water tank towers could soon be officially recognised as repositories of national identity.
Grace Fu, Minister of State for National Development, yesterday said that structures other than buildings can mark a place or make it memorable. She said that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is studying the merits of historic structures like pavilions, gun batteries and even water tank towers for conservation. Ms Fu was speaking at the presentation ceremony of URA's Architectural Heritage Awards yesterday which this year saw seven winners, including the old St Andrew's School and Church at Francis Thomas Drive. Also on the list were The New Majestic Hotel, the former homes of customs officers at 42-45 Mosque Street, a black-and-white bungalow at Draycott Drive, a shophouse in Blair Plain and a mixed-use development at Tan Quee Lan Street. The buildings all date back to Singapore's colonial era. Recently, however, URA has begun to gazette post-war buildings for conservation as well. Last year, the former Jurong Town Hall, built in 1974, along with several other post-war buildings were given conservation status. Ms Fu said: 'Conservation is not just for the nostalgic, or the lovers of bygone days, but is an integral part of our effort to build up the social and historical foundation of Singapore.' As part of this, she announced that several post-war buildings at the former University of Singapore's Bukit Timah campus, including the Science Tower and Raffles Hall, will also be conserved. Also to be conserved is the Customs Harbour Branch building next to Clifford Pier. There are buildings on the old University of Singapore campus that date back to the 1920s which are already being considered for 'national monument' status by the Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB). Teh Lai Yip, deputy director of the URA conservation unit, said that the national monuments under PMB have 'higher historical importance'. Ms Teh said that as a guide, buildings have to be at least 30 years old before being considered for conservation.
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