Design My Place

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 19^th 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 19^th century to the mid 10^th 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