... that you can transform streets in Singapore into lively places for you and your neighbors —and even get financial support for it?

The Streets for People programme (sponsored by the URA) provides support for community-initiated car-free-zones which transform our streets into meaningful public spaces on a short-term or regular basis.The URA can support you with a) Road Closure Essentials, such as safety barriers, signage etc. as required by teh agencies b) Seed funding of up to $5,000 (on a reimbursement basis) to cover small value purchases for essential items that are directly related to the organisation of the road closure.

To apply for this suppoert you need to know where and what do want to do. How can you transform the streets of Singapore? can you offer activities that engage neighbors or visitors to the area? Here are some of the things you could do:

• Organize Dancing, Yoga, Tai Chi lessons!
• Organize a festival with your community and share with your family and neighbors!
• Work together with local businesses and explore ways to make regular street closures!

The following factors can help to identify a good location for a road closure.

• Traffic impact: Ideal streets for a closure have lower traffic levels and have alternative routes. Additionally streets with bus routes should be avoided, because changing such routes is difficult and expensive. The map below helps you find roads with bus lanes.
• Accessibility: Is this place easily accessible for pedestrians? Is there a bus stop nearby? The map shows you bus stops, MRT stations and taxi stands.
• Community support: Are there communities or businesses in the area that can participate in the activities that you are planning? Gaining their support is a key step. The map below helps you to identify communities and businesses that might join your project.
• Safety and security: Keep in mind that priority should be given to the safety of pedestrians. Also access for emergency vehicles should be granted. A clear path of 4.5-6 meters should be kept free.

If you already have an idea and a location use to the concept tool to further develop it and send it to the authorities!

This maps shows you elements that you should consider when planning a street closure. For example, if there is a bus line in the street you want to close, you should consider other options.

• Local shops: Local bussiness can benefit from a road closure and be important partners. It is important to balance their interests with the benefits of the closure for the overall community. The map shows restaurants, bars and other shops that can participate.
• Bus lines: Changing the route of a bus line is inconvinient and expensive. A new route should be planned and the public has to be informed about the changes. It is recommended to choose streets that do not have bus lines.
• Car parks and car park entrances: A large car park entrance on the street that you are planning to close can complicate the approval. If there is a second entrance for the car park it might be possible to close one.
• Public transport, taxi stands, public toilets, public waste baskets: These facilities are important for your visitors and for events that are connected to the closure. How will the visitors reach the closure? Do you need toiletts? How can you dispose the waste generated by the event? Have you thought about making a zero waste event?
• Local communities: community centers or religious communities can help to organize a road closure. You should get in touch with them. However a road closure can not be only motivated by religious reasons.

Shops

•   Ice cream shop
•   Restaurants
•   Cafes
•   Other shops

Communities

•   Community centers
•   Places of workship by religion
•   Other places of worship

Facilities

•   MRT
•   Bus stop
•   Taxi stand
•   Public toilet
•   Public toilet