Take a journey through Singapore’s urban transformation journey from the 1950s to present day at the From Mudflats to Metropolis exhibition, on display from now till 26 November 2023.
The name of the the exhibition is inspired by a line from a speech made by founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew during his visit to the Sree Narayana Mission on 12 September 1965. He said, “Over 100 years ago, this was a mudflat, swamp. Today, this is a modern city. Ten years from now, this will be a metropolis. Never fear.”
In addition to highlighting key milestones in Singapore’s urban development, such as the 1971 Concept Plan, the Garden City vision to City in Nature, the implementation of HDB’s Five-Year Building Programme and the cleanup of the Singapore River, the exhibition also seeks to reflect the values exemplified by Singapore’s founding leaders during the nation-building years.
This include values such as multiculturalism, boldness, resilience, service to others before self, integrity, and openness, and how these values continue to underpin Singapore’s long-term approach to planning and development.
The From Mudflats to Metropolis exhibition is divided into three zones that have been curated around to four themes:
- Housing a nation;
- Growing a garden city;
- Clean and sustainable water supply for all; and
- Making Singapore a great place to live, work and play
Urban Pocket Garden
Follow along the façade outside of The URA Centre where a graphical timeline chronicles Singapore’s urban transformation.
This leads to the Urban Pocket Garden, a display with lush landscaping, garden swings, planted arches, and a layered urbanscape scene that captures Singapore’s urban transformation through the decades.
Time Tunnel
Next, visit the Time Tunnel to learn about Singapore’s urban transformation milestones, from the early pre-independence years to present day.
Growing Aspirations Tree Grove
Lastly, head over to a digital tree and see it come to life as its various screens depict different time periods in Singapore’s urban transformation journey.
Visitors can also pen their future aspirations for Singapore at the Phalaenopsis orchid display.
Where to View From Mudflats to Metropolis
The exhibition will run from 4 September 2023 till 26 November 2023.
It will be be held at The URA Centre for the month of September.
It will then be roving to other locations across Singapore in October and November. The subsequent venues for the exhibition are:
| 7 to 15 October | Our Tampines Hub |
| 21 to 29 October | Northpoint City |
| 4 to 12 November | Heartbeat@Bedok |
| 21 to 26 November | VivoCity |
Entry to the exhibition is free. It is jointly organised by the Ministry of National Development, Housing & Development Board, National Parks Board, national water agency PUB and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Get more details about the exhibition.
If you are viewing the exhibition at the URA Centre, you may also wish to pay a visit to the Singapore City Gallery. Other exhibitions being held in conjunction with Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s 100th birth anniversary include the LKY100 trail at the National Museum of Singapore and The Boy Who Became Prime Minister exhibition at Children’s Museum Singapore.
