No_5_1956 — Page 72

SINGAPORE TOWN PLANNING

and

was 31st

The main criticism levied functions were performed by the exhibition clear and attractive presentation and the first, the fulfilment of the statutory expert and friendly co-operation of the against the Hong Kong Town Planning Office has been the lack obligation to afford the public, and parti- Government Printer, who produced the cularly those with interests in land, an printed documents, and Tien Wah & Co.. of an overall scheme covering the opportunity to make objections to, or who produced the printed maps, was the future development of the Colony representations on, the Plan and, second, main factor in achieving this object. as a whole. It is interesting to to inform the public of the general effect

The closing date for the submission of read the following account taken the Pian, if approved would have on their

Printed copies of objections and representations about the from the Singapore Improvement daily lives and future. Trust Report of 1956 of what has sectional Central Area and Town Maps proposals of the Master Plan

March, 1956. All objections were submit- were available on sale at the exhibition, been accomplished in Singapore.

as were copies of the Reports and Written ted to the Ministry of Local Government, Statement, and in addition descriptive

Lands and Housing, and copies referred to On 30th November, 1955, in accordance

the Master Plan Team. The Plan was so with statutory requirements, the Board of pamphlets in Chinese, Jawi, Tamil

A large number was English were distributed free. Trustees submitted

Not only comprehensive that to the Minister of Local Government, Lands and Housing a

were the elements of the Master Plan expected, and there were in fact 306 sub- report of a diagnostic survey of Singapore

exhibited but also explanatory diagrams, missions relating to 324 objections. Many of these submissions were made without photographs, sketches and models of carried out during the period since 1st

existing and proposed development in full understanding of the proposals, January, 1952, together with a Master Pian indicating the manner in which it is Singapore and

on planning however, and without appreciation of the All objectors, or proposed that land in Singapore should be subjects were given. Senior officers of the flexibility of the Pian.

Team were available, with interpreters,

their representatives, were therefore inter- used, whether by the carrying out there- throughout the exhibition, which lasted viewed by senior officers of the Team and on of development or otherwise, and the six weeks, to answer questions about the as a result, 65 objections were withdrawn stages by which any such development Plan, and a system was instituted where and in over 160 cases it was possible to should be carried out. The Master Plan by written enquiries could be made about reach provisional agreements with objectors comprises the Colony Map, Town Map, the detailed effect of the Pan's proposals involving minor alterations to the Plan. Central Area Map, Programme Maps and on particular areas of land.

None of the objections received attacked Written Statement. It is supported by a

the fundamental principles of the Master Report of Survey and Reports of Study There was an excellent public response Plan. Groups and Working Parties.

and

film shows

it

a

officer of

to the Plan. Comment and criticism in the Press and elsewhere showed a keen The stage had now been reached when The main proposals of the Plan are that appreciation of the issues involved and it it was necessary under law to hold the growth of the City should be confined was particularly heartening to have the public inquiry into the outstanding objec- by a Green Belt of open space and that Plan regarded As а realistic attempt to tions to the Plan. Singapore was fortunate development should take place elsewhere solve the fundamental problems of land in being able to secure the services of Mr. by the construction of three new towns use and not સર а dream impossible of F.H. Carr, A.R.I.B.A., A.M.T.P.I. of the the expansion of existing villages; attainment. The Minister in his opening Ministry of Housing and Local Government that the outmoded central areas of the speech referred to the Plan as a challenge in the United Kingdom, as Inspector for

an was this enquiry. Mr. Carr is City should be redeveloped, that the road to the Island's enterprise and

considerable experience and professional system should be improved, that appro. accepted in this spirit. priate land should be reserved for parti-

standing and his conduct of the inquiry Attendance at the exhibition was heavy was impeccable in its impartiality and cular uses on a scale commensurate with and there were a large number of con- efficiency. The inquiry opened on irth the needs of the territory and that, to ducted tours, particularly of school child- June, 1956 and was completed on 26th remedy the existing deficiency and meet

ren. Copies of the Plan were sent to June. 99 cases were heard. It was the the demands of the rapidly increasing countries, municipalities and organisations first occasion on which such an enquiry population, a housing rate of 10,000 per- all over the world and the great interest had been held outside the United Kingdom manent dwellings а year should be taken

was indicated by the demand for achieved and maintained.

further copies. This demand continues and

Many objectors were legally represented On 3rd January, 1956, the Minister of at the close of 1956, some 250 copies each and the Trust was fortunate in retaining Mr. Leslie Rayner as its counsel. The Local Government, Lands and Housing,

of the Central Area and Town Maps had

proceedings were conducted in a manner the Honourable Inche Abdul Hamid bin been disposed of, 250 copies of the Reports similar to a court of law and a verbatim Haji Jumat opened a public exhibition of of Study Groups and Working Parties, 750 record was taken of the entire hearing. the Master Plan in the Victoria Memorial copies of the Written Statement and 1,000 It was a distinct feature of the inquiry, Hall. The exhibition was prepared by the copies of the Report of Survey. The Team remarked upon by the Inspector as Team with the co-operation of the Public has been gratified by the favourable com- usual, that every objector appeared at the Relations Department of Government and ments made on the standard of presenta- inquiry.

In many cases, the Inspector the Team wishes to express its apprecia- tion of the printed documents and plans; visited sites which were the subject of tion of the assistance received. Two main a determined effort was made to secure objections.

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UA-

The lighting is the main feature of the decor in the entrance foyer and grand

LIGHTING MERGES WITH ARCHITECTURE solid part of the console. When a three- five special fluorescent fittings were design- there are two 6-light indirect reflector colour change is switched on this impres- ed in the form of 'V' shaped reflectors fittings in satin brass, with spinnings sion of solidity disappears, giving way to with slotted sides, finished gilt colour, to coloured to match the carpet. a coloured lace-like tracery of light from house Osram 5 ft. 50W fluorescent lamps. the piercings which surround the organist. To attract

In the spacious waiting areas 'starlight fittings, similar to the night sky effect in the auditorium, form an attractive pat- tern on the ceilings, and general lighting is supplied by semi-indirect bowl fittings.

In order to convey a sense of movement towards the entrance doors of the balcony,

the patrons' attention, the fittings are mounted so that they appear to converge on a point inside the doors of the balcony.

FOYER AND STAIRCASE

General lighting of the foyer is by recessed tungsten fittings, and added in- terest is centred round the columns where

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staircase. Indirect pendants of modern design light the blue ceiling and recessed downlights enhance the warm colour of the carpet. Matching diabolo wall brac- kets similar to those in the auditorium add to the wealth of colour and the diabolo motif is continued on two 6-light fittings round the pillars.