SINGAPORE — The Somerset Youth Belt, the stretch of Somerset Road that encompasses spaces such as  *Scape, The Red Box and a skate park, is set to be revamped, and the Government is turning to Singapore’s young for ideas on how best to do this.

Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sim Ann said in Parliament on Friday (March 8) that this redesign is part of a larger Orchard Road rejuvenation plan.

“We want to develop a vibrant youth district at Somerset that supports our youths’ aspirations,” she said during a debate on the budget for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

Ms Sim Ann noted that spaces such as *Scape, The Red Box and the skate park at Somerset “have already been serving as congregation points for youths, featuring music and media, entrepreneurship, learning and urban sports”.

“But as Orchard Road renews itself, we have a unique opportunity to re-imagine the Youth Belt. We will be engaging youths through a place-making exercise, with online and face-to-face sessions, so that they can show us how to take this youth precinct to the next level.”

All youths aged 15 to 35 will be invited to share their ideas and proposals for activities and services they wish to see at the Youth Belt and how it can be redesigned, the MCCY said in a separate statement.

This will be done through online and face-to-face sessions, from April.

The proposals will then be studied by a panel and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will be providing technical expertise, the MCCY said.

Once the proposals have been shortlisted, youths will again be invited to provide feedback.

Thereafter, MCCY will work with government agencies and other stakeholders such as commercial entities in the Somerset area for further development and implementation of the proposals.

The MCCY told TODAY that it will work closely with the URA and STB to ensure that the Youth Belt engagements “complement and take into consideration the history of Orchard Road”.

“We will also be approaching commercial entities to involve them in this envisioning and place-making exercise,” it added.

In his speech, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng added that *Scape will be showcasing more art that resonates with young people, and give youths here more chances to exhibit their works.

Ms Sim also gave an update on Youth Conversations, a series of dialogues that MCCY has been holding with local youths.

Since it was launched last year, MCCY has reached out to 8,000 youths through online and face-to-face sessions, she said. 

An interim report on insights from the Youth Conversations will be released later this month.

“The Youth Conversations have given us a good sense of youths’ aspirations, needs, and interests. We know the youths want to move these conversations into action.”

To do so, MCCY will support the creation of an SG Youth Action Plan, to give them a clear say in the Singapore they want to build, she added.

Ms Sim said she will be co-leading a panel comprising youth leaders from various sectors and organisations to develop this Action Plan, and the panel will work closely with government agencies and the National Youth Council to engage youths from all walks of life.

The Action Plan will articulate  youths’ vision for Singapore in 2025, and identify priority areas, she said.

“From the Youth Conversations, we know that such issues could range from jobs and employment to mental well-being and environmental sustainability.”

The panel will also identify opportunities for youths to provide recommendations on policies and create partnership projects with Government, communities, non-profit organisations and businesses, to spearhead the change they hope to see, Ms Sim added.

Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth added in Parliament on Friday: “By partnering youths, we benefit from their ideas and energy. Young Singaporeans want to be heard. They want to have the chance to shape the future, partner with Government, and participate in change.

“To our youths, we hear you and understand your concerns.”