The Straits Times
No-change Orchard - money could be better spent?
I refer to the $40-million makeover of Orchard Road in the article So, What's New? (LifeStyle, March 15).
Despite the best intentions of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), I think the money could have been better spent elsewhere. The beautiful flower towers and elegant glass panels are barely noticeable against the steel and concrete towers of the malls.
I have a few suggestions on where the money could have been spent.
Improve the pedestrian walkways and underpasses between shopping malls. Widen them, replace steps with ramps, escalators with travellators and/or lifts. This will make Orchard Road more accessible to people with prams, the elderly and those in wheelchairs.
Consider building elevated walkways connecting the shopping malls along both sides of Orchard Road. The walkways could also serve as blank canvases for artists and designers.
How about turning Orchard Road into a street for pedestrians only? With the Circle Line & Downtown Line MRT extensions, there would be less reason for Singaporeans to drive through Orchard Road. If needed, elevated roadways above Bukit Timah Road or a tunnel under Orchard Road itself could be built.
This would cost a lot more than $40 million but given the economic downturn and the drop in tourist arrivals and spending, it would be cheaper and less disruptive if we were to start work now.
Edwin Chow
I personally didn't notice any changes or help in my sales!
No-change Orchard - money could be better spent?
I refer to the $40-million makeover of Orchard Road in the article So, What's New? (LifeStyle, March 15).
Despite the best intentions of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), I think the money could have been better spent elsewhere. The beautiful flower towers and elegant glass panels are barely noticeable against the steel and concrete towers of the malls.
I have a few suggestions on where the money could have been spent.
Improve the pedestrian walkways and underpasses between shopping malls. Widen them, replace steps with ramps, escalators with travellators and/or lifts. This will make Orchard Road more accessible to people with prams, the elderly and those in wheelchairs.
Consider building elevated walkways connecting the shopping malls along both sides of Orchard Road. The walkways could also serve as blank canvases for artists and designers.
How about turning Orchard Road into a street for pedestrians only? With the Circle Line & Downtown Line MRT extensions, there would be less reason for Singaporeans to drive through Orchard Road. If needed, elevated roadways above Bukit Timah Road or a tunnel under Orchard Road itself could be built.
This would cost a lot more than $40 million but given the economic downturn and the drop in tourist arrivals and spending, it would be cheaper and less disruptive if we were to start work now.
Edwin Chow
I personally didn't notice any changes or help in my sales!
