py (3)
goes by the name veron (english) or wanting (chinese). a definitive leo born august 1, 1984. a solo traveler. loves cats, coffee, sensual music, yummy food and technology. when she's not at her job as an IS developer for the government, she's likely to be out dining, or visiting an interesting art gallery or event.
i wouldn’t normally promote events from the organisation i’m working for unless it’s something noteworthy, and i genuinely feel that this particular exhibition is worth visiting.
HDB is currently holding a roving exhibition titled “remaking our heartland“. it revolves around the 3 R’s. not “recycle, reuse and reduce” but these:
- realising the vision for new estates
- rejuvenating communities in middle-aged estates
- regenerating old estates
when i visited the exhibition last week, i half expected to be bored. instead, i was wowed by some of the exciting proposals. of course, the beautifully-done illustrations certainly helped a lot!
the exhibition is organised into several key areas with models of towns and artists’ impressions of how the realised plans would look. punggol, yishun and dawson are used as examples of how new, middle-aged and old estates can be transformed.
what is most impressive to me is HDB’s plan to transform punggol into a “waterfront town of the 21st century”. the two rivers, sungei punggol and sungei serangoon, on either side of the town would be dammed up to create two new reservoirs.
a 20 to 30 meter long waterway would snake through the town itself to link up the two reservoirs! that means waterfront living, water-based activities and waterfront al fresco dining!
this proposed building above would be used for residential and commercial purposes. it looks very familiar to me, as though there already exists a similar-looking building somewhere. can someone tell me what it is?
the home improvement program will provide repair such as improved toilets, piping, grille gates, et cetera. 300,000 flats built in 1986 or before would be eligible for this program.
middle-aged estates such as yishun would be rejuvenated. there would be a new hospital, library and an air-conditioned bus interchange like the current toa payoh bus interchange. to be honest, the development plans for yishun don’t sound all that exciting to me.
i do like the proposed boardwalk and landmark tower at yishun pond. that would be something eye-catching.
the dawson estate in queenstown is an area near my place. among the many proposed improvements such as sky gardens, the housing-in-a-park living environment and a more efficient pedestrian network, this particular block of flats designed by the woha architect firm stood out.
every unit in this block would have its own look. residents would be able to pick their preferred facades for their balconies, monsoon windows, planter boxes and bay windows. the entire block of flats would effectively be a completely random multitude of jumbled colors! it might turn out very unique or very ugly.
from now until october 3, the exhibition would travel to different parts of the island.
do catch the exhibition where you would be able to give your ideas on the spot! if you’re not able to pay a visit, there is also a very comprehensive virtual exhibition that recreates what the actual exhibition showcases.
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Hmmm familiar building… Are you talking about the Singapore Post Centre in Aljunied? View all comments by pkchukiss
When I try to recall, that’s the first thought that comes to mind. But I did a search and found that the building doesn’t exactly look all that similar. It probably is the one though.
And to be more accurate, it is at Paya Lebar :) View all comments by Veron
Right! Paya Lebar, I was forgetting which MRT station it was next to. The facades look very much similar I think it could be the work of the same architect? View all comments by pkchukiss
You’re probably right. Not much creativity ain’t it? The moment I saw that illustration I thought I had already seen it before. View all comments by Veron
2 words - Noisy and Dusty. It will be years before all these become a reality - meanwhile, property prices in those affected areas will be either artificially inflated or deflated (depending on how long the construction will be).
We’ve created such a huge construction industry that we need to keep it constantly tuned and moving - the one who suffers the most are the environment and the residents.
Don’t they get it? Our heartlands are fine - we don’t need remaking! Leave us in peace!
*sigh* Singaporeans seem to like to dig everywhere; as if we can find gold in Singapore. Its gonna be years of digging baby! So be prepared for it. View all comments by Miccheng
I’ve lived in the same old estate all my entire life and I love the changes that’s been done over the years. As a result of these changes, there are now lifts going up to the hilltop (where I live), whereas previously residents had access only via a long staircase. It was extremely grueling for the old folks.
Everything disintegrates overtime. What is fine now wouldn’t remain this way, say, 5 years from now. I say, bring on all the proposed improvements and maintenance works. We can do with refreshing landscape changes.
Old heritage buildings would be preserved as part of the 3 R’s. There would be new information boards in old and middle-aged estates to educate residents on the history behind their neighborhood.
Oh yeah, these are just PROPOSED plans. The exhibition is where the public can voice their opinions and grievances regarding these plans. View all comments by Veron
Since when has public opinion / grievances been a big factor in changing these plans? When it has reach this stage - it becomes more an exercise of “explanation” of policy - not consultation! ie. “We hear ya… but we’re doing it our way cos we know what’s best”.
^_^ sorry… just griping… nothing against the effort and i welcome the changes. I’d rather they use the money to lower cost of housing or fully subsidize conservancy charges…
I really doubt all the “improvements” will be free. Residents will have to pay for these (or partially). Read: More financial burden for the people. View all comments by Miccheng
Hi, abit out of topic here but your photos are so clear and rich in color. What kind and brand of camera are you using? Tks! View all comments by Clara
I’ve seen some obscene amount of upgrading in my estate. There’s this footpath which they built two years ago. They ripped it up just earlier this year to turn it into a sloping one, and then ripped it a third time to install safety rails. I don’t know if it is the Town Council or the HDB, but I find that an immense waste of money. It doesn’t help that the majority of people using the path cut through the beaten path just off the paved footpath.
Plan it once, build it right - then save the money for rainy days. That is what they ought to have done. View all comments by pkchukiss
Miccheng: I see your point. The Home Improvement Program would have both essential (free) and optional improvements. Residents would have to pay (at subsidised rates) for whichever optional improvements that they opt for. It would always be difficult to balance the need between savings and providing better housing for residents. But as far as I know, a lot is being done towards helping people afford housing, especially for the needy.
Clara: I am using a compact digital camera from Minolta-Konica. All my photos have been processed in Photoshop before they are published.
pkchukiss: That sounds like the result of some really bad planning to me. I think it’s the job of the town council. And yes, it sure is a waste of money and manpower! But look on the bright side — at least efforts are being put in to make any form of improvement to your estate. View all comments by Veron
well… the familiar building looks similar to The Central? Kinda round facade with a big entrance opening to a water view?
or the upcoming new NUS Guild House where also has round facade with a central activity area with a pond like feature? View all comments by ninervictor
Yeah… It’s probably The Central. The point is, there are so many similar-looking buildings these days. Even with this proposed building of the future, it already looks similar to existing buildings!
Do we not have enough creative architects in Singapore? View all comments by Veron
Interesting post Veron. I just hope that the changes will not destroy the charm and original character of each of the estates. I love my old mature estate which is just a short distance from the city, plus its so near to Sentosa and Mount Faber. ;) View all comments by walter
Looks like we live pretty close to each other! View all comments by Veron
Just completed the online survey. Hope all the plans bear fruit. : ) View all comments by Bert
Hi! I’m a student from TP, doing Interior Architecture and design. I have to agree with you that, somehow Singapore’s architecture do look the same. It is indeed hard to find something that is really unique or identity. The few distinctive ones can be found here are mainly designed by renowed foreign architects like I.M Pei (Suntec City) or Kisho Kurokawa (Wheelock place)
I think local Architects are talented (look at one Fullerton), but they probably need to look at things from different perspective. Hope that we’ll see more creative works around in Singapore in the future! View all comments by 0500015c
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