URA's new online mag is Going Places

By Tay Suan Chiang, The Straits Times, 8 May 2012

THINK you have a great idea on how to plan the city better? The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) wants to hear from you.

Last month, it launched Going Places Singapore, a new online magazine in which the public can suggest ideas that can help its urban planners do their work better.

Going Places Singapore is put together by a team of 14 people, comprising a mix of staff from URA's corporate communications department and freelance writers.

The magazine covers themes such as design, heritage, people, projects and places. A URA spokesman said new stories will be uploaded weekly.

Current stories include a Joo Chiat resident's mission to bring charm back to his neighbourhood and an article on conserved buildings given new uses.

'We hope to provoke conversations about how we can make a difference in transforming our home and how our environment is influencing our identities,' said the spokesman. 'We also hope to inspire and interest the community to take a greater interest in shaping their environment.'

The site at www.goingplacessingapore.sg has garnered more than 4,000 hits since its launch.

Student Maria Lam, 23, is already a fan.

'The articles offer a fresh perspective on different areas in Singapore,' she said.