A museum, neighbourhood heritage corners and galleries are some initiatives Queenstown residents can expect, as part of upcoming plans to celebrate the history of their estate.
This is according to the “My Queenstown Heritage Blueprint 2020”, which was developed by civic group, My Community, and Queenstown Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC). A media tour of the initiatives was organised on Wednesday (Aug 13).
One of the initiatives is a museum that will serve as a repository of shared memories and will house exhibits such as music scores of 1960s band, The Quests, which was started in Queenstown Secondary Technical School. A network of galleries, neighbourhood heritage corners and markers will also be installed in various parts of the estate by 2020, according to the blueprint.
In addition, following the success of the inaugural Queenstown Festival in 2013, the festival will take place biannually. It will feature exhibitions, concerts and performances inspired by Queenstown or performed by residents.
By the end of the year, residents can also look forward to trail markers and a revised mobile application for “My Queenstown Heritage Trail”.
Said Dr Chia Shi-Lu, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: “Although Queenstown is small in size, our stories are big in heart and soul, and certainly speak volumes of life in the 1960s and 1970s.”
The blueprint also complements upcoming development projects in Margaret Drive and Dawson.
In June, the authorities announced that 31 blocks at Tanglin Halt Road and Commonwealth Drive will be redeveloped under the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme. Residents from these blocks will be rehoused in new flats at Margaret Drive, Dawson Road and Strathmore Avenue, which will be ready by 2020.
Academics, policymakers and residents will also have a platform to discuss heritage and development issues in the “My Queenstown Symposium” series.
“Queenstown is the first satellite estate in Singapore and it contains memories of many Singaporeans. While we look forward to the proposed rejuvenation of the estate, we will also work hard to retain and incorporate our history and heritage into the new developments so that Queenstown will always be our home – with hope and with a heart,” Dr Chia said.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 13 Aug 2014