Narratives of old buildings can be shaped to appeal to youth, says SLA CEO in ST podcast

SINGAPORE – The former site of Nan Chiau High School may not resonate with young people today, but shaping its narrative helped it become the vibrant lifestyle enclave New Bahru.

The site was “nothing exciting per se” before its rejuvenation, said Singapore Land Authority (SLA) chief executive Colin Low during The Straits Times’ video podcast The Usual Place.

But through the creation of “the narrative, resonance and stories behind the place”, New Bahru – an SLA-managed state property in Kim Yam Road, in River Valley – has become a destination concept with over 40 retailers that has gained traction among young people, he said.

He was responding to a question on how to get young people to care about heritage spaces when some old buildings do not have nostalgic appeal to them.

SLA played a part in shaping the creative cluster by tweaking the tender for New Bahru to place more importance on the quality of offerings there, rather than price, among other efforts, Mr Low said.

Mr Low and Mr Ng Wee Liang, who creates content on Singapore heritage, arts and culture, spoke with host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah on the topic: How Can Millennials Revive Historical Buildings?

Mr Ng said social media helps to raise awareness about heritage buildings, drawing people to visit those places and make memories there. The association that people have with old buildings would also drive them to fight for the preservation of those places.

More than 80 people attended the podcast recording organised by ST on Feb 12. It included a discussion with the audience.

The event, hosted by Money FM 89.3 producer-presenter Dan Koh, kicked off a series of ST Podcasts Live events in 2025. It is part of

ST’s 180th-year celebration

.

The podcast recording was held at the former Elections Department building in Prinsep Link,

now a social impact hub known as The Foundry

.

During the Q&A segment for The Usual Place, a member of the audience noted that rejuvenated properties tend to be more expensive, and asked how such redeveloped properties can be kept accessible to tenants or residents.

Citing The Foundry, which is also on state property, Mr Low said there were talks about using the building as a serviced apartment before it was turned into a social impact hub.

“We would make a lot of money if we lease it to a developer,” he said, adding that rather than focusing on profits, SLA took into consideration the many young people in the Prinsep area, and thought about how to bring value to the area.

After the hub was opened, young people set up start-ups and social enterprises there, he added.

A recording for the In Your Opinion podcast also took place on Feb 12.

ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and reporter Christie Chiu hosted a discussion on how music moves the mind, and its transformative impact on dementia care.

Mr Johnson Soh, founder of eldercare company SanCare Asia, and Ms Amanda Soon, programme executive at Fei Yue Community Services, spoke about how music and sound can be therapeutic for seniors, and how young people can get involved in volunteering to make a difference.

Mr Soh also demonstrated how an instrument called Crdl (pronounced Cradle) provides a sensorial experience for seniors, allowing them to translate their touch into sounds as a way of connecting with others.

Architect David Ty, 40, who was in the audience, said after the recording that he was looking forward to seeing how SLA can infuse the flavour of New Bahru into other state properties.

“Youth can save old buildings if rent is kept at an affordable rate, and if we hone unique talents,” he said, citing how social movement PlayPan

took over Peace Centre

and turned it into a creative hub before the former mall closed in January 2024.

The Usual Place podcast on the topic, How Can Millennials Revive Historical Buildings?, will air on Feb 20

on Omny Studio,

Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. The episode is in partnership with the Singapore Land Authority.

The

In Your Opinion podcast

will air on the same channels on March 12.

Correction note: An earlier version of this story quoted SLA chief executive Colin Low saying that the agency would make a lot of money if it had sold The Foundry to a developer. SLA has clarified that Mr Low meant this would have been the case if SLA had leased The Foundry to a developer.

Watch ST Podcasts Live events so far: 

https://str.sg/uGmo