Come National Day, the Padang will join other national monuments in Singapore such as the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral and the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall
Singapore will officially have a 75th national monument after the Padang is gazetted on National Day for its “strong national, historical and social significance”, according to the National Heritage Board (NHB).
This will make it the first green open space to be preserved and accorded the highest level of protection in Singapore under the Preservation of Monuments Act, it said.
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"With the gazette, the character and appearance of the Padang will be preserved for future generations, while ensuring all current uses can continue," said NHB in a statement.
Over the years, the Padang has been kept as an open green space despite the many changes in its Civic District vicinity.
The Padang is currently bordered by a number of national monuments that include the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, the Lim Bo Seng and Civilian War memorials as well as the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.
The field, which came into existence in 1822, was chosen to be gazetted as a result of its association with many of Singapore’s key milestones, including the inaugural National Day Parade on August 9, 1966, and every parade thereafter until 1975.
The historic field also saw events such as the World War II victory parade which celebrated the formal surrender of the Japanese in Singapore on September 12, 1945; the victory rally of the first fully elected Legislative Assembly on June 3, 1959; and the installation of Mr Yusof Ishak as the first Malayan-born head of state.
“Some evidence suggests that the Padang could have been the site of negotiations between the British East India Company and the Sultan of Johore and Temenggong leading up to the eventual signing of the treaty on Feb 6, 1819, which allowed the establishment of the settlement of Singapore,” added NHB in a press release.
Over the years, the Padang has also been used as a place for celebrations and sporting events such as the Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens. It also serves as the start and end point of the Singapore Marathon.
After it is gazetted, the NHB will be promoting greater awareness and appreciation of the Padang’s significance in Singapore’s history through various initiatives such as tours and interactive games for the public.
This will include Maze@Padang, which is a Minecraft-inspired game for primary school students where players will be transported to a virtual underground maze beneath the Padang, said NHB.
New guided tours that will include the Padang, the former City Hall and former Supreme Court buildings will also be launched this month.
“The successful gazette of the Padang reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the preservation and promotion of places and spaces of national significance to Singapore,” said Jean Wee, NHB’s director of the preservation of sites and monuments.
“Together with our 74 other National Monuments, it will contribute to the architectural and cultural diversity of our nation’s built heritage, and be celebrated as one of the many places that define Singapore and our people.”
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