For International Women’s Day, we spotlight Sherrie Goh, the force behind Marina Central district—a pilot programme with the goal to bring stakeholders together in a collaborative effort to create a vibrant district, support businesses and promote common good.

**Sherrie Goh, District Manager of Marina Central Pilot Business Improvement District.**

Through this initiative, Sherrie has harnessed the collaboration of stakeholders and the creativity and expertise of local changemakers and talents, to create spaces where people can connect over shared experiences in the heart of the city.

“Placemaking to me is about enhancing the hardware and bringing in the software—creating moments of delight and opportunities for connection.”

Six years ago, the Marina Central Business Improvement District pilot programme was launched to bring stakeholders together in a collaborative effort to create a vibrant district, support businesses and promote common good.

Over the course of the program, seeing strangers become collaborators and spaces transform and take new life was the most meaningful. It instilled in me the importance of creating opportunities for people to connect and have shared experiences. It’s the best way for us to stay curious, be inspired and grow. Highlights include:

DISTRICT M: A music festival which transforms four public areas into vibrant festival zones, drawing people together through rhythm and celebration.

**Heema Izzati’s performance (South Beach)**

**Nathan Hartono’s performance (Suntec City)**

Singapore Design Week: A design festival that activates spaces with interactive workshops and communal experiences, encouraging collaboration and shared learning.

**Care-Full Shelter (Marina Square Linkbridge)**

Community Arts Series: Breathing life into public areas with local creators and performers, sparking curiosity and conversation among people who might not have crossed paths otherwise.

**Hip Hop Hurray Block Party by ScRachMarcS (Suntec City)**

**Street dancers at Hip Hop Hurray Block Party (Suntec City)**

**“Sangam” performance by Curious Circus (Marina Square)**

“Seeing strangers become collaborators and spaces transform and take new life was the most meaningful.”

It instilled in me the importance of creating opportunities for people to connect and have shared experiences. It’s the best way for us to stay curious, be inspired and grow.

The lessons from this initiative will continue to guide how we approach creating meaningful places and building communities. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who was a part of our happy district, including The Rooftop Club whose partnership helped spotlight our many stories that may otherwise have remained hidden gems.

“The Rooftop Club approached the task of telling the stories in the district with the utmost sincerity.”

**Sherrie (middle) with The Rooftop Club co-founders - Eunice (left) & Serene (right)**

The way they portrayed the people, flavours and experiences of Marina Central helped to show how placemaking can breathe new life and meaning into spaces for new connections to form and communities to grow.

Discover more colourful stories from Marina Central on The Rooftop Club’s YouTube and follow Marina Central on Instagram.

Sherrie Goh on the Power of Placemaking: Marina Central District

“Placemaking to me is about enhancing the hardware and bringing in the software—creating moments of delight and opportunities for connection.”

“Seeing strangers become collaborators and spaces transform and take new life was the most meaningful.”

“The Rooftop Club approached the task of telling the stories in the district with the utmost sincerity.”

See Marina Central in a different light — and colour.