Marina Bay iconic, like Shanghai's Bund
It will be platform, catalyst for S'pore's future growth: PM
By Nur Dianah Suhaimi
THE new downtown that is Marina Bay will help distinguish Singapore in the same way the Bund area now defines Shanghai.
Predicting this yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the area, with its financial district and own distinct skyline, will be a platform and catalyst for Singapore's future growth.
And with attractive outdoor features like the Helix bridge and a 3.5km long promenade - he strolled on it yesterday - it will be a getaway for Singaporeans too, especially in the evenings and weekends.
This view of the Marina Bay as a new centre of activity was detailed by Mr Lee when he opened two key attractions there: the Waterfront Promenade and Marina Bay City Gallery.
His last outline of what the area would look like came at the National Day Rally last year, when he took his audience on a simulated fly-through of Marina Bay.
But yesterday, much of that on-screen and technological animation was presented as reality as Mr Lee - who also flagged off participants of The New Paper Big Walk - toured the promenade route linking Marina Centre, Collyer Quay and the Marina Bayfront.
Speaking of the area, Mr Lee said it would 'eventually, in fact, not so long in the future' become a new downtown 'with a signature skyline'.
'It will define Singapore in the same way that the Bund defines Shanghai,' he said.
The Bund is Shanghai's riverfront promenade and home to historic buildings, banks, hotels and leisure outlets.
'The private sector has shown its confidence in Marina Bay. Already it has attracted $20 billion of private sector investments in real estate,' he noted.
'And we've got firms - local and from around the world: America, Australia, Europe, the Middle East. They have come, they are optimistic and bullish about the developments. In fact, they would like us to develop it further.'
His hope is that in years to come, the area will be host to the regional and global headquarters for companies operating in Asia 'and be a symbol of what Singapore is and what Singapore will be'.
Despite the newness of the area, Marina Bay is attracting a high level of interest from Singaporeans too, he said.
'I came here one evening a few weeks ago, walked along the bridge and the bay, and it was full of people: Families, children, courting couples, tourists taking in the sights, enjoying the atmosphere.'
There will be venues for public and mass outdoor events, with Urban Redevelopment Authority chief executive Cheong Koon Hean describing the area as a place where 'we can work, live and play 24/7'.
But Marina Bay will not be the only part of Singapore to see improvements.
'All over our island, we are building, improving, upgrading to continue to build the best home for all Singaporeans,' Mr Lee said.
'And so long as we make our economy prosper, so long as we work hard, together we can make this the best home - and improving every year so that we are proud of it and we can look forward to something better all the time.'
ndianah@sph.com.sg
Additional reporting by Andrea Ong
A couple watercyling on Marina Bay's Waterfront Promenade (above), which PM Lee Hsien Loong opened yesterday. He likened Marina Bay to Shanghai's iconic Bund, a riverfront promenade home to historic buildings, banks, hotels and leisure outlets. Mr Lee also saw Marina Bay becoming a lifestyle getaway for Singaporeans and tourists. ST PHOTO: CHINA NATIONAL TOURISM
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