Have an idea for a dance showcase, a visual arts exhibition, or a music festival? No two ideas are the same and none are out of reach at the Somerset Belt. Explore the various initiatives on offer and join us as we shape the Somerset Belt together!
Have an idea for a dance showcase, a visual arts exhibition, or a music festival? No two ideas are the same and none are out of reach at the Somerset Belt. Explore the various initiatives on offer and join us as we shape the Somerset Belt together!
Participatory Budgeting, or PB for short, gives you real say over real money. It directly involves you as you get to decide how to spend a defined public budget. Through discussing and voting on spending priorities, you can monitor the whole process from start to end and see the ideas come to life!
Check out past campaigns here!
Bookmark this page to look out for the next run of PB!
Bring your classroom ideas to life here at the Somerset Belt. If your school is keen to explore a partnership with us, drop us a direct message on our Instagram: @somersetbeltsg
The Realise Your Somerset Project (RYSP) initiative supports unique and experimental programming projects. These projects transcend physical and digital boundaries that liven up the Somerset Belt.
If you have something you want to try, see or create in the Somerset Belt, here’s your chance to co-design, co-create and experiment ideas with us!
Drop us a note at somersetbelt@nyc.gov.sg and refer to the Realise Your Somerset Project Grant Call factsheet for more information!
Somerset Belt invites youths aged 15 to 35 years old to ideate, design, and implement a Somerset Belt icon relevant to youths today and those of the future.
The Red Bus is an iconic feature nestled in the Somerset Belt precinct, lending itself as a recognisable landmark to many in the area. As our world evolves and becomes more dynamic, especially in an increasingly digitalised society, is the Red Bus gradually drifting away from the minds of youths today and those of the future? Where do we go next?
You will be asked to collaborate with other youths to design a Somerset Belt icon that is aligned to Somerset Belt plans and one that speaks to youths of tomorrow. Youth participants are welcome to create and propose any designs that answer the challenge statement:
Any youth can participate in this challenge, and it is a way that they can shape Somerset Belt and take action to contribute back to other youths and the Somerset Belt community. Youths will get to propose design ideas for the new icon and be involved through the ideation to implementation journey as an active agent of change in the community. The three winning groups will continue to work together to implement their best designs elements collectively into an icon for Somerset Belt.
Our vision is to offer young individuals a supportive space to pursue their passions, nurture artistic talents, explore entrepreneurship, and contribute to important causes like sustainability. We prioritize cultivating an environment where self-expression is encouraged.
RED BUSS’IN is a vibrant, energetic area for people of all ages to have a good time. The grass and stage area provide a welcoming space to relax and watch performances. Pop-up booths serve as a hub for local entrepreneurs to display their creations, and food booths offer unique delicacies. Painting booths provide personal and group creative time.
Imagine a space that’s only limited by the imagination and creativity of the very youths who utilise the space. Inspired by the iconic red colour of The Red Bus, let’s paint the town red with The Red Bus District—a place where youth culture and creativity come to life in a functional and accessible park, optimised for use at any time of the day.
We present “The Red Bus Escape,” an innovative and captivating escape room experience. Navigate through themed puzzles using light-revealing clues. With ever-changing themes, it promises an adrenaline-pumping adventure that will keep you coming back for more! Don’t miss out on this thrilling attraction for daring youths and thrill-seekers alike!
Unleash your spotlight! Our proposal empowers budding artists and DJs to shine, showcasing creativity and passion. Join us in supporting rising talents, while immersing yourself in electrifying music and captivating art. Savour food truck delights, celebrating art, music, and community. Ignite the next generation of talents!
Be mindless to be mindful. A park with mindlessness at heart. Introducing Le-Park, a multi-sensorial zone, empowers youths to embrace a state of mindlessness, using tactile, visual to aural installations. Youths don’t have to be hustling, studying or working every minute of their lives—sit down, stand around and do absolutely nothing at Le-Park.
To ideate and improvise the current situation of the Red Bus situated at the Youth Park. Working with its current features, exterior, interior and especially its surroundings. To revitalise the Red Bus and its surrounding into a more livelier and fresher environment adding, more emphasis on the overshadowed red bus.
YOUTHSWAP! is a platform within the Red Bus for youths & community to exchange clothing to encourage a culture of sharing and reduction of waste. The red bus is transformed into an area for people to give away their pre-loved fashion and be awarded with a token to exchange for other pre-loved clothing that may otherwise have caught their eye.
IYC is a place where youths can eat food from various cuisines around the world and original food by other youths, where youths perform and let their talents shine through whatever they want to perform, where youths can enjoy themselves through films, music, food and festivals. A space where youths grow and talk among people with common interests.
Tales on Wheels turns the Red Bus into the world’s only youth museum in a bus, showcasing youth memories through youth-donated items and their stories. Every fortnight, the bus opens up for visitors to visit and interact with the items here. Visitors scan attached QR codes to learn an item’s story and their significance to the owner’s youth days.
Any youths aged 15 – 35 years old and residing in Singapore may participate in the Challenge. This includes all students, design and placemaking professionals, design and placemaking enthusiasts and amateurs, and just about any youths looking for the opportunity to shape the spaces at Somerset Belt. No professional qualifications are required. Immediate family members of the judges or organisers may not participate in this Challenge.
There are 2 Challenge categories:
Upon registering as an individual or forming the group of 2 or 3 pax, only then can the participants officially be listed into the Challenge. Participants will need to agree to the General Terms and Conditions of the Challenge. Please download and read the terms and conditions.
Judges will award points based on judging criteria
Total points for each team will be calculated as 50% from the judges and 50% from public voting. Each judge can give a maximum of 100 points based on the judging criteria to each team. Each public voter can vote for their top 3 preferred proposals and each public voter gives 1 vote to each of their 3 preferred proposals. They are not allowed to vote for the same proposal twice. 1 public vote will be equivalent to 1 point.
During evaluation of the entries, judges look out for these in each design proposal. Not all criteria may be applicable to each entry. The judging criteria provides an orientation guide and basis for the judging process, and this is complemented by each judge's expertise and professional background. Participants use this as a guide during their ideation of designs.
Participants are advised to make site visits to the Somerset Belt precinct to understand and explore possibilities in designing a suitable icon for Somerset Belt and to youths today and of the future.
Participants will need to abide by the deadline. The deadline for all Challenge submissions is 11.59pm, 24 July 2023. Groups with late submissions will have 5 points deducted. Groups that submit after 9am, 25 July 2023 will not have their proposals sent to the judging panel.
Late Submission of Entry
The deadline for all Challenge submissions is 11.59pm, 24 July 2023. Groups with late submissions will have 5 points deducted
The judges of the You Decide @ The Red Bus Challenge follow strict guidelines and rules to ensure a fair and ethical evaluation of the entries that take part in the Challenge. They declare to act fairly and impartially to the best of their abilities in their judging duties.
The panel has no association with the entries submitted, and if there are entries that they are associated with, the judge will abstain from judging.
Entries will be presented to the judges without names of groups or any identifiable areas of participants. This is to ensure that the entries are anonymous to prevent any possible bias.
Members of the public (residing in Singapore) will be invited to vote for their top three design proposals from 7 August 2023 to 13 August 2023 on the public voting platform at somersetbelt.sg.
An initiative under Forward SG, this is a placemaking challenge where youths are given the opportunity to decide what to do with the Red Bus, whether to keep the Red Bus as is, remove the Red Bus, or design a new icon out of the Red Bus for the Somerset Belt. Youths will be involved from ideation to implementation.
Youths register individually, in pairs or in groups of 3. Individuals and pairs are only grouped during the Challenge Briefing. Each group will have 3 pax. Throughout the Challenge Briefing, the youths will be briefed, have a tour of Somerset Belt, be grouped, and embark on their design creation to submit at the end of the event.
There will be 3 winning groups and each group will win $2,000 worth of neighbouring mall vouchers. Groups are to divide the vouchers equally among themselves
The groups will be notified by the organisers and the 3 winning groups will come together to combine their designs to become an icon for implementation at Somerset Belt. Groups have the option to commit and attend meetings and ideation sessions till implementation is completed (schedule is aligned to the development of Somerset Belt) or to stop the commitment at Results Day and allow organisers to work separately with the contractors to implement the design at Somerset Belt.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as there will be some walking. You may like to bring along a water bottle (we are trying to be environmentally friendly, so water coolers are available on-site) and some snacks. You may choose to bring your personal laptop if you wish to work on the proposal after the Challenge Briefing ends. You may also like to bring some paper pens, etc.
You have the choice to join groups of your preference during group formation on Challenge Briefing. However, once the groups have been confirmed, participants are not allowed to change groups.
Please notify your group members and organisers ASAP, especially if a replacement member is required for your group.
We have extended the ideation timeline, starting from any time on 15 July till 11.59pm, 24 July. All groups are to complete the designs by 11.59pm. Any late submissions will have points deducted (5 points deducted if submissions are not in by 11.59pm). Final call for submissions is 9am, 25 July 2023.
The groups are to submit the proposal via FormSG. Instructions will be given prior to the start of the Challenge Briefing via the WhatsApp chat group, and can also be found at somersetbelt.sg.
Participants will work on the proposals in their groups and can submit any time till the deadline on 11.59pm, 24 July.
After that, participants will wait for the results to be announced.
Top 3 winning groups voted by the public will be announced on Results Day on 19 Aug. Results will only be announced on 19 Aug at *SCAPE. All groups are encouraged to attend. Attendance will be sought and reminded via WhatsApp chat group.
It is not compulsory for all groups, though everyone is encouraged to be present as the top 3 winning groups will only be announced on Results Day.
The top 3 winning groups will be announced and there will be a prize presentation ceremony. Participants and supporters are welcome to mingle with the judges and organisers after the announcement.
Yes, They can. However, if you have a large group of supporters (10 and beyond), please drop an update in the WhatsApp group chat
The organisers will contact the winning groups and share more on the implementation process. Winning groups have two options:
1st option:
Provide the winning proposals directly to the organisers to implement at Somerset Belt. The commitment of the youths ends on Results Day.
2nd option:
Collaborate with the other 2 winning groups to work with the organisers to implement the proposals. Commitment of youths may last till mid 2024.
Key elements determined by the 3 winning groups will be combined to create a final design proposal for implementation at Somerset Belt. All groups will be recognised for their contributions at the Somerset Belt after implementation.
Your group may wish to provide the winning proposals directly to the organisers to implement at Somerset Belt instead and the commitment of the youths will end on Results Day.
If your design proposal does not win an award, the group will have a choice to have it published on the Somerset Belt website and social media platforms, or not to publish it and remain unknown to the public.
You can sign up via the Challenge registration form on somersetbelt.sg.
Any youths residing in Singapore aged 15 – 35 years old can take part in the Challenge. Immediate family members of the organisers and judges shall not participate in this Challenge.
As a registered participant, it is compulsory to attend the Challenge Briefing on 15 July 2023. All groups are encouraged to be present at the Results Day on 19 August 2023.
No, anyone can join the Challenge. You do not need to present any design portfolio or qualifications to be able to participate.
Once you have submitted the completed registration form via FormSG, the organisers will contact you within 5 working days to add you to a WhatsApp chat group – this is a confirmation that we have received your registration form. This group will be the platform for all communications between the organisers and participants. Participants may choose to communicate via email too.
The WhatsApp chat group is solely for the purpose of Challenge updates and specific communications with participants of the Challenge, and is not to be used for other purposes such as solicitation of goods and services. Chat group members are to refrain from usage of sensitive, vulgar language and images.
Yes, you can! All friends, family members, and supporters of participants are welcome to support the participants on Challenge Day. They are however not to provide information or partake in the Challenge, or to disrupt the participants and programme.
Youths can choose to register to join as an individual, pair or in groups of 3. All youths will be given the opportunity to join and form groups of 2 or 3 pax on Challenge Briefing. They can also participate as individuals.
No, there is none.
There are a total of 8 judges from different backgrounds and experiences. You can refer to the list at somersetbelt.sg.
The judging criteria consists of 7 areas, with additional bonus points. The 7 areas are: Impact and Communication, Feasibility and Possibility of production/ Functionality; Spatial Relationships; Emotional Quotient; Visual appeal/ Aesthetics; Durability/ Sustainability; and Degree of Innovation. The full details can be found at somersetbelt.sg.
The judging process involves two segments:
1st segment:
Judges will award points based on judging criteria.
2nd segment:
Groups will undergo public voting.
There will be 3 winning groups and each group will receive S$2,000 worth of mall vouchers.
The results will be shared on Results Day on 19 Aug, therefore groups are encouraged to spread the word to their networks and supporters during the public voting period. The public will be able to view the ranking of the proposals on the voting platform at somersetbelt.sg.
They can go to somersetbelt.sg to vote online.
Anyone residing in Singapore can vote for the groups. Each person can only vote once.
The results will be officially announced on Results Day at 5pm – 6pm, 19 Aug at *SCAPE Gallery. All groups and their supporters are encouraged to attend the session.
If you have any questions and remarks on the You Decide @ The Red Bus Challenge, please feel free to contact us on Instagram at @somersetbeltsg.
