Plans in the works for play spaces in Orchard Road, Marina Bay

Two plots of land in the heart of the city can soon become lifestyle destinations, as Singapore's urban planners look to create more space for recreation and play.

- Ng Keng Gene

One site is the former Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS) campus at 37 Emerald Hill Road, which can be turned into a lifestyle hub, possibly with restaurants, shops, arts and culture offerings, and even options for lodging.

The other site, an 18ha space around Marina One, is earmarked for development some time in the future, but the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that in the interim, it could be used for sports and pop-up markets, among other things.

These plans were showcased in an ongoing exhibition at The URA Centre on the agency's upcoming Recreation Master Plan. The URA is seeking public feedback as it continues to work out plans for the two sites.

Located near The Heeren and Design Orchard, the former SCGS campus includes three buildings that were conserved by the URA in 2019 – the main block; the principal's house; and the Song Ong Siang block, named after one of the school's founders.

SCGS moved from its Emerald Hill campus to Dunearn Road in 1994, and the campus was leased to various international schools. It is currently vacant.

When asked, a URA spokeswoman told The Straits Times that the blocks were conserved in 2019 because there were plans to use them for "new cultural and lifestyle uses".