Three kinds of conservation area
| Historic District | Residential Historic District | Secondary Settlement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Boat Quay, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India | Blair Plain, Cairnhill, Emerald Hill | Balestier, Geylang, Jalan Besar, Joo Chiat, Tiong Bahru and others |
| What is kept | The whole building | The whole building | The streetscape |
| Rear extension | None | Below the main roof | Up to the area's height |
Not allowed in Historic Conservation Areas
- New bars, pubs, nightclubs and karaoke lounges, except on four Boat Quay streets.
- New massage establishments and spas.
- Amusement centres and motor vehicle showrooms.
- Pollutive trades: workshops, spray-painting, welding.
In the core areas, also no Western fast food, supermarkets or first-storey offices (banks excepted). No new restaurants in Kampong Glam, or on Ann Siang Road, Club Street and Gemmill Lane.
What changed in 2026
- Boat Quay: new bars, pubs and nightclubs are considered on Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street, on temporary permission of up to three years, with liquor to 4 am on Thursday and Friday nights.
- Upper Circular Road and Beach Road: hotels, hostels and serviced apartments are considered for applications from 5 June 2026 to 31 May 2028 (URA circular DC26-07).
Sources
- URA, use of buildings in conservation areas: ura.gov.sg
- URA, Conservation Guidelines: ura.gov.sg
- URA circular DC26-07: ura.gov.sg
- MHA, Boat Quay, Upper Circular Road and Clarke Quay measures: mha.gov.sg