About

The gallery tells the story of Singapore’s remarkable physical transformation – past, present, and future. Besides being an informational and education hub for the public and professionals to appreciate city planning, urban development, and architecture, visitors can also discover and participate in the story of the nation’s planning efforts.  it was established in January 1999 Formerly known as the URA Gallery. Singapore City Gallery, the only permanent exhibit that tells the story of the nation's physical planning efforts, has 10 thematic areas and more than 50 audiovisual and interactive exhibits occupying the first three floors of the Urban Redevelopment Authority building on Maxwell Road in the Central Area. 

The Singapore City Gallery provides an overview of Singapore and its urban planning efforts. View a 270-degree show and see scale models of the Singapore skyline. The Singapore City Gallery is an interactive, child-friendly showcase of Singapore’s architectural development from a semi-rural fishing village into the modern city that it is today. It boasts one of the world’s largest architectural models, a 3D bird’s eye view of Singapore’s central district built to scale.

In addition to this impressive model, the other exhibits at the gallery offer visitors a greater understanding and appreciation of the challenges faced by city planners and architects as they seek to make optimal use of Singapore’s limited land space whilst preserving its architectural heritage. There are models of historically significant buildings, such as the ‘five-foot way’ shophouses that have been preserved in the Bugis and Chinatown areas.

The art and science of constructing the buildings that form Singapore’s memorable skyline are also explained in great detail, accompanied by a wealth of photographs and videos that contrast the differing structures along Orchard Road, the Singapore River, Marina Bay, and Bras Basah/Bugis. Although not a conventional ‘art’ gallery by any measure, the Singapore City Gallery offers a fascinating insight into the mechanics of creating a city that is both beautiful and functional, and it is certain to interest those with a keen interest in architecture.

Timings