Queenstown, Singapore
Queenstown | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| •Chinese | Nữ hoàng trấn |
| •Malay | Queenstown |
| •Tamil | குவீன்ஸ்டவுன் |
      From top to bottom: The Sandcrawler atOne North,University Cultural Centre at the Kent Ridge campus of theNational University of Singapore,Haw Par Villa,Panoramic view ofGhim Mohat night,HDBflats along Queensway,Kent Ridge Park. | |
 Location of Queenstown in Singapore | |
 Location in Central Region | |
| Coordinates:1°17′39″N103°47′10″E/ 1.29417°N 103.78611°E | |
| Country |  Singapore |
| Region | Central Region
|
| CDCs | |
| Town councils |
|
| Constituencies | |
| Government | |
| • Mayors | Central Singapore CDC
North West CDC South West CDC |
| • Members of Parliament | Holland-Bukit Timah GRC
Tanjong Pagar GRC West Coast GRC |
| Area | |
| • Total | 20.43 km2(7.89 sq mi) |
| • Residential | 2.10 km2(0.81 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 95,930 |
| • Density | 4,700/km2(12,000/sq mi) |
| Postal districts | 3, 5 |
| Dwelling units | 30,546 |
| Projected ultimate | 60,000 |
Queenstownis aplanning areaandsatellite residential townsituated on the south-westernmost fringe of theCentral Region of Singapore.It bordersBukit Timahto the north,Tanglinto the northeast,Bukit Merahto the east and southeast, as well asClementito the northwest and west. Its southern and southwesternmost limits are bounded by thePandan Strait.[4][5]
Developed by theSingapore Improvement Trustin the 1950s and subsequently by theHousing and Development Boardin the 1960s, Queenstown was the first satellite town to be built in the country. Most apartments within the township consists of simple one, two, or three-room flats, typically in low-rise, walk-up blocks. Major development work was carried out during the first Five-Year Building Programme between 1960 and 1965. A total of 19,372 dwelling units were constructed between 1952 and 1968.[6]
The headquarters ofGrab,Razerand theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) are located in Queenstown.
Etymology[edit]
Queenstown was named afterQueen Elizabeth IIto mark Her Majesty’scoronationin 1953. The area was previously known by theMandarin ChinesenameWu-wei-gang(Wade Giles:Wu-wei-kang), or inHokkienas Boh Beh Kang.[7]The arterial road Queensway was officially named in 1954.
History[edit]
Previously, the area which Queenstown currently occupies was a largeswampyvalleywith a channel running through in a southeastern direction. On either side of this agricultural area were hills –feng xingandfeng ling.[8]The former was a rubber plantation and the latter, a cemetery also known asboh beh kang.[8]The village in the area, with mainlyHokkienandTeochew-speaking dwellers was also the area was inhabited by hundreds of people inattap-roofed huts, cultivating vegetables, growing fruits and rearing pigs and chickens.[8]Buller Camp, a Britishmilitary camp,was also set up there until 1953 when it was cleared for the new housing estate.[6]
DuringWorld War II,Pasir Panjang Ridgebecame a battleground during theJapanese Invasion of Singapore,where afierce battlewas fought between the defendingMalay Regimentand the Japanese troops in February 1942. Despite its valiant efforts to defendBukit Chandu(Opium Hill in Malay), a key strategic defence position, the Malay Regiment was eventually defeated as it was greatly outnumbered. In 2002,a war museumwas opened in Bukit Chandu to commemorate the Battle of Pasir Panjang.
In 1947, the Housing Committee of Singapore highlighted the problem of inadequate housing in Singapore. The report proposed the decentralisation of the population away from the city with the building of self-contained residential areas in the suburbs. This proposal was believed to be an influence of theNew townmovements in post-warBritain.
The area was subsequently chosen by Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) as a site for housing development due to its proximity to the successful first public housing scheme inTiong Bahru.Plans for the development of the area were first announced to the general public on 27 September 1953, with construction of Queenstown's first estate,Princess MargaretEstate (named after HM Elizabeth II's younger sister) having already begun last in July last year.[9]By late 1953, a preliminary batch of 3-room flats was ready for occupation. By 1956, work on the Princess Margaret Estate (later shortened to Princess Estate) had more than 1,000flatscomprising one, two and three-room units and 68 terrace houses. A ceremony was held in October that year for Forfar House, a 14-storey block which was a prominent landmark in those days as it was the tallest HDB flat at that point of time.
The area continued to develop as a self-contained community. Some of the facilities and amenities developed included the Town Centre and the Swimming and Sports Complex. The former was fully completed in 1969 with three cinemas and a variety of outlets including anemporium,a fresh food market, a maternity and child health centre, abowling alleyand a nightclub cum restaurant. The swimming complex was completed in August 1970.
In the 1970s, the success of the new town led to the development ofBuona VistaandHolland Village,using the older neighbourhoods of Queenstown as a model. However, by the 1980s, the area had become a mature estate with a higher proportion ofsenior citizensresiding in the area than elsewhere, and a gradual migration of the younger generation into other HDB new towns.
Geography[edit]
Queenstown is bounded by the Ulu Pandan Canal,Ghim MohHousing Estate and the former Tanglin Camp area to the north, Alexandra Road to the east, Clementi Road to the west and the sea to the south. It covers an area of approximately 2,188ha.[10]The total population (1990 census) is 126,071 with 31,131 housing units.[11]It consists of 16 subzones, namelyGhim Moh,Holland Drive, Commonwealth, Tanglin Halt, Margaret Drive, Mei Chin, Queensway, Portsdown,Buona Vista,Singapore Polytechnic,Dover,National University,Kent Ridge,Pasir Panjang,Pasir Panjang II, and the Port.
Pasir Panjanglies to the south of Queenstown (Pasir PanjanginMalaymeans "long sandy beach" ). The coastline was dotted withMalayvillages, the main economic activities being fishing andsmall-scale agriculture.Only after the war, did the development of the area begin, withbungalowsalong the coastline being built in the 1950s. Today, Pasir Panjang is a popular recreational area forsea sportsand attractions such as theHaw Par Villa.
Main housing estates[edit]
The main housing areas within Queenstown include:
- Princess Estateis the first subdistrict of the Queenstown District consists of several precincts like Strathmore andDawson.It is also the first rebuilt estate under SERS.
- Duchess Estateis the second subdistrict of Queenstown district which consists of Queenstown Centre and Margaret Drive. Several blocks of 2-storey and 3-storey flats are located in this area. It is also the second rebuilt estate under SERS.
- Tanglin Haltconsists of rows of ten storey flats. The remaining HDB flats at Tanglin Halt will be demolished by 2021. It is also the third rebuilt estate under SERS.
- Commonwealth Estateis located nearCommonwealth MRT stationand consists of precincts like Commonwealth Close and Commonwealth Crescent. It is best known for having a fantastic view of Singapore's Downtown. It is also the fourth rebuilt estate under SERS, to be demolished together with Tanglin Halt.
- Queen's Closeis a cluster of flats bounded by Mei Ling district, Portsdown Road and Alexandra Road. Queen's Crescent is now demolished and redevelopment will only begin in 2021.
- Mei Ling/Mei Chinis built from the excavation of two hills, Hong Lim and Hong Yin Hill which are used for cemetery purposes. It is also where Queenstown district got its name Boh Beh Kang, or a river with no source.
- Buona Vistais the last district built in Queenstown. However, it has developed a distinct and unique identity today that is commonly not linked with Queenstown.
- Doveris a small neighbourhood located in the south of Buona Vista. It is also commonly not associated with Queenstown despite being under its planning area. Dover is known to have many schools around its neighbourhood andNational University of SingaporeandSingapore Polytechnicis also located in this region.
- Ghim Mohis an estate located beside Buona Vista known for its attractive food. It consists of 28 blocks.
Forfar Heights[edit]
Forfar House, or Block 39, was built in 1956 by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) as a 14-storey block (which at that time was the tallest residential building in Singapore, holding the record until the building of a 20-story block at Selegie in 1963). Also known asChap Si Lao,it was an early part of the mixed height development of the area. The new blocks at Forfar Heights are featured with blue glazing and blue floodlights at the roofline, reminiscent of the early days, where many units were characterised by the blue glass in their windows, by which the district was acquired itsHokkiennameLam Po Lay.
Block 39, Forfar Square, had 106 three-room-flats, four shops, and an eating house, until it was demolished in the early 2000s together with the surrounding SIT blocks under the Selectiveen blocRedevelopment Scheme (SERS). Currently, the new Forfar Heights consists of two 40-storey blocks (Blk 48, 52) and three 30-storey blocks (Blk 49–51). Residency was offered to residents from the old Forfar House and Blocks 6A & 6B Margaret Drive in 1996, and residents from Block 172–175 Stirling Road[12]& Block 96 Margaret Drive in 2001. The new blocks were launched onTree Planting Day 2005 and SERS Completion Ceremonyon 6 November 2005 with guest of honour,Minister MentorLee Kuan Yewand Member of Parliament forTanjong PagarGRC.
The name for Forfar Heights had its origin from Forfar Square, which like most Queenstown street names, was connected to theBritish Royal Family.The nameForfarcomes fromThe Royal Burgh of Forfar,a Scottish town near the childhood home ofQueen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.[note 1]
Demographics[edit]
Being the first satellite HDB town in Singapore, Queenstown has one of the highest proportions of elderly aged 65 and above. Many of the residents live in smaller 2-room and 3-room flats. As a result, Queenstown earned its reputation as an "elderly town".
Further developments in Dawson located in Princess Estate have attracted many young Singaporeans to this area in the 2000s as part of the urban renewal efforts. It was announced in 2006 that Margaret Drive will be developed into a modern district with amenities.[13]
Due to the comparatively longer heritage of Queenstown district, local community has flourished. Various online communities such as MyQueenstown have been introduced by the local, independent parts of the district. This has certainly changed the image of the district.
Transportation[edit]
Mass Rapid Transit[edit]
There are 9Mass Rapid Transitstations that serve the planning area, across 2 lines, theEast West Lineand theCircle Line.Both lines have an interchange station at Buona Vista station. The 9 stations are:
- EW19Queenstown
- EW20Commonwealth
- EW21CC22Buona Vista
- EW22Dover
- CC21Holland Village
- CC23one-north
- CC24Kent Ridge
- CC25Haw Par Villa
- CC26Pasir Panjang
Bus[edit]
There are 3 bus terminals within the planning area.Buona Vista Bus Terminalis located along Holland Drive while Ghim Moh Bus Terminal is located along Ghim Moh Road. Both of which are near to the Buona Vista MRT Station. Kent Ridge Bus Terminal is located within the vicinity of the Kent Ridge campus of theNational University of Singapore,at the western portion of the planning area.
All three bus terminals within the planning area are anchored by Clementi Bus Package underBus Contracting Model.
Roads[edit]
Queenstown planning area is connected by road to the rest of Singapore via theAyer Rajah Expressway,a major expressway connecting western Singapore to theCentral Area,and also toJohorvia theTuas Second Link.Major roads in the planning area includeQueensway,which is part of theOuter Ring Road System(ORRS), a semi-expressway, together with Portsdown Avenue. Queensway intersects withCommonwealth Avenue,a major road that parallels the East West Line and continues intoCommonwealth Avenue Westat Buona Vista. At the southern portion, theWest Coast Highwayis a major arterial road that links the district of Pasir Panjang to theJurong Industrial Estateto the west and the Central Area to the east. At the eastern border with Bukit Merah,Alexandra Roadis a major road that connectsPasir Panjang Roadwith Ayer Rajah Expressway, Queensway and Commonwealth Avenue.
Education[edit]
Primary schools[edit]
Secondary schools[edit]
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
- Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)
- New Town Secondary School
- Queenstown Secondary School
- Queensway Secondary School
- School of Science and Technology, Singapore
Tertiary Institutions[edit]
- Anglo-Chinese Junior College
- National University of Singapore(Kent Ridge Campus)
- Singapore Institute of Technology(Main Campus until September 2024)
- Singapore Polytechnic
Other schools[edit]
- Anglo-Chinese School (International)
- Dover Court International School
- ESSEC Business School
- INSEAD Asia
- Rainbow Centre
- S P Jain School of Global Management
- Tanglin Trust School
- United World College of South East Asia
- MDIS UniCampus
Other amenities[edit]
Places of worship[edit]
Chinese temples[edit]
- Phoh Teck Siang Tng Temple
Churches[edit]
- Aldersgate Methodist Church
- Church of Christ, Pasir Panjang
- Church of our Saviour
- Church of the Blessed Sacrament
- Church Of The Good Shepherd
- Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church
- Faith Methodist Church
- Free Community Church
- Holy Covenant Methodist Church
- Living Waters Methodist Church
- Nazareth Bible-Presbyterian Church
- New Creation Church
- Norwegian Seamen's Mission
- Pasir Panjang Christ Church
- Pasir Panjang Hill Brethren Church
- Queenstown Lutheran Church
- Reformed Evangelical Church (Singapore)
- St. John's - St. Margaret's Church
- The 'Fisherman of Christ' Fellowship
Hindu temples[edit]
- Sri Muneeswaran Temple
Mosques[edit]
- Masjid Ahmad
- Masjid Hang Jebat
- Masjid Hussain Sulaiman
- Masjid Jamek Queenstown
- Masjid Mujahidin
- Musollah Prayer Hall
- Surau Ghim Moh
Shopping Centres[edit]
- Anchorpoint
- Dawson Place
- Holland Piazza
- Holland Road Shopping Centre
- Margaret Market
- One Holland Village
- Queensway Shopping Centre
- Raffles Holland V
- Rochester Mall
- The Star Vista
- Viva Vista Shopping Mall
Parks[edit]
- Alexandra Canal Linear Park
- Canterbury Park
- HortPark
- Kent Ridge Park
- one-north Park
- Pasir Panjang Park Connector
- Ridout Tea Garden
- West Coast Park
Community centres/clubs[edit]
- Buona Vista Community Club
- Dover Community Centre
- Queenstown Community Centre
- Ulu Pandan Community Club
Sports facilities[edit]
- Queenstown ActiveSG Stadium
- Sports @ Buona Vista
- Winchester Tennis Arena
Hospitals[edit]
Tourist attractions[edit]
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^Ballater Close and Forfar Square(former road area Change to unnamed road for some reason).
References[edit]
- ^ab"Queenstown (Planning Area, Singapore) – Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location".citypopulation.de.
- ^abHDB Key Statistics FY 2014/2015Archived4 March 2016 at theWayback Machine
- ^"Statistics Singapore – Geographic Distribution – 2018 Latest Data".Retrieved11 February2019.
- ^ab"URA 2014 Master Plan".Urban Redevelopment Authority.
- ^"STATISTICS SINGAPORE – Map of Planning Areas/Subzones in Singapore"(PDF).Singapore Department of Statistics.18 February 2015. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 18 February 2015.Retrieved16 August2022.
- ^ab"DGP3-Outram".Archived fromthe originalon 21 April 2008.Retrieved17 December2005.
- ^"Boh Beh Kang Villagers".Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2013.
- ^abcSavage, Victor R. (2013).Singapore street names: a study of toponymics.Brenda S. A. Yeoh. Singapore. p. 730.ISBN978-981-4484-74-9.OCLC868957283.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^"New Town for 70,000".The Straits Times.Singapore. 28 September 1953.Retrieved23 April2022.
- ^"DGP3-Outram".23 March 2003. Archived fromthe originalon 23 March 2003.Retrieved16 August2022.
- ^"URA Planning Report – QUEENSTOWN".30 April 2002. Archived fromthe originalon 30 April 2002.Retrieved16 August2022.
- ^"Stirling Residences Condo @ Queenstown-69695530 Singapore".23 February 2018.
- ^"My Queenstown".
