Transforming Our Tanjong Pagar Town – Expansive renewal plans set for Bukit Merah and Queenstown along with other smaller neighbourhoods

Bukit Merah is often known as the vibrant centre of our town, while Queenstown is Singapore’s first satellite town developed by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) in the 1950s. Both of these areas have among the oldest populations in the country.   We are delighted to share that interesting developments are coming your way to […]

Environment - 20/10/2023
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elhdb17 - The Alexandra Village Neighbourhood Centre will be upgraded with refreshed paving, pocket parks, barrier-free accessibility and play areas. Credit: HDB

Bukit Merah is often known as the vibrant centre of our town, while Queenstown is Singapore’s first satellite town developed by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) in the 1950s. Both of these areas have among the oldest populations in the country.

 

We are delighted to share that interesting developments are coming your way to ensure that these areas continue to thrive with good food, great connectivity to amenities, and bustling community spaces. 

 

About 79,000 residents at Queenstown and the neighbouring Farrer Road estate, as well as 130,500 residents in Bukit Merah can look forward to the Remaking Our Heartland (ROH) programme by the Housing Development Board (HDB). At the same time, we have made plans to rejuvenate the neighbourhoods of Jalan Rumah Tinggi, Clarence Lane, Jalan Bukit Merah, and Holland Close with the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).

Capturing the Essence of Community

In our ever-evolving world, the heart of every community lies in the spirit of its residents and the places they call home. These NRPs will not only rejuvenate the physical spaces but also to strengthen the bonds that define our community.

 

The beating heart of these initiatives was the engagement and interaction with our wonderful residents during the NRP exhibitions that we held over the past two years. Here are some of the highlights at th!

Jalan Rumah Tinggi: Active Collaborations to Create Vibrant Neighbourhoods

Here’s a glimpse of how we work together with our residents to enable residents of all ages and all abilities to participate meaningfully in community life with pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and multi-generational fitness facilities in Jalan Rumah Tinggi. 

 

To facilitate these transformative changes, we proposed a makeover for the Eco Park, the family plaza at Blk 40, the activity plaza at Blks 12-14, and the games area behind Blk 37A. Additionally, we aim to encourage active ageing for our elderly residents through the implementation of a simple wayfinding system to assist with navigation and the addition of more benches in the lift lobby areas.

 

From early 2021, we formed a working committee with HDB and our residents to help realise our aspirations for the neighbourhood. Then we shared our plans with the rest of our residents during the Public Consultation stage. There were very good suggestions for the different projects in the preliminary design. Our working committee then carefully considered all the options before presenting the refined proposal at the Consensus Gathering stage in 2022, where our residents voted with a resounding yes to all proposals! It is through the active participation of our residents together with our architects and the HDB, that we are now able to eagerly wait for the works to start. These video highlights encapsulate the collective spirit and collaboration.

Clarence Lane: Flourishing Greenery

Clarence Lane, an enclave nestled in the vast greenery surrounding the Tanglin area, is going to undergo a fresh revitalisation of its green spaces unlike any other. Residents of Clarence Lane have been enjoying their quiet evening walks and exercising at the Alexandra Canal Linear Park for many years. To complement this, there will be a proposed family park with a well-lit jogging track that you can even use at night, sitting areas underneath a canopy of trees, and we are retaining the well-used existing fitness equipment. We invite you to immerse yourselves in the sensory garden with a variety of coloured garden plants that will not only relax you after a long day but also deepen your appreciation for the ample green spaces we are creating. Some of these photos illustrate how green spaces are swiftly becoming indispensable to our daily lives, fostering a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

Holland Close: Thriving Spaces for Intergenerational Bonding

In Holland Close, we are embracing more pedestrian-friendly features, enabling residents to move about with greater comfort and convenience.

 

The centrepiece of the project is going to be the transformation of the existing playground, elderly fitness corner, street soccer court, and community garden into an integrated sports and recreation area. We want to empower intergenerational families to maintain active lifestyles together and nurture their hobbies with more contemporary facilities.

 

These three Neighbourhood Renewal Programmes merely mark the inception of our sustained dedication towards a more prosperous and vibrant Tanjong Pagar. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for entrusting us with the privilege of shaping the future of our community.

 

Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of these projects and the exciting initiatives that lie ahead. Together, we are crafting a future where Tanjong Pagar continues flourishing as a vibrant and inclusive community.

Kampong Tiong Bahru: Reconnecting with our past, Building for our future.

As part of the upcoming NRP at Blocks 108, 109, 111 and 132 to 139 Jalan Bukit Merah, we will reclaim the area’s distinctive character and charm by reviving its original name from the 1920s: Kampong Tiong Bahru East. 

 

We’re also looking toward the future with new, modern amenities that will enable you to create fresh memories and write your own rich history for generations to come. Our neighborhood enhancements bring back memories of a typical Kampong. Block 108 will be transformed into a spacious green and recreational area, featuring a viewing deck for activities like Yoga, Tai Chi, and picnics. Adjacent to this, a proposed running track will lead to a three-generational fitness corner, equipped with fitness stations of varying difficulty levels, promoting personal fitness development for all residents. Recognising the substantial number of elderly residents in our community, our top priority is to ensure their easy access to essential amenities, regardless of the weather. To achieve this, we’re proposing thoughtful additions such as a rainscreen on the ground floor of Block 108, along with covered linkways and ramps in the surrounding blocks. The true spirit of Kampong living lies in community togetherness. To foster this, we’re committed to enhancing the Residents’ Committee (RC) center into a vibrant hub where residents can gather, engage, and strengthen neighborly bonds, in line with the inclusive and spirited atmosphere that modern neighborhoods deserve.

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