Reimagining Clementi’s Heritage: A Community-Led Conversation with NHB & Friendzone
Introduction: How Can We Keep Clementi’s Heritage Alive?
As neighbourhoods evolve, so do the stories and cultural landmarks that make them special. Clementi, a community rich in history and local charm, has seen rapid change over the years. To capture and preserve its heritage while fostering new ideas for community-driven projects, Friendzone partnered with the National Heritage Board (NHB) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic as part of the Heritage Activation Nodes (HAN) initiative.
Together, we designed and facilitated a conversation-driven event at Clementi Community Centre, bringing together 50 participants— including HAN volunteers, Ngee Ann Polytechnic students, and Clementi residents— to share their personal connections to the neighbourhood and generate ideas for heritage projects.
The Challenge: Connecting Past, Present & Future in Clementi
With its blend of long-time residents, students, and young professionals, Clementi represents a crossroads of generations. The challenge was:
Creating an inclusive space for intergenerational conversations where both nostalgic memories and fresh perspectives could shape the dialogue.
Engaging 50 participants in a meaningful way that allowed for both personal storytelling and collaborative ideation.
Gathering ideas for tangible heritage projects that could preserve and celebrate Clementi’s unique identity.
Friendzone designed a structured engagement approach to ensure participants could reflect on their connections to Clementi, exchange stories, and brainstorm creative initiatives to strengthen the community’s heritage.
The Solution: Conversations that Build Community
To inspire meaningful exchanges, Friendzone crafted a facilitated conversation format using curated question cards. Participants explored:
Personal connections to Clementi – Where do they hang out? What special memories do they have?
How Clementi has evolved – What changes do they love? What do they miss?
What heritage means to them – Favourite buildings, traditions, or stories that define the neighbourhood.
Creative ideas to preserve Clementi’s heritage – From murals and heritage trails to digital archives and exhibitions.
How they could be involved – Would they be organisers, volunteers, or active participants in heritage projects?
By blending structured dialogue with open-ended storytelling, participants were able to share personal insights while also co-creating a vision for Clementi’s future heritage initiatives.
The Outcome: Community-Driven Ideas to Keep Clementi’s Heritage Alive
The discussions surfaced innovative and heartfelt ideas for preserving and celebrating Clementi’s history:
1. Retaining & Creating More Community Spaces
Preserve past activities like pétanque and elderly card games to foster intergenerational connections.
Establish community-driven spaces where residents actively participate in maintenance and programming.
Repurpose old iconic buildings into flea markets, keeping their historical significance while giving them new life.
2. Sharing Stories Through Digital Media
Create documentaries, short films, and TikTok-style videos to showcase Clementi’s history.
Launch a shared digital platform where residents can upload memories and places of significance.
3. Preserving the Past Through Murals & Festivals
Introduce murals featuring Clementi’s historical landmarks, serving as visual reminders of its past.
Revive community celebrations like the Lantern Festival, fostering neighbourly bonds.
4. Heritage Food & Nature Trails
Recruit seniors as tour guides, offering firsthand accounts of Clementi’s transformation.
Develop localised heritage trails, focusing on hidden gems and everyday experiences rather than tourist spots.
5. Creating Exhibitions to Tell Clementi’s Story
Organise crowdsourced photo exhibitions documenting Clementi’s evolution, akin to Singapore Heritage SG Memories.
Install heritage markers or information boards at key locations like the Malayan Railway tracks.
Develop a digital archive featuring photos, interviews, and personal narratives from long-time residents.
Beyond the Event: Strengthening Clementi’s Heritage Together
This event was more than just a conversation — it was a catalyst for action. The ideas generated by participants have the potential to shape future heritage projects in Clementi, ensuring its stories continue to be told for generations to come.
Through intentional engagement, Friendzone and NHB have not only documented Clementi’s past but also empowered its community to take an active role in shaping its future.
Ready to Bring Your Community’s Stories to Life?
At Friendzone, we believe that meaningful engagement strengthens communities. Whether you’re looking to activate heritage spaces, facilitate intergenerational conversations, or co-create community-led projects, we can help.
Let’s work together to celebrate and preserve your neighbourhood’s unique heritage. Contact us at hello@friendzone.sg to start your next community initiative!