Besides being the core area for business and entertainment in the city, it contains districts steeped in history, various housing types, and numerous institutions for education and community life.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority envisaged the introduction of more homes of various types to the area, particularly in the Downtown Core which has been overwhelmingly commercial for the past decades.

Supporting institutions and transport networks were upgraded or introduced to cater to the rising resident population in the area.

The region is also home to the 3.2 kilometers long Singapore River,[3] from its source at Kim Seng Bridge to where it empties into Marina Bay.

The region also features Singapore's natural tallest point - Bukit Timah Hill with a height of 163.63 metres (537 ft.) above ground level.