COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE HERITAGE SECTOR IN 2026

EXPANDING AND ENHANCING OUR HERITAGE INSTITUTIONS

NHB will be expanding and enhancing our heritage institutions' efforts to strengthen Singapore ethnic identities, including cultural placemaking in the Historic Districts. These efforts include:

Reopening of Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) - MHC will reopen on 25 April 2026, with an expanded mandate and capabilities to:
1. Enhance cultural placemaking efforts in the Kampong Gelam Historic District.
2. Establish a dedicated research unit to build knowledge and expertise on Singapore Malay culture and heritage.
3. Launch the Intangible Cultural Heritage mentorship programme, a capability development programme to nurture the next generation of Malay cultural practitioners.
Enhance community engagement by the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) - IHC will deepen its engagement with stakeholders across the Singapore Indian communities to co-develop a long-term vision of its role as a key node for Singapore Indian culture, as well as cultural placemaking efforts for the Little India Historic District.

SUPPORTING STAKEHOLDERS TO STRENGTHEN PLACE CHARACTER OF OUR HISTORIC DISTRICTS

NHB will continue to support and equip stakeholders to strengthen the place character of our Historic Districts. The initiatives comprise the following:

Formation of the Placemaking Project Office (PPO) - The new PPO, under the ambit of the Interagency Taskforce for Heritage Businesses, Traditional Activities and Cultural Life, will work with community stakeholders and business associations in the Historic Districts to develop their placemaking capabilities.

Launch of Little India Citizen Engagement Project (LICEP) – Citizen volunteers will be engaged to document heritage business stories in the Little India Historic District, deepening understanding and appreciation of these key community markers and our living heritage within the precinct. It builds on the success of past editions carried out in Kampong Gelam and Chinatown in 2022 and 2025 respectively.

LAUNCH OF NEW HERITAGE ACTIVATION NODES (HAN)

NHB will be launching two new HANs in 2026, empowering the community in Telok Blangah and Tiong Bahru to celebrate and champion their neighbourhoods' heritage.

HAN@Telok Blangah will be launched with community organisation, Participate in Design, as the anchor community partner to celebrate local heritage and foster community engagement. It will grow and empower a pool of heritage volunteers, who will help shape the node's programmes alongside other Telok Blangah residents.

HAN@Tiong Bahru will be launched with the Tiong Bahru Community Centre to partner the community in the precinct. It will celebrate the area's unique public housing architecture, long-time religious sites and heritage businesses, and lesser-known histories through regular activations.

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