Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 4 hrs ago
Singapore’s growing heritage studies raise concerns about a shortage of experts
Singapore public agencies have commissioned more studies of historic sites to guide redevelopment.
The studies cover sites including Turf City and Gillman Barracks under a heritage impact framework introduced in 2022, as well as other areas such as Adam Park.
These assessments can draw on specialists in architectural conservation, history, social research and archaeology.
Singapore has a small pool of heritage experts, with particularly few archaeologists who have substantial local field experience.
The authors say overseas firms can help, but knowledge of Singapore’s history and planning context is also important.
Weak assessments could shape hard-to-reverse decisions about whether buildings are kept, changed or redeveloped.
Archaeological excavation also removes evidence, so poor documentation can prevent future researchers from understanding what was found.
Building local expertise is increasingly urgent as archaeological work becomes part of development studies, though the authors say there is no evidence yet that studies are taking longer or that the system is breaking down.
Singapore public agencies have commissioned a growing number of heritage studies to guide redevelopment of historically significant sites.
The authors say capacity in architectural conservation and engineering is stretched, while the pool of experienced archaeologists is exceptionally small.
They warn that limited expertise could affect study quality and decisions about whether sites are retained, altered or redeveloped.
Singapore has no formal register or licensing system for heritage practitioners.
The authors say there is no evidence that studies are taking longer or that the system is breaking down.
- Who
- Kevin Tan and Yeo Kang Shua of the International Council on Monuments and Sites Singapore raised the concerns.
- What
- Singapore’s growing number of heritage studies is prompting concerns about whether enough experts are available to do the work well.
- When
- The commentary was published on Oct. 26, 2026.
- Where
- Singapore.
- Why
- More development-related studies require expertise in areas including architectural conservation, historical research and archaeology, but the pool of specialists is limited.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The former Old Police Academy study at Mount Pleasant served as a pilot for the Heritage Impact Assessment framework.
The Ministry of National Development introduced the Heritage Impact Assessment framework.
The National Heritage Board acknowledged the need to build local archaeological expertise.
CNA published the commentary on growing heritage studies and the availability of experts.
- Heritage Impact Assessment framework
- Introduced in 2022 by the Ministry of National Development
- Pilot study
- Former Old Police Academy at Mount Pleasant, studied in 2021
- Other HIA studies
- Turf City and Gillman Barracks
- Archaeological expertise
- The National Heritage Board acknowledged the need to build local expertise in 2024
- Practitioner register
- Singapore has no formal register of heritage practitioners
What people are saying
Capacity in architectural conservation and engineering is stretched.
There is no evidence yet of studies taking longer or that the system is breaking down, but there are reasons to be concerned.