Singapore plans "car-free Sunday" towards "car-lite" nation

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is planning a "car-free Sunday" zone from next February on roads along the Singapore River to better promote a car-lite Singapore, local media reported on Tuesday.

This six-month pilot program will kick off from Feb. 28, with a total of 4.7 km-long roads to be closed for cars in the morning on the last Sunday of each month.

The affected roads include the entire area around the Padang and partial sections of Fullerton Road, Shenton Way, Robinson Road, as well as parts of Connaught Drive and St Andrew's Road, according to the Strait Times. These roads form the Civic District and CBD along the Singapore River.

This program aims to "promote active lifestyles and enhance liveability in the city," said a URA spokesman, adding "It is a way to reclaim the roads for cycling, jogging and walking, and make the city a more people-friendly and enjoyable place."

He explained that URA decided to close roads in the Civic District and CBD because there are many points of interest along the way such as historic landmarks, and these roads are under-utilized on Sunday mornings.

Singapore now has 10 temporary car-free zones, one of the most famous and well-known street is Orchard Road, which is closed on the first Saturday of every month between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. for Pedestrian Night. Endit