At the core of every city is its beating heart, where connections are made, ideas come to life, and everyone has a place to belong. Raffles Place is a vibrant destination that serves a large working community and visitors from all parts of the island. Situated within Singapore’s financial district, Raffles Place is nestled in what we like to call the Central Buzz District. Over the past few years, Raffles Place Alliance has worked to transform the precinct into a bustling hub of activity through placemaking.
Placemaking is a collaborative process that involves the community in shaping the public realm into a meaningful and engaging place where one can live, work and play in. Through Raffles Place Alliance’s placemaking initiatives, the precinct has also turned into a third place for many.
So, what is a third place? First coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book The Great Good Place, Oldenburg defined third places as informal public spaces that exist outside the realms of one’s home and workplace—home being the first place and work being the second place. Third places are important for fostering social connections and engagement as well as supporting wellbeing.
In today’s world, a third place could be a space outside of home and work where individuals can meet, mingle, and unwind. It could be a café, park, library or even a club—all spaces that double as mediums for connection and bring people together by common ground shared.
For Raffles Place, the third place has grown out of the various initiatives in Raffles Place Park and the precinct that create vibrancy and community. From seasonal programming to weekday workouts, these initiatives create an environment where workers can recharge, connect, and improve their mental and physical wellbeing, all without the need for long commutes. This offers the community a convenient place to help bridge the space between work and life in a traditionally commercial district.
One popular programme is UNWIND @ Raffles Place, which invites our community to reimagine the CBD as a place to relax and have fun in, through park games, live music and an outdoor movie screening. The next UNWIND @ Raffles Place takes place on 27 March 2025, 5pm – 9:30pm, find out more HERE.
Another project is #RPchairs, which was first launched in 2022. Each year a variety of mobile and fixed seats are placed throughout Raffles Place Park for everyone to use. By creating opportunities for the community to rest and connect in the chairs, the park becomes a welcoming space where people can sit, read, and relax during their visits, moulding Raffles Place into an idyllic third place for the community. Read more about #RPchairs HERE.
During festive seasons, the park gets dressed for the occasion as a way to spread good cheer for Christmas and usher in good fortune for the New Year. The festive decor installed have been interactive, and light up at night, making them great photo spots and a place for everyone to enjoy and soak in the festive vibes.
By transforming this urban space into a third place, the Raffles Place precinct is bringing people together in meaningful ways.
Check out this podcast from CNA938 Rewind, where Raffles Place is featured!
Podcast Source: CNA938 Rewind
