Abstract
Urban spatial structure has evolved in recent decades from monocentric to polycentric forms, with greater reliance on transit-oriented development (TOD) to improve accessibility to homes and workplaces in other parts of the city. Singapore is a land-scarce city adopting polycentricity to address problems around urban congestion, resource distribution and land consumption. One of its approaches is to foster new urban subcentres away from the CBD and nearer to residential estates. These are called regional centres (RCs) and they are designed to provide and concentrate essential services, businesses and amenities while remaining connected to the rest of the city by transit networks. While the government agencies have been playing pivotal roles in building up RCs, there are a lack of studies on how each RC distinctly impacts and embodies the polycentric vision, with the assumption that Tampines RC set the template for how such urban subcentres function in the late 20th and early 21st century. It remains necessary for governments to consider further urban transformations in cities like Singapore, and this research will uncover how RCs are adapting to changes in the economy and society. It will also employ the data collection tool of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to spatially present information on the RCs’ features and functions.