IMAGEABILITY OF SINGAPORE DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT

Abstract

This dissertation looks into the imageability issue of Singapore downtown arts district. The objectives are to investigate the imageability of Singapore downtown arts district, to examine the presence of performing arts facilities in the cognitive image of Singapore's downtown among youths, and to recommend important considerations to be taken in shaping a highly imageable and prominent Singapore downtown arts district. Kevin Lynch's landmark study on image of cities is adopted as the basis of the research methodology of this study. The data collection involves interviews with youths selected in the campus of the National University of Singapore. They are asked to provide descriptive answers, sketching of maps and identification of photographs. The collected and analyzed data provide an image of the Singapore downtown. Generally the downtown is perceived as a business-oriented place. Nevertheless, several performing arts facilities such as the Esplanade, Victoria Theatre, Victoria Concert Hall, Jubilee Hall and The Arts House are considerably identifiable. In other words, the other performing arts facilities which are further away from the area that contains the above mentioned facilities have a relatively weak presence in the youth's minds. These include The Substation, YMS Auditorium, Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert Hall, DBS Auditorium, DBS Arts Centre and The Black Box in Fort Canning Centre. Several recommendations are suggested to improve the imageability of the downtown arts district. They include installing complete system of signboards, introducing more activities, and adding more arts display and exhibition so as to create an atmosphere of the arts and culture in the area.