Subscribe to Zinmag Tribune
Subscribe to Zinmag Tribune
Subscribe to Zinmag Tribune by mail

Facilitators Needed For DMP 3 & 4

A shout out to all! We are looking for 20 facilitators who have outgoing personalities as well as keen insights and a love for architectural explorations to join us for 2 coming DMP workshops. Sign up NOW!
IMAGE-TITLE-HERE

Young Urbanist Programme Season 1

The Young Urbanist Programme [YUP] held on Monday 10th March 2008, was a 1-day workshop initiated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and executed in collaboration with [re:act] and held at the URA Centre.
Young Urbanist Program

Design My Place at HCI

DMP, Workshop
a We just finished the Design My Place (Urban Creativity Workshop) over the weekend. It was nothing short of an amazing experience for the students, the facilitators, the organisers, and our supporters. It was very encouraging to see at the end how well received...

DMP 2 - God Save The Queen!

DMP, Workshop
“A group of junior college and polytechnic students, together with the assistance of aspiring architects and designers, were on a mission to ‘save’ Queenstown estate from its desolate present! Unpredictability is probably the best word to describe the workshop, as we were immersed in the company of wacky teenagers...

Solving the CUBE

DMP, Workshop
CUBE or Challenge for the Urban and Built Environment was a competition that re:ACT organised for the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) under its Architecture and Urban Design Excellence programme (A.UDE) as part of its 35th anniversary celebrations. We took our usual DMP workshop...

Kids Go Wild at URA

Workshop
Fun, great, cool, creative, interesting, crazy, scary, brain wrecking, spectacular, challenging, the best, excellent, shiok, record breaking, oh my gosh… This was how the primary 5 students had described the pilot YUP workshop yesterday. Held at URA Centre...

DMP 2010: Katong/Joochiat Site Background

Wednesday, February 02, 2005 Reporter: Ian Ng 0 Responses

Site Information

Located by the sea, land was reclaimed all the way to East Coast Park to provide more land for housing and recreational purposes due to shortage of land in the late 1960s after Singapore gained independence.

Katong was the location of many villas and mansions of the wealthy elite in the late 19th to the mid 20th centuries, who made their fortunes in the Far East and built seaside resorts, villas and manors along the beachfront of Katong, beginning from Katong Park to the end of the East Coast.

Katong's rich cultural mix has contributed to its unique cuisine. Katong is well known for its restaurants serving Peranakan (Straits Chinese) cuisine, particularly a spicy Malay noodle soup called Peranakan laksa. Katong Laksa originated from Joo Chiat area. The hawker was nicknamed 'Jangok" by the peranakan, because he had a few strands of hair at his chin. He was an itinerant hawker and lived in Tembling Road/Joo Chiat Terrace. Later he moved his business into the eating house at East Coast Road/Ceylon Road. Because the Katong people loved his laksa, it has come to be known as the Katong laksa throughout the world in Hong Kong and New York.

Etymology

Katong is the name of an exotic species of sea turtle now extinct. It also means the rippling effect of a sea mirage when looking at a shoreline. Tanjong Katong was a popular beach along the East Coast. Tanjong means cape in Malay. This coastal feature was located near the present Tanjong Katong Flyover across East Coast Parkway and had since disappeared due to land reclamation.

History

Katong's history has been rooted in prestige and wealth. Many wealthy English, Portuguese, Anglo-French and Chinese settlers bought parcels of land here beside the sea to cultivate plantations. They built business empires from trading in these early international commodities such as cotton, coconut and gambier. The earliest cultivation took place in 1823, when Francis Bernard, son-in-law of Lieutenant Colonel William Farquhar, the first Resident of Singapore, started a coconut estate in the district.

Gradually, the crown of Singapore sold plots of land in the area stretching from Frankel Avenue, Siglap Road, to the Geylang River. From Geylang Road to the sea, land was granted to individuals in large parcels, ranging from 8 to 200 hectares. Pioneer estate owners included Thomas Dunman, Thomas Crane, Sir Jose d'Almeida, John Armstrong, Whampoa Hoo Ah Kay, Chew Joo Chiat and the Little family.

Most of the land was given over to coconut plantations because of the suitably sandy conditions, although cotton was also introduced in February 1836 . Unnfortunately, cotton planting was largely a failure and only coconut plantations remained.

In the first three decades of the twentieth century and especially after World War I, Katong developed from a weekend seaside retreat into a home for the wealthy, who built their main residence away from the hustle and bustle of town-life in the form of ornate and immense colonial seaside bungalows. Katong then took the form of a wealthy suburb. Large colonial, Chinese and Peranakan bungalows were built along Meyer Road and Mountbatten Road from Katong Park to Tanjong Katong (which in English means "Road of the Turtle Mirage Promontory"). By 1928 Katong had grown to the extend that the Inspector-General of Police, H.Fairburn remarked: "The development of the area from Katong to Joo Chiat, which has been so rapid in the past two years, promises to continue, and from every point of view one sees the necessity of providing for a sub-divisional station in the suburb. The suburb at present possess no police station." From then on Katong encroached into Joo Chiat area from Tanjong Katong to Telok Kurau Road. East Coast Road (now divided into East Coast Road and Upper East Coast Road) have many upper-class family homes.

The Katong of today covers both sides of Tanjong Katong Road and the seaward strip along Mountbatten Road and East Coast Road, stretching from Katong Park up to Martia Road. Also included in this strip are the Katong Church and CHIJ Katong Convent. The present Katong area stretches from Mounbatten Road, East Coast Road to Siglap. The Katong in Joo Chiat was formally an ethnic enclave of the Eurasians.

Many "town" Eurasians moved here in the 1920s and 1930s due to several reasons. They were attracted by the building of Saint Patrick's (1933) and also by the Holy Family Church also known as "Katong Church". Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in Katong (CHIJ Katong) was built much later on Martia Road and expanded its secondary school into Marine Parade after land reclamation of the East Coast in 1965. The Eurasians wanted better homes after the Depression; however, the city centre of Singapore and its surrounding area was experiencing congestion and pollution with overcrowding being common. Therefore, they sold their estates in town and built their homes in Katong. The Chinese settlers followed suit.


Highlights

The area is traditionally associated with the Eurasian and Peranakan community. However, many high-rise apartment blocks now stand alongside the traditional shophouses and Peranakan terrace houses. In 1993, the Joo Chiat neighbourhood which comprises the historical centre of Katong, with its delicate and uniquely Singaporean architecture mixing Chinese, Peranakan and English colonial styles, was designated a national heritage conservation area by the Singapore Government. Many of the traditional houses in the area, which includes the ancient villa of Chinese tycoon Joo Chiat, have been conserved and are now luxury homes for the wealthy elite from throughout the world.


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katong


Read more...

CUBE 2010: Kampong Glam/Jalan Besar Site Background

Wednesday, February 02, 2005 Reporter: Ian Ng 0 Responses


Choice of Site

The site was chosen in discussion with URA for its varirety of issues and also its accessibility to students in terms of issues to be work with and design potential. Firstly, the entire area was very much a transitional space between the city and the suburbs. It was part of the city, yet not quite. It was a part of the city that did not quite know its identity. This was an opportunity to brainstorm for ideas that could refresh and re-invigorate the area.

Separately, the historical and cultural backdrop of the Kampong Glam area balanced the more commercial Jalan Besar area while the more residential area at Beach Road contrasted with a more varied Lavender area which included small industries, sports and residential areas. The different layers of issues provided a palette where students could come up with creative and imaginative solutions in improving the sense of place of the area.


Kampong Glam

This Malay Historic District used to be and still is the hub of the Malay community today. It was gazetted as a Conservation Area in 1989. Most of the buildings here are shophouses, the majority of which have remained intact over the years, retaining with them the rich culture and history of yesteryears. The shophouse is one of the most significant building types in Singapore’s architectural heritage, reflecting much of the island’s history and development.

The name Kampong Glam comes from the Gelam Tree which grew in abundance in the area. The settlement of Kampong Glam is older than modern Singapore – it was already in existence at the mouth of Rochor River at the time of Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in 1819. Indeed, the area was the historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore.

The 1822 Raffles Town Plan allocated designated areas to the carious racial groups such as the Chinese and Indians. Kaampong Glam was allocated to the Malays, as well as Muslim immigrants and traders from the the Malay Peninsular, Java, Sumatra, Celebres Islands, Riah, India and Southern Arabia based on their prominenece, social and economic status.

The second half of the 19th century saw a rapid influx of immigrants from Sumatra and later from other parts of Indonesia and Malaya. But iw was the successful and influential Arab traders who left their indelible mark in the area when streets in the area were named after Arabian cities such as Arab Street, Bussorah Street, Muscat Street and Baghdad Street in the the early 1910s.

On Arab Street, Muslim traders wrok side by side with Chinese and Indian retailers. Despite the influx of modern businesses by other ethnic groups, Kampong Glam is still very much a centre of Muslim activites today.

Key sites: Malay Heritage Centre, Sultan Mosque, Bussorah Mall, Haji Lane, Various streets, Alsagoff Arab School, Colden Dome Mosque (Masjid Malabar)


Jalan Besar

Jalan Besar has a rich history and has witnessed many changes to its landscape without losing its old world charm. One of the first roads to be built in Singapore, Jalan Besar literally means big (or wide) road in Malay. It was cut through the betal bnit plantation and fruit orchard owned by the Norris Brothers. The brothers boughts this piece of land in a largely swampy areas for 113 rupees from the British East India Company in the 1830s.

To most Singaporeans, Jalan Besar is synonymous with the Jalan Besar Stadium, a landmark in the area for almost a century. It was here that many an exciting soccer match was played and a place that also bonded Singaporeans through sports. Another landmark which older Singaporeans will recall is the New Word which closed in the 1980s. Some may have even noticed that many of the roads located off Jalan Besar are named after World War 1 battles sites and personalities. Jalan Beasr also offers one of the best examples of the Singapore shophouse.

Due to increasing traffic to the nearby Race Course which was constructed in the 1840s, the Municipality decided to expand the road in the 1880s and 1890s, and subsequently named it Jalan Besar. However, a large part of the area south of Jalan Besar remained as swamp land until it was gradually filled by dumping refuse over time. Coincidentally, Singapore’s first refuse incinerator was also sited along Jalan Besar in 1889.

Today, you can still find shophouses and buildings from the late 19th century to the mid 10th century lining both sides of Jalan Besar. The colours that dominated the buildings in this area were favourites with the general Malay and Straits Chinese population which was predominant in the area. In fact, the architecture in the area is so unqiue that Jalan Besar has been given conservation status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in their Conservation Master Plan since 25 October 1991.

Many of the roads off Jalan Besar were named in 1926 by the Munincipal Commissioners in commemoration of British and French generals and admirals and battle sites in World War I.

Key sites: Jalan Besar Stadium, Syed Alwi Road, New World, Petain Road shophouses, Lavender Street


Read more...

JTC I3 Challenge: Lorong Halus Site Background

Wednesday, February 02, 2005 Reporter: Ian Ng 0 Responses


BACKGROUND OF SITE

Lorong Halus Landfill was once Singapore's sole landfill and was operated between the early 1970's and the late 1990's. The landfill is split into several different cells on both sides of the Tampines Expressway (TPE). Our specific area of study was in use from 1970 to 1974.

Waste deposited in the landfill included municipal solid waste, construction debris, incineration ash, inert fill and stabilized hazardous waste. Trench-like pits were dug and filled with the waste. When these were full, waste was further piled on top of it, and then eventually capped with a layer of clay. Trees currently grow in the layer of topsoil on top of the cap.

The final plots of the landfill were closed on 31 Mar 1999, with waste disposal thenceforth moved to a newly established dumping ground on the offshore island of Pulau Semakau, which has since become a nature draw with thriving natural habitats in its own right.


Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) had previously commissioned feasibility studies to review and evaluate potential environmental hazards associated with developing the Lorong Halus landfill site for industrial use and providing mitigation measures against landfill related hazards.


The portion of the old Lorong Halus landfill north of the TPE along the eastern bank of Serangoon Reservoir has recently been transformed into an educational site and a sanctuary for plants, birds and other wildlife. Using an innovative bio-remediation system, national water agency PUB designed the Lorong Halus Wetland to collect and treat water passing through the former landfill, preventing it from flowing into Serangoon Reservoir. At the same time, the wetland creates a new haven for biodiversity that provides opportunities for recreation, research, and education. The project is part of the "Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme", by national water agency PUB. The Lorong Halus Wetlands and the accompanying Riverside Walk of the Punggol Promenade were just opened on 5 Mar 2011 and are poised to serve the nearby residents living in Punggol.


CONTEXT

The site is bounded by Sungei Serangoon to the west, now a dammed reservoir leading north to the Straits of Johor, and beyond that the public housing estate of Hougang East. The Tampines Expressway (TPE) slices the northern end of the site from the newly established Lorong Halus Wetlands, while the new Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) bounds the eastern edge of the site, beyond which is the extensive Paya Lebar Airport. To the south is the light industrial estate of Defu Lane. A heavy vehicle parking area is to the south west of the site.


Sources:

Meinhardt News, “Lorong Halus Landfill, Singapore”, 14 Jun 2004 http://www.meinhardtgroup.com/newsdeskdetail.php?nid=97

Quek, Augustine, “An Island Landfill for an Island Nation”, Pollution Engineering, 1 Nov 2008

http://www.pollutionengineering.com/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000459744

URA News Release, “New eco-friendly Wetland and Riverfront Promenade for the North-East” 5 Mar 2011

http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2011/pr11-25.html


Read more...

DMP Archive

Design My Place