PEDESTRIANIZATION EFFORTS WORLDWIDE TO FACILITATE STREET EVENTS

Abstract

Singapore faces the challenge of providing high liveability within its land constraints and high-density population. Previous studies focused on permanently pedestrianized streets and typically covers countries without the challenge of land scarcity. The research covers the evaluation of the existing Car-Free Zones (CFZs) in Singapore, conducts global case studies and identifies learning points that can be applied in Singapore. Recommendations to improve CFZs in Singapore were also proposed in the paper. Two research hypotheses guides the research, namely (i) CFZs facilitates pedestrianization and; (ii) CFZs and pedestrianization when coupled together can be used as part of Singapore’s destination marketing strategy. Literature studies, interviews with relevant agencies, surveys and case studies are used in the research. The existing CFZs demonstrates the Government’s commitment towards pedestrianization, yet the lack of management commitment in organizations, lack of coordination and passive approach taken by the Government reduces the effectiveness of CFZs in Singapore. The surveys conducted also highlight the lack of publicity of pedestrianization and CFZs in Singapore. The case studies highlighted the importance of community engagement, commitment and coordination in driving pedestrianization. Going forward, the Government may consider working with Community Centres to form a hubs-and-spokes network of CFZs. The ‘Jobs-to-be-Done Theory’ could also be used to guide the organization and executing of CFZs. The paper conclude that CFZs help to facilitate pedestrianization if active communication is carried out. CFZs also have the potential to be used as part of Singapore’s destination marketing strategy. Limitations of the paper includes time and resource constraints and the intangibility of vibrancy measures.