Conserved: 7,200 buildings and counting

URA marks 30 years of conservation, notes new approach towards restoration

Urban Redevelopment Authority's senior conservation director Teh Lai Yip (left) and group director of conservation Chou Mei at Tanjong Pagar Road on Oct 16, 2019. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
The former Archipelago Brewery Company in Alexandra Road is among the more than 20 buildings protected under the voluntary conservation scheme, which encourages private owners to step forward to conserve their buildings by offering incentives. PHOTO: ST FILE
Following a detailed study on protecting post-war buildings, the former Asia Insurance Building, the tallest building in South-east Asia at the time of its completion, is conserved. PHOTO: ST FILE
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Pearl Bank Apartments and a row of 1950s art deco walk-up flats in Upper Pickering Street are some of the buildings conservation veteran Teh Lai Yip wishes she could have saved.

In an interview with The Straits Times, Mrs Teh, who has been with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) since 1995, highlighted some of the challenges both she and the organisation have faced over the decades.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 21, 2019, with the headline Conserved: 7,200 buildings and counting. Subscribe