Think See Do Urban issues that matter The city in new light Tips on shaping the city WANDER MORE What makes Chinatown?

1 Explore We seek to stay 03 07 11 15 Croc meat and Birds’ How do you What if you could curious with calligraphy haven revitalise a river? cycle this island? Step inside clan The birds are flocking Re-experiencing ’s Photographer Joseph Nair associations and wet back to Marshes, longest river, we catch a tries out 3 cycling routes markets to uncover what Singapore’s largest glimpse of its past and unveiling stunning views that makes Chinatown feel like freshwater marshland. We future. entice us to step on that bike wanderlust Chinatown. find out why. again. and wonder in See 21 23 26 28 Drawing the If Tin Tin Physical spaces Who is understanding city: batman visits are more that guy and dragons Singapore… than shells in white? 4 out of 33 artists reveal Inspired by Tin Tin and Artist Koh Hong Teng tells us How do you get people to our city. personal glimpses of Doraemon, illustrator Lee why we need to tell stories remember forgotten places? Singapore’s cityscape with Xin Li draws us into an about buildings and places. By taking selfies…of a their works exhibited along the alternate universe of this different kind. sidewalks of the URA Centre island. celebrating Singapore’s 50th birthday in 2015. 31 35 Time travelling with Road is not just Royston Tan ‘Little ’ Filmmaker Royston Tan 4 photographers and 30 on panda-hunting and students delved deeper to peel preserving memories. away the rich layers of this historic enclave in a year-long The physical and living spaces around documentation project. us are “not just shells that encase us, but are an extension of ourselves,” says Think comic artist Koh Hong Teng on what fascinates him about buildings and 39 43 46 48 places. They are imprints in time and Lessons from Designing for Making streets From cooking to space that hold stories and secrets of ’s communities safer for the harvesting flies what was before and what is to come. block 55 disabled Intimately linked to who we are and What can a humble block Enabling Village’s people- Debra Lam, co-founder of Meet Ng Jia Quan, how we live, we seek to stay curious teach us about our past and centric design has been Society Staples, wants to create Singapore’s insect farmer at with wanderlust and wonder in future? bringing communities more conversations and wider Citizen Farm. together. sidewalks for people with understanding our city. It begins with disabilities. telling stories about our urbanscape. Do Wander More presents 16 stories from the e-magazine, Going Places Singapore, 51 54 that capture places in Singapore that 3 ways to live How to grow move us, buildings that teach us, waste free herbs at home individuals who inspire us to rethink Writer Michelle Ng A novice gardener puts her our physical spaces and ways we can get challenged herself to live green thumbs to the test started as active citizens. waste free for a week. by growing her own herb garden. Here are 4 things she learnt from the process.

1 Explore

What makes Chinatown feel like Chinatown? How did Kranji Marshes attract the birds again? How do we revitalise Croc meat the longest river? and calligraphy Step inside clan associations and wet markets to What if we could cycle uncover what makes Chinatown feel like Chinatown.

WRITER around the island? Daniel Seifert PHOTOGRAPHER Philipp Aldrup We walked, we cycled. Pop quiz: my shoes smell like a pungent local identity and traditions continue to mix of stingray, frog, rambutan and fresh evolve and fascinate us. Some businesses And we stopped. pork meat. Where have I been walking? and stakeholders have found ways to The wet market at Chinatown Complex, retain its rich soft heritage. of course! To rediscover another Sink your teeth into traditions We are on a mission to capture the essence of one of Singapore’s most well- What makes this place so evocative is that side of familiar places known neighbourhoods. It is less about it still smells like the things it sells. You physical buildings, and more about the also get a free show whenever you visit, a enclave’s ‘soft heritage’: an intangible mix whirlwind of activities behind and around around Singapore. of traditions, crafts and businesses that the counters. There is a butcher scraping continues to make Chinatown intriguing. a hog trotter free of its bristles, as lovingly Contrary to some of our perceptions of as a barber giving a high-class wet shave. Chinatown as being highly sanitised, its And in a corner, a cageful of frogs, placidly

2 3 “We want to bring tea culture to people help clans foster a more open mindset here, which is exactly what the founder that helps them put their message out of Pek Sin Choon wanted. If we didn’t to the world. want that so badly, we could have given up 20 years ago.” So how is the business “One suggestion,” Yan Chang says, managing to adapt to modern times? “would be to open up private events For one thing, it isn’t avoiding the online to the public.” While some clans still revolution — they now sell teas online, harbour a more private air, others and have become part of TimeTracks have embraced opening up, and now SG50, an interactive app that tracks a even accept members of different user’s GPS and tells stories behind nationalities, races and religions. local businesses. In fact one of our volunteer guides, Cleverly, none of these changes interfere signed up to be a member. I think she’s with the vintage look and feel of the American, but she can proudly say, shop, allowing for a sweet balancing act ‘this is my clan now’.” between old and new. But at the end of the day, “We have survived thanks to pure perseverance and passion,” says Eng Wah. Finding fresh faces But for me, I’m fine These small businesses still make up the with change. Things are prominent face of Chinatown, but there Blogger Victor Yue are other stakeholders that have faded always changing. All you shares his love for Chinatown: into the background: clan associations. can do is work hard. When Singapore experienced an immigration boom of mainland Chinese people over a century ago, the clans 1 were a vital support system, offering I have lived in or staring out from a sign that reads “4 for youngsters prefer to get out of the protection and contacts in a new city. around this area all $10”. They’re next to a stall that sells business and find other work.” Chinatown Nowadays, the government plays an A 21st century clan my life. As I grow older, I get more “live snake head” and “freshwater eels”. is changing, she admits. increasingly active role, says executive attached. Behind the counter is Yvonne, the third architect Lee Yan Chang, from the URA’s One clan that embodies just such generation in her family to run this stall. “But for me, I’m fine with change. Things conservation management department. a balance of tradition and openness, are always changing. All you can do is He and other planners have been focusing says Yan Chang, is the Gan Clan.

2 “Traditional dishes like this are still work hard.” more on outreach and place management Cleverly, they started a programme popular,” she says, proudly gesturing activities in conservation areas. It’s not that encourages young schoolchildren I love the typical chatting of to her mini-zoo of wares. “Do you Things certainly are changing: a frog’s just the built heritage that architects and to serve as tour guides for a new Cantonese (like sell crocodile meat too?” jokes the leap from her stall is a beautifully planners care for, it’s the soft heritage too. heritage centre that tells the story old times) mixed photographer. “Of course! It’s in the antiquated shophouse next to a sign that of the Gan clan. It is a great way to with other Chinese languages. Of fridge,” she laughs, kicking the humming says “Free Wi-Fi. Log on to wireless@ As part of efforts to revitalise the profile of nurture the next generation to share course, there’s unit with wet sandals. chinatown.” – Chinatown’s delicate dance Chinatown’s many still-existing clans, Yan clan stories from a young age. English and the with tradition and modernity. Chang led walking tours around several other foreign languages too. Turns out she’s not joking. “Do you want associations. These tours are now led by Such measures are largely thanks to the address where I get the meat?” She Yuen Eng Wah, assistant general manager URA volunteers. Stepping inside these Gan Ee Bee, vice honorary secretary of whips out her mobile and promptly at Pek Sin Choon, embodies the hard fascinating associations, he said visitors the association. Previously, the centre work Yvonne espouses. Working at one of consisted of a quiet, austere room 3 recites the location of a crocodile farm “realised there are so many clans over based in Singapore. Who knew? Singapore’s oldest tea merchants takes 100 years old here, still actively serving stuffed with thick curtains and solemn There is still the old (It’s at 321 Neo Tiew Crescent, in case motivation. For Eng Wah, that stems from the community in terms of organising ancestral portraits. Now, a S$500,000 aroma of the typical hawker food, you’re peckish). providing a service to everyday people. events.” But, often clinging to traditional redesign has seen the centre although more “It’s not about what Chinatown needs, ways, these clan associations struggle to brimming with audio-visual materials northern Chinese Are other stalls here multi-generation it’s about what the store can provide for attract new members in a modern world. and historic artefacts (like a roof tile food aromas are taking over. too? Some, she says, but not all. “Many customers,” he says. Hence one of Yan Chang’s remits was to from Confucius’s grandfather’s house).

4 5 “At the same time I feel we should work with social enterprises that support arts and crafts, maybe done by handicapped groups. I think that’s something that really engages the community and draws attention.”

Havens of traditional skills

Most importantly, perhaps, Ee Bee feels that clan associations embody age-old traditions that they can pass on to the younger generation. Like dialect language skills, music or calligraphy. “Chinatown has so many associations. If each clan could adopt a school by introducing some unique cultural programmes that would be great. That way a premise isn’t left vacant, and it helps clans survive,” he says.

It’s worth pondering the link between Chinatown and the deep reservoir of Chinese traditions and skills held by its residents. The clans are a bastion of this tradition, but if they don’t pass on their Birds’ haven skills, the loss of Singapore’s soft heritage The birds are flocking back to Kranji Marshes, could be felt throughout the island. “For Singapore’s largest freshwater marshland. example the lion dancers: their art is We find out why. passed through many generations,” says Yan Chang. “The father is a member of a troupe in a clan and brings his children to WRITER events, which gets them exposed early in Timothy Msir life. They’ll take part and pass on the art PHOTOGRAPHER Image above: URA Coupled with events that appeal to a to the next generation.” Mark Teo executive architect Yan Chang leading younger generation like networking and a tour at Ying Fo wine tasting nights, the clan is hoping to With organisations like the Gan Clan Fui Kun. inject fresh blood into the group. “The adapting to the modern era, whilst current demographics of membership are embracing their roots, Chinatown’s arts quite worrying,” says Ee Bee. and festivals should be able to survive Stepping into Kranji Marshes in the early overhead. It is a sanctuary for migratory and thrive. As we are about to leave the morning is like entering another world – and shore birds, and a respite from the The clan has even rented out part of its building, the photographer asks if we new sounds, smells and sights. I imagine city for the rest of us. premises to a high-end restaurant, a should close the rolling partitions which this must be what Singapore’s landscape clever way to reroute young professionals Ee Bee rolled back to reveal the view of looked like before it was transformed into Marshes are waterlogged low-lying land and families who come for a meal, and Bukit Pasoh. “No, you can leave them like a dense metropolis. areas that flood during wet seasons or are then intrigued by the heritage tour that,” she smiles. “Sometimes it’s good to during high-tide. They support a wide right next door. There are even plans open up.” Lying on the northwestern shore of Kranji range of aquatic plants, including reeds to potentially work with designers who Reservoir, there’s plenty to look out and grasses that function as natural imbibe the rich, 2,500-year-old history URA has been collaborating with the for in Kranji Marshes in the 20-minute habitats and shelter for a variety of fishes, of the Gan clan, then design attractive community to organise free walking walk through Neo Tiew Woods, from amphibians, invertebrates and birds. products that weave in that heritage. “I tours and cultural activities at the visitor’s centre at Kranji Gate to the While the public might be familiar with think it could be something meaningful Chinatown. To find out more, visit Marsh Station and core conservation wetlands because of the Sungei Buloh that people want to keep,” Ee Bee beams. http://uraconservation.eventbrite.com. area, including insects, monitor lizards Nature Reserve, a brackish (saltwater) and birds perched atop trees or flying mangrove swamp, the freshwater Kranji

6 7 4 things to do at Kranji Marshes:

1

Enjoy stunning sky-high views from Kranji Marshes’ raptor tower. Look out for landmarks such as the Moorhen pond and the BBC shortwave relay station.

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Have a one-of- a-kind outdoor learning experience at the Kingfisher Burrow. And climb to its arch for an instagram-worthy shot.

3

Construction began in 2014, and it took Bird-watch from blinds and hides. Image above: Marshes is dominated not by trees but by to return, they need the area to have a almost 2 years to clear and develop Spot shy birds Second Minister like the Common for National grasses, sedges and ferns, resulting in an good balance of exposed water area and the area. Moorhen or the Development, open landscape. vegetation,” Tuan Wah explained. marshes’ signature Desmond Lee, Former URA executive architect Lim Chu bird, the Purple spotted many birds Swamphen. at the opening of “Freshwater habitats are very rare in Opened to the public in 2016, Kranji Hwai who worked on the project said the the Kranji Marshes. Singapore, and at 57 hectares this is the Marshes is substantial and harbours a agency approached the site differently biggest one accessible to the public, so very rich array of marshland wildlife, in from how it plans parks or its other you’ll see a lot of interesting birds not particular birds. The area is an important projects, as the primary user at Kranji 4 found anywhere else”, National Parks roosting and feeding area for migratory Marshes is nature – birds in particular. Indulge in your Board (NParks) director of conservation shorebirds between August and April, “In this rather urbanised setting, parks inner child with Wong Tuan Wah said. The marsh was and is home to more than 170 species are usually man-made where you can sticks and stones. Kids and adults created in the early 1970s with the of birds, 54 species of butterflies, and 33 put in structures and plant lots of things alike love the many damming of the Kranji River that flooded species of dragonflies. One can also find to recreate nature. But here is a natural twig structures the low-lying catchment area. It functions threatened species of birds like the Purple landscape formed over time, left intact lying around the marshes. Think as a natural filtration system, cleaning Swamphen, Red-wattled Lapwing and and nature has claimed it back, so the of all the fun and filtering sediment-heavy water from Purple Heron here. consultants and engineers to restore primary idea is to keep and sensitively possibilities. several canals that flow into the marsh and enhance the existing habitats, restore this old and pristine landscape before draining into the Kranji Reservoir. A concerted effort provide public amenities and facilitate for the natural inhabitants. And only Left untouched for many years, the visitors to learn more about the area’s after achieving that, to provide public area became a habitat for many types Nature Society (Singapore) has managed biodiversity. “This is a very good example amenities and access so that the public of wildlife, but the vegetation has since 2 ponds in the area since 2008, when of the ‘three-Ps’ model where nature can enjoy this area,” he said. become overgrown, cutting off the it adopted the marsh under Public conservation involves the engagement of water surface and preventing birds from Utilities Board (PUB)’s Active, Beautiful, the three sectors of the community – the The project team also engaged nature foraging and hunting for food sources. Clean Waters Programme, but the public, private, and people, resulting in conservationists and ornithologists. “This restoration of the marshes saw the the successful long-term conservation is important because there are some very “If not maintained, the water surface involvement of public agencies like URA, of a substantial nature area,” Nature rare species here, and freshwater marshes areas will not be left open for long, as NParks, PUB, and groups like Nature Society (Singapore) vice-chairman of the have birds that are disappearing from water weeds grow very quickly. For birds Society (Singapore), as well as experts, conservation committee Ho Hua Chew said. Singapore altogether. Once the baseline

8 9 of the flora and fauna of the area was set, the scarcity of land, the government we determined where the important areas has set aside about 10 percent of the are, and fine-tuned the development country’s land area for nature, including plan: where to put the footpaths, bridges nature reserves and parks. “In terms of and hides, as we know where the sensitive biodiversity, it is important to have a areas are to avoid,” wildlife consultant variety and network of different habitats Subaraj Rajathurai, who also monitored complementing and supporting each the bird and wildlife population of the other to form a rich and complex whole, habitat monthly during its refurbishment, otherwise, fragmented parks and greens said. “We made sure not to cut down are generally weaker and have less certain trees, like the albizias, which are biodiversity on their own,” Chu Hwai said very good for birds,” he added. about the importance of wetlands in Singapore’s urban fabric. To minimise disturbance to wildlife and the marsh, an amphibious excavator was To minimise visitor and human impact on used to clear overgrown vegetation in the reserve, parts of the core conservation the ponds and to form new islets. They area will gradually be opened for public created different habitats in the area, access, depending on how the birds react. such as islands for birds and other places “We’re not just talking about a dense city for them to perch, what Sungei Buloh itself, but a dense city with lots of greens, Wetlands Reserve deputy director How and different types of greens. Success for Choon Beng calls “mixed-use housing”. this particular project is how much nature we retain, and how many birds we’ll be The amenities and facilities, mostly able to keep at the end of the day,” URA pre-fabricated offsite, include the 11-m director (projects) Teo Chong Yean said. How do you tall lookout tower, floating boardwalks and 8 blinds and hides for bird watching Subaraj said he noticed a rapid increase revitalise a river? and observing wildlife at close quarters. in bird life and other biodiversity as The eco-friendly and sustainable soon as the habitat was cleared. “So far, Re-experiencing Singapore’s longest river, we catch a glimpse of its past and future. infrastructure and amenities – skylights, based on the variety I’ve found – I’ve green roofs, and benches made from just did a survey a few weeks ago and recycled tree trunks – blend seamlessly found 68 species of birds in one morning into the natural surroundings. – indicates that it’s been successful,” WRITER he said. “The fact that URA is willing to Jennifer Eveland Giving wildlife a boost come to a nature area to do planning and design here, and got us [Nature Society] PHOTOGRAPHER Wilson Pang Singapore has proven that a high-density to give advice and consultation shows the living environment does not have to government’s commitment to preserving come at the expense of nature – despite this place as a nature area for the public to enjoy, which is a good thing. The enhancement they’ve done will definitely From Lower Pierce Reservoir in the the steady flow of time and the ever- bring a larger variety of wildlife, birdlife centre of the island, the River changing nature of life itself, the Kallang especially, to the area,” Hua Chew said at begins its journey, winding its way past River is it. Success for this the opening of high-rise heartland neighbourhoods the reserve. particular project is how and low-rise industrial estates. It flows We re-experience the river’s rich history dutifully through lush parks and concrete and biodiversity and learn how it can According to him, the best times to much nature we retain, canals alike, under massive bridges and continue to stand the test of time. visit are at the crack of dawn and in the expressways with ubiquitous acronyms and how many birds evenings, as there are more chances to like CTE (Central Expressway) and PIE Otters and purple heron spot the rare birds then. we’ll be able to keep at () and a heritage bridge named for merdeka, the call for An oasis of lush growth amid the Visit Kranji Marshes 11 Neo Tiew Lane 2 the end of the day. the nation’s independence. Singapore’s cityscape, Bishan- Park is longest river is 10 km long, but if ever a more than just an idyllic site for a river river symbolised the power of nature, to run. It’s a testament to the will and

10 11 3 things to know the ability of people to reclaim their our natural heritage by literally digging about Kallang river’s history: natural heritage. Where the river once deeper under the river itself. passed through a gaping concrete gash In the NSS 2007 feedback on Bishan-Ang of a canal, it now feeds 62 hectares of Mo Kio Park ABC Waters Programme, in 1 parkland frequented by wildlife, thanks which Hua Chew was involved, the society to the Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters advocated for the removal of concrete The Kallang river in its early days was Programme (ABC Waters) by the Public from the entire river bed and not just the home to different Utilities Board (PUB) and National Parks banks. “The uncovering of the mud-bed communities, one Board (NParks). of the former canal, even to some extent, The greening of which was the orang laut (sea would attract wildlife that haunts the gypsies), who lived “The greening of the river along this softer mud-beds at the shallow waters of the river in the vicinity stretch is very effective in terms of as well as the river-bottom,” he says. along this until 1848. biodiversity and aesthetics,” says Dr Ho “This will make the river more alive Hua Chew, vice-chair of the Conservation and interesting as well as ecologically stretch is Committee at the Nature Society beneficial.” 2 (Singapore) (NSS). Speaking from his own very effective “Kallang” could experience, he’s noticed more marshland Living by the river’s edge be a variant of the in terms of Malay word, kelang, birdlife feeding along the river and the meaning “mill” or marshy banks. More than 800,000 residents live within biodiversity “factory”. Industrial 2 km from the river. Gently down the activities were and aesthetics. prevalent near the “Very significant is the appearance of a stream in Bahru, residents mouths of various family of smooth otters, and the nesting can be seen fishing every day and, on rivers in the 1820s. of a purple heron on an angsana tree by rare occasions, kayaking. When the Ng the riverside,” says Hua Chew. “Frequent family moved here in 2007 they had no and that’s enough.” conservation in 2008. The airport was and regular otter sightings indicate that idea how much they would enjoy the 3 Singapore’s first purpose-built civil airport they have made their home here and not river. They chose their block, which is Rich with landmarks commissioned by the British colonial Kallang River just visiting or exploring. The nesting of nestled in a fork where a canal branches government in the 1930s. When it first became highly the purple heron is a first for Bishan-Ang off towards Whampoa, in part for the polluted until the To see now, it’s hard to opened, it was touted as one of clean-up in the Mo Kio Park and is very important, as unobstructed view that follows the path imagine the swamplands where early the most modern airport of its time 1970s and 1980s. nesting sites of this species are rare in of the river where it runs to the sea. On Javanese settlers, the orang kallang, with revolutionary facilities. Its runway Untreated waste Singapore. It’s a good sign of the health a clear day you can spy tiny cargo ships and sewage from lived on boats over 200 years ago. They is now Old Airport Road; its control hawkers and and viability of the wetland at this on the horizon. This wouldn’t be possible were resettled long before decades of tower vacant. market vegetable stretch.” if not for the river, says Bernard Ng. He land reclamation began in the 1930s, vendors used to spends time with his family by the river be dumped into permanently changing the river’s course. Remembering the old Kallang Gasworks, the river. Hua Chew believes we can dig further into jogging, scooting and fishing. The 1960s saw kampong houses making Lim Leong Seng, the sculptor created way for Housing & Development Board The Spirit of Kallang, using pipes “In Singapore, there is so much water flats and industrial blocks. By the late and other fittings from the gasworks. around us, but there is comparatively very 1970s, the water had turned to filth, Kallang Gasworks was built in 1862 by little interaction with the water,” he says. prompting a clean-up that would spark the Singapore Gas Company to supply There’s a lot of safety concerns about Singapore’s water story. piped gas for street lighting. Many locals getting into the water but that issue can would avoid the Kallang area due to the be explored progressively. “There’s no Over time, the area grew rich with strong stench of gas and fears of the plant need for planned water activities, either,” landmarks. Still today, the circa-1888 exploding, giving it the name “fire city”, he adds. “Just go in and dip your feet in Sri Manmatha Karuneshvarar Temple or huay sia in . After over 130 welcomes Hindu devotees, and the years of service, supplying the nation’s Merdeka Bridge, built in 1956, connects first piped gas to fuel streetlights and the riverbanks via . The employing generations, it was phased former Kallang Airport that hasn’t seen out in 1998. “Preserving memories of a plane since 1955 is now used for these public places is important since sports, recreation, offices or other forms it highlights the social obligation of of community uses in the interim. The the citizenry and gives them a sense terminal building has been gazetted for of belonging despite a relative short

12 13 historical heritage,” says Leong Seng. The river’s future

The kallang wave The river offers fresh possibilities for more to enjoy its meandering streams, strolling, cycling and mingling As the river nears the sea, its banks widen through neighbourhoods and communities and living and to form the Kallang Basin, a large body of working close to the water’s edge. And for more to come water made fresh after the construction out to play, with a wider range of sporting activities and of the Marina Barrage in 2008. It’s hard community spaces, celebrating its spirit and beauty. to miss the Singapore Sports Hub, the massive complex built to house virtually URA planners reimagined the river’s future with these top every sport facility can 10 ideas revealed in 2017. imagine. Kallang has been synonymous with sports since the 1973 opening of the Green Corridor original National Stadium. The new mega sporting complex which replaced it in 1. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park to Gardens by the Bay – greenery along 2014 will build on that legacy. the river can be enhanced, tapping on the rich biodiversity within these two parks.

“It’s unlike other stadiums which are built 2. Underpass below the Central Expressway (CTE) – this space for the sole purpose of hosting major could be turned into a vibrant community space with better What if games,” says Chin Sau Ho, Singapore headroom, lighting and seating. Sports Club senior director of corporate communications and stakeholder Bridging Neighbourhoods management. “We have a long-term vision of serving as a catalyst for the 3. Across and Upper Roads – possible emergence of .” underpasses could be developed across these roads for seamless you could access for pedestrians and cyclists. Around the shores of the basin, joggers run through shady parks and kayakers 4. Below – a possible underpass link can be developed launch their boats from palm-lined for greater connectivity along the riverfront to the Sports Hub. beaches, and not a day passes without spotting a dragon boat plying the calm 5. Across the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) – What if you can cycle or jog across the PIE? A possible cyclist-friendly crossing over the PIE waters. “Kallang is the main venue for cycle this can make this a reality. our events,” says Jason Chen, founder of Dragon Boat Innovate, an events company that organises corporate dragon boating New Homes & Communities activities. For over 20 years Jason has 6. Kallang Distripark – close to the upcoming MRT, been a competitive paddler, coach and this private industrial estate can be transformed into a quality dragon boat advocate. “I live for dragon residential precinct in future, with park and recreational spaces. island? boating,” he says. He launches his events from a few of the parks surrounding 7. Kallang Industrial Estate – this 73 ha estate can be turned into a vibrant mixed-use precinct with high-rise facilities to meet Photographer Joseph Nair tries out 3 cycling routes unveiling Kallang Basin, which he says are very modern industrial needs, closely integrated with future residential stunning views that entice us to step on that bike again. impressive to his clients, meetings, developments along the waterfront and parks. incentives, conferences and exhibitions 8. – a stone’s throw away from the Lavendar and (MICE) travellers. “They also get to see the WRITER / PHOTOGRAPHER Kallang MRT stations, the area is planned to be an attractive Joseph Nair Central Business District from the middle precinct that supports active mobility and environmental of the Kallang Basin, and the natural side sustainability. of Singapore they don’t get to see from the inside of a hotel room,” he says. Enlivening the River 9. Jason remembers when paddlers had the Kallang Riverside – this area is envisioned to be a vibrant mixed freedom to travel upriver all the way to use district in the longer term. In the interim, the conserved Bishan, exploring the network of canals Kallang airport terminal can be re-used for community sports and that go through distinct neighbourhoods recreational activities. 10. from the water’s vantage point. It is an Waterfront along Jalan Benaan Kapal – a possible 8 ha play zone unforgettable experience for him. with recreational and sporting facilities for all ages is being studied

14 Route 1 I don’t own a car, so getting from point A to B always meant a bus, taxi or MRT ride. Cycling has never been an option for me. Cycling, or so I thought, was only for the Dutch and the Lycra-clad.

But with LOOP, an app designed by students from the Singapore Management University, a journey planner and route tracker designed for recreational and newbie cyclists like me, I borrowed a foldable bike, dug up a helmet and hit the streets. Thankfully, one cannot forget how to ride a bike. 1 2 3

The commute test (route 1)

The first step: test how practical LOOP is for a commute. Queenstown and seemed a reasonable distance, so off I went. I fired up the app, entered the coordinates, and picked between the ‘shortest’ or ‘safest’ route. The latter felt more suitable for me, the almost- never cyclist, but I went a step further and divided the route into two: from Queenstown to , and then to 4 5 Sims Drive, where I had arranged to meet a friend. Once everything was keyed in, off I went. The map on LOOP marked the shop out the moon”) is popular for those seeking 4 6 things you at a corner of a HDB block nearby. So I love. A few photographs later, I set for From the eastern can see/do on bank of Kallang cycling route 1: Unfortunately, there wasn’t a ‘Scenic wheeled the bike over and accessorised, Sims Drive to Marina Barrage before Basin, take a photo Queenstown, Meander’ mode on LOOP – but that’s happy that the app creators added crossing over to the eastern side of the of Marina Bay Raffles Place, where my photographer’s instincts kicked that very useful little touch. Soon, the Kallang Basin. Sands, Art Science Sims Drive: in. So for my first scenic stop, I climbed skyscrapers of the Central Business District Museum, the Singapore Flyer, up to the roof garden on the 47th floor (CBD) loomed over me. I decided to pay a Here, I found an amazing, and little-known, with office towers 1 of SkyVille @ Dawson. From this vantage visit to Yueh Hai Ching Temple or “temple vantage point: from the eastern bank of in the backdrop – point, Indonesia’s Riau Islands peeked out of the calm sea”. the Kallang Basin, you can capture the 6 all in one frame. Catch glimpses from behind the blocks of , Marina Bay Sands, Art Science Museum of Indonesia’s Riau Islands from and to the north, the city of Bahru Tucked in a corner off Raffles Place, this and the Singapore Flyer, with the CBD the 47th floor of was visible. small temple has been standing here towers lined up behind them – all in one 5 SkyVille @ Dawson. since the 1820s. It’s now dwarfed by office frame. Even the Geylang River and its wide in time. Enjoy the beautiful After scouting out the rooftop – there’s towers, but back then it was the first port- park connector were unexpectedly pretty. Geylang river and its wide park a jogging path encircling it – I took of-call for migrants from the Chaoshan Once home to boatyards and traders, the I stopped at the junction of Lorong 2 connector. the lift down, hopped on the bike and region of Guangdong, China, after their river is now a lined canal. Bachok and Geylang Lorong 19 to see this Check out the continued my journey. Or at least tried to. long sea voyage. shophouse, with its iconic painted plaster jogging path also on the 47th floor. The seat of my bike was too hard, and I I also got to meet, by chance, the people reliefs. A Sepoy sergeant in pre-World War 6 knew I needed to do something about it. Figures from Chinese mythology stand on who keep the waters clean. The Waterway II puttees and a Sikh guard adorn the front Stop by the Fortunately, I met a bicycle courier while the temple’s roof – these were only added Watch Society organises regular clean-ups, of this well-maintained 1929 shophouse. A junction of 3 waiting for a traffic light who pointed me after the temple underwent renovations like this one with students from Damai strange menagerie of animals plays across Lorong Bachok to a bike shop nearby where I could find a in 2014. Among the deities the temple Secondary School. Leaving the slick park its beautiful façade. That was my last stop and Geylang Visit the Yueh Hai Lorong 19 to Ching temple at the padded seat cover. honours, Yue Lao (literally “old man under connector and entering Geylang, with before dinner and a train ride home – so admire a 1929 corner off Raffles its five-foot-ways, small temples and far, so good. Tomorrow, I would test out shophouse with Place, around since labyrinth of back alleys, was like a trip back the cycling routes that LOOP users have its iconic painted the 1820s. plaster reliefs. contributed to the database.

16 17 Route 2 4 things you can see/do on cycling The air was route 2: Park, Sungei much cooler Serangoon, : here, thanks to 3 the casuarina 1 woodlands, and Enjoy the popular Punggol Park, with Pokémon hunters, is filled with #fitspo people and instagram birdsong in the boyfriends. 2 4 1 evening. The

Route 3 sandy main trail 2

Check out the crunched under iconic Lorong Halus bridge and my tyres. take a shot at the popular photo spot amongst the reed wetlands.

3

Pedal along Sungei Serangoon to reach 1 2 3 Coney island with cooler air, filled with birdsong and sandy trails.

3 things you can see/do on cycling 4 The crowdsourced route test (route 2) Over the Lorong Halus bridge, the The navigation test (route 3) Sidled alongside the reservoir, the golf route 3: , temperamental sky almost forced me course of Country Club makes Seletar Country Encounter monkeys In addition to recommending routes based to call off my trip. Further down from To test the navigation capabilities of LOOP, for some surreal night photography. Club, Punggol along the way Barat island: via the western on coordinates you key in, LOOP has a the bridge, the reed wetlands of Lorong I decided I’d go on a night ride around LOOP has no robotic voice squawking causeway. library of cycling routes that have been Halus are a popular photo spot when somewhere unfamiliar: Yishun. I set the out directions, which I appreciated for

crowdsourced from other cyclists. Users dry. They serve as natural filters of water app for Khatib MRT and set off. Crossing not disturbing the quiet of the night. It 1 can rate and comment on these routes, and that flows out the now-disused Lorong Pulau Punggol Timur, I passed migrant did give me a clear path to follow, but the app ranks them by popularity. I picked Halus landfill into the Sungei Serangoon. workers as they made video and phone didn’t call me back to the route when Discover the lesser known Punggol the “North Eastern Riverine Loop”, a 16-km calls or brought groceries back to their I did wander off, which was often the Barat island. route across park connectors in I pedalled down from the wetlands dormitories. Directions on the app brought case on these 3 routes. and Punggol. to emerge on Coney Island. The air me to a long, lonely path along Seletar was much cooler here, thanks to the North Link, over to Punggol Barat Island As a photographer in search of new 2 Starting at Punggol Park, I weaved around casuarina woodlands, and is filled with and near Seletar Airport. I had no clue places and angles to shoot, the Relax at Yishun Pokémon hunters, #fitspo people and birdsong in the evening. The sandy islands like that existed until I saw them recommended routes feature let me Dam, where many Instagram boyfriends. The route traced a main trail crunched under my tyres. marked out on the LOOP map. plan (at least a little) in advance. And families and portion of the length of Sungei Serangoon, a After cycling about 2.4 km around the fact that the app displayed nearby couples sit and mingle. river dammed up to form a reservoir. Pandan the island, I made my way off it via I took a break to enjoy the strong breeze services – like the bike store on my plants along the park connector made for a the western causeway while a troop at Yishun Dam, where many families and first trip – meant that maybe, cycling

pleasant ride. However, the popularity of the of moneys watched. And then it was couples had driven to sit in the quiet and might not only be for the Dutch and 3 route was also its undoing – I found myself back to the Sunday throng on the park take in the view. The navigation LOOP Lycra-clad. stuck in pedestrian and bicycle traffic. I connector. My final stop on the route: provided was surprisingly accurate so far, Indulge in some surreal night decided to test the journey-tracking function Punggol Point, to catch the last rays of taking me around the area without much Download LOOP on Google Play and photography at of the app, so I turned off the suggested path sunlight dancing across the surface of fuss. From the Dam, I followed the tree- iTunes. Seletar Country into the quieter Lorong Halus. the water. lined Yishun Avenue 1 to Club’s golf course. Reservoir Park.

18 19 Drawing the city: See batman and dragons 4 out of 33 artists reveal personal glimpses of Singapore’s cityscape with their works exhibited along the sidewalks of the URA Centre celebrating Singapore’s 50th birthday in 2015.

WRITER “I wanted to just draw places, Serene Tng people and memories that I have of Singapore. It makes me realise How did you get started? It was my mum’s drawing of a Power Ranger for my birthday and finding a how much I miss home,” says artist stack of old (maybe hidden?) comic book superhero sketches by my dad that inspired me to pick up the pencil to draw. Andre Wee who reconstructed a My time in the army has also helped. They used to say in Hendon Camp, “the only version of Singapore from memory easy day was yesterday!”

in a whimsical piece. Andre Wee ARTIST, ILLUSTRATOR, VIRTUAL REALITY WORLD BUILDER

Tell us more about this piece. You have Real and imagined, from Batman included Batman! Why? I wanted to just draw places, people and memories that I have of Singapore. to Tin Tin and carpark wardens, Without a fixed plan of the drawing in mind, there was room for nuance and play. I reconstructed a version of 6 artists, 1 filmmaker and 5 Singapore out of memory, as I had been away for some years, depicting both the Elliot real and factual with the imagined and STUDENT, PATHLIGHT SCHOOL photographers are doing more than playful. Working on this image has been therapeutic, making me realise how Tell us more about this piece and what much I miss home! Batman is a reference inspires you. just capturing poignant aspects I associate with Singapore. Whenever I walk pass Parkview Square, it reminds This is a . I used the Singapore flag me of Gotham City, home to the comic colours of white and red, as well as blue to of our evolving cityscape. character Batman. I always imagine represent the sea, befitting of Singapore’s Batman perched at the top. Not many origins as a trading port. I am inspired by people know its actual name but smile anime and cartoons. Drawing helps me to instantly with clarity when the ‘Batman relax but sometimes I just draw because I building’ is mentioned. feel like it in the moment.

20 21 If Tin Tin visits Singapore Inspired by Tin Tin and Doraemon, illustrator Lee Xin Li draws us into an alternate universe of this island.

WRITER Serene Tng Alice Lim REGULATORY SPECIALIST (LET’S DRAW! SINGAPORE)

You drew a familiar scene from a HDB flat. What’s the story there?

I wanted to share this gorgeous view from a nearby Housing & Development Board Don Low (HDB) flat in where I live. ILLUSTRATOR AND DESIGNER (LET’S DRAW! SINGAPORE) This is the view you enjoy while waiting for the lift. I slightly distorted it to include Why did you draw this particular things that residents keep outside their location? flats like potted plants, clothes hangers and bicycles. It is a way of revealing a It’s where I grew up. I walked this street peek into people’s lives. to school every day when I was a student. Back then, the shophouses were mostly What inspires you to draw? residential and they looked pretty old. My mum still lives nearby at Block 6 Everton I just need a pen and some paper Park, which sits on a mound overlooking to start drawing. It is a great use of this street. It was where I stood to draw waiting or traveling time. I like to seek this place, which explains the higher out interesting shop fronts, signages vantage point on this sketch. The white and buildings with unusual facades in building on the left has remained fairly historical areas. Details excite me because the same till now despite going through I love to capture everything I see. My several refurbishments. I like how the philosophy is “If I can see it, I will draw it.” current owner lined the five-foot-way I like it when people look at my sketches corridor with pots of plants, giving the and comment how they had left out these building a human touch against its white- details even though they had known the washed walls. place all along.

Tell us more about yourself. What inspires you to draw?

I used to be an engineer but my love for Illustrator Lee Xin Li’s works draw you in with his imaginative art compelled me to become an artist. I layers of Singapore, blending the real and the dreamlike. am currently self-employed as a freelance Self-taught, he started producing illustrations in 2013. He has illustrator and designer, working in both drawn iconic buildings from the former Kallang Airport, the digital and traditional mediums. I also National Theatre, to Railway Station. Perhaps teach part-time as a drawing and painting his most poignant work is of a jubilant Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the instructor. Drawing provides me a means to Commonwealth Close Estate, based on a photograph taken by express myself freely without having to find photographer Larry Burrows from LIFE magazine. words for my thoughts or feelings. I like how my drawings can help record a moment in We catch up with him on his drawings and how we can we keep time in our ever-changing world. our heritage alive.

22 23 Why do you draw?

Drawing enables me to go deeper to rediscover colours, shapes and flavours; from the seemingly common kueh (local snack), to going on an imaginative journey back into an alternate Singapore where Neo Tiew remains a quaint little estate, or if Tanjong Pagar Railway Station became a high-speed railway station.

Who is your inspiration?

Herge’s Adventures of Tin Tin and the Fujiko Fujio’s Doraemon series.

Tell us about your favourite drawing.

It’s Neo Tiew (image on the top right) – because it meant so much to me when I was a child. Neo Tiew is a small public housing estate in built in 1979. The estate is now being used for military training. But back in those days, my mum and relatives used to work at the coffee shop there, selling drinks and food such as chicken rice. My dad would drive my siblings and I in his van to Neo Tiew where we would play at the circular playground. It has a small village feel, quite like Village. It is a pity that the place is no longer inhabited after 2002. The drawing itself is an alternate universe of what Neo Tiew could have been.

How do we balance between managing change in our landscape and keeping our heritage alive?

We need to continue to be sensitive to the historical context and present circumstances beyond pragmatic needs and superficial applications. There is also a need for active and effective engagement with stakeholders like architects, historians and residents. I am envious of what I see in Kyoto in Japan or Yilan in Taiwan, but I don’t think it is possible to simply take their model and plant it in Singapore. We need to develop our own unique model for Singapore that can accommodate both our development aspirations and create a landscape with a soul at the same time.

24 25 Tell us about your growing up years.

Physical spaces are I grew up in Kampong in the early 1970s, living in a big compound, more than shells in wooden houses with attap and zinc Artist Koh Hong Teng tells us why we need to tell roofs. When I was 6, I moved to stories about buildings and places. New Town where my family operated a provision shop. That was where I WRITER first came across a hawker centre as Serene Tng it was situated just next to the row of shophouses I lived in. It was there that I had the wonderful experience of eating Mee Rebus for the first time. imprints in time and space. We ask ourselves why a particular How has your neighbourhood building was designed this way. We can influenced your work? also learn to identify the period when it was built by looking at the architectural There was a tailor living next to our style. It gives suggestions to the type of shophouse and I remembered playing dwellers and users of this space and how hide and seek with his son and other they maximise their use and comfort. kids in the neighbourhood. He had a full What is interesting to me is that these length window that displayed his clothes spaces are not just shells that encase us, on half torso mannequins dressed with but rather an extension of ourselves. ‘洋服’ (yang fu), meaning Western-style clothes. There were other fascinating You say it’s important to tell stories shops in the neighbourhood which was about our buildings and places. Why? Image above: A drawing of the old the major influence when I created the National Stadium painting series “BLKS&NOS” depicting It is important because it is not just your as remembered these unique shop spaces. Sadly, some of personal memory when you tell them, by ex-national footballer Malek the shops I painted like the watch shop but it becomes a collective memory when Awab, featured in and television repair shop are no longer others get to read them. And we can grow the book, “Building around. as a community only if we share and care Memories – People Architecture for one another. So I would say the best Independence” What is one building you would like to way to get started is the willingness to and a No. 01-667 bring back? share. Of what tools and techniques to (BLKS&NOS Series), Acrylic on Canvas, employ are secondary. The important 900 x 1200 mm Definitely the old National Stadium. It thing is the authenticity of your story and (bottom) holds wonderful memories for two of my passions: football and art. I remembered watching Au-Yeong Pak Kuan, Terry Pathmanathan and Malek Awab playing when my grandfather brought me to the stadium for the first time. As for art, it was the venue for the art competition hosted by Singapore Airlines that I took Image above: Comic artist and illustrator Koh Hong Teng is known for part in when I was in the second year of Comic pages from “The Prodigy”, with tackling issues close to Singaporeans’ hearts from hawkers Junior College. writer Dave Chua. to generational gaps between parents and children. He combines fact and fiction in thought-provoking graphic Architecture is the backdrop where forms that reflects our changing urban landscape. He talks things happen. What fascinates you about how the neighbourhood he grew up in influences his about it? work and suggests that telling stories about our physical spaces can help us grow as a community. When we look at an architecture, we see

26 27 Who is that guy in white? How do you get people to remember forgotten places? By taking selfies…of a different kind.

WRITER Serene Tng

Tell us about your 50th shot. (image on the left)

This is my grandparents’ old Housing & Development Board block at View. I was raised by my grandparents for the first 2 years of my life, spending my childhood at this very block. My time was spent playing games of chase and catch, and hide-and-seek with my brother and cousins along the corridors. I even remember riding my bike down the stairs and falling, resulting in a very bad swollen bump on my forehead. I started the Yesteryear project inspired by my grandparents’ flat, wanting to recapture such places with vivid memories. It is apt that I am ending the series with this personal space. This single image sums up the entire series.

What are some of your most memorable shots?

The 41st image is one of them. This place has one of the last un-dammed rivers in Singapore. It used to be a kampung before the villagers were evicted in 2007. It is a mangrove forest and the villagers used to build their houses along the mudflats and river, rearing prawns and fish. It was quite an experience for me to navigate my way through in the mangroves, with my feet What started out on just a simple whim to ‘cure boredom’ has completely submerged in the mud. It turned into a memorable Yesteryear project that has captured felt like it took forever just to walk a few people’s imagination about forgotten places in Singapore. A steps forward. It was slippery and there liberal arts student from the Nanyang Technological University, were shells, rocks, and crabs that made Sean Cham took 50 surreal photographs of abandoned places walking in the mud much harder. I had my in 2015 as a tribute to Singapore turning 50. Why surreal? Sean toe stubbed in the process of taking the places himself in all of the photos, dressed in all white from photo, standing in my own pool of blood head to toe. He does everything by himself, from researching as I viewed the images on my camera. and selecting each place to planning and capturing each shot. The project has helped him gain a new appreciation for places and spaces as vessels of memories.

28 29 Any interesting stories behind So places to you are like vessels the places? of memories. Time travelling Each place has its own unique story and The success of Singapore in transforming contributes to the larger Singapore story. from a third-world country to a first-world with Royston Tan There was a shoot-out between the police metropolis in a mere span of over 50 Filmmaker Royston Tan on panda-hunting and 2 convicts in the cemetery featured years is an incredible one. We owe this and preserving memories. in the 44th photograph. Both convicts success to our forefathers and the pioneer subsequently committed suicide with generation, without which we would not WRITER gunshots to their heads. As for the 31st be able to enjoy gleaming skyscrapers, Vicki Yang shot, it was rumoured that the Japanese beautiful streets and greenery in our city soldiers used prisoners of war as chess today. We have progressed so much as a pieces; hence I recreated this in the nation. But as with progress, there will be photograph. And in my 43rd image, it change. It is important for us to strike a was actually taken within the National balance between embracing change and University of Singapore campus, right preserving the old. Every single building, behind the Science block. I doubt many place, and space has its own unique story, students will know about that. This place a story forged by the people who live witnessed the grotesque battle of Bukit and work there, a story of the change it Chandu where the Malay Regiment fought has undergone, a story of the events and against the invading Japanese army. happenings revolving around it.

Filmmaker Royston Tan is charged with a mission: to document the passing of things before they become history.

His feature-length film, 3688 (2015), gives the much-maligned local parking attendants their day in the sun — for the first half of the film at least. Parking attendant Fei Fei, played by singer Joi Chua, is constantly undermined by a wily band of ‘summon aunties’, as parking attendants are known in local lexicon, as they patrol in the Dakota Crescent neighbourhood. Soon, the plot unfurls the uneven road to stardom as Fei Fei joins a singing competition. But it isn’t about the transformative dreams of a girl from the suburbs (or car park) that takes precedence on screen. The film’s preoccupation is with the forceful march of time — the reminiscences of Fei Fei’s dementia-ridden father, his ritual of hawking Rediffusion radios as a former door-to-door salesman and the ‘summon aunties’ retrenched and replaced with electronic gantries.

30 31 “A lot of people summarise the film as the of time came to Royston during a lunch something Royston repeats constantly as when the 7-year-old left the kampong life passing of an era and the ownership of at Maxwell Food Centre. “This parking we chat and chronicle his filmography. of Lorong Kinchir, today in the past generation,” surmises Royston. attendant came in and everyone ran away From documentaries of old landmarks the Serangoon district, to HDB life in the One scene that found particular favour very fast, screaming ‘Fong Fei Fei’ and and suburban shops in Old Places (2010) early 1980s. with the older generation was what he all kinds of names, but she only went to and Old Romances (2012), to a short called ‘the simple sound design’ of the the toilet to change into another outfit film on the oldest Hokkien opera troupe “I was from the transitional period — the Rediffusion radio knob being turned by so that she can buy lunch!” says the like Sin Sai Hong (2006), one might infer last generation to stay in the kampong, Fei Fei. “It triggered something in many filmmaker, almost desperately. “A lot of that Royston’s filmography is deeply the transition from non-digital to digital,” people.” times, I find them sitting in the back alley, entrenched in nostalgia. However, he says the filmmaker. “It was traumatising eating lunch where I like to go to shoot for doesn’t shoot with rose-tinted lens. To the for me to move. The air was different, the Race against time my Instagram. If not, they will be getting filmmaker, these works aim to highlight people would not talk to each other, the stares and all kinds of verbal abuse. I one’s roots for those who have forgotten. doors were always closed. I grew up with Included in this archive of sounds from thought: “they do have a story to tell.” fresh water from the well, and when there long ago in 3688 is the yelling of the “I cannot fight the change but I can was water coming from the tap, it felt very name, “Fong Fei Fei”, a reference to Co-written with writer Lim Fong Wei, document these things before they are strange,” he recalls. the famous Taiwanese songbird from saw the shadowing of 2 parking gone,” says Royston. “Right now, people the 1970s, known for her multitude of attendants to observe their day-to-day in Singapore are very desensitised, like From one generation to another, the hats. More importantly, it’s yet another encounters. That was when Royston it’s better not to feel. But when you stop reminiscences of kampong life have been name hat-clad parking attendants realised that these female street wardens feeling, that’s the moment you start passed down verbally (aside from a visit are known by. It’s also used as a were being replaced by machines and dying. That’s why I’m doing this.” to Pulau Ubin or Lorong ), so call in neighbourhoods to warn the men. “Those we spoke to had the attitude I ask him to draw the village map from unsuspecting public who are away of ‘let’s take one day at a time’. A lot of The village boy his memory. from their cars, a trait of “a distinctive things were changing, so I thought I have Singapore culture” to Royston. to archive this as soon as possible, don’t The loss of places is something Royston Under a pen dripping ink, the lines of the wait already!” feels most keenly about, in part due to a houses and trees blur into each other, but The idea to create a film around a parking consequential episode in his childhood Royston is only too happy to go into the attendant haplessly against the march This ‘don’t wait already’ phrase is details of the sketch (image below) from left to right: the communal toilet that was very scary to visit in the dark (“sometimes got pervert”); the Teochew neighbour who sold tau suan and other desserts with the use of fresh tapioca from the trees around; Royston’s family provision shop fronted by tables surrounded by old uncles drinking beer, “just chatting

32 33 Serangoon Road is not just ‘’ 4 photographers and 30 students delved deeper to peel away the rich layers of this historic enclave in a year-long documentation project.

WRITER Justin Zhuang

with my mom and watching over us to make sure we don’t run out to the main In preparation for the film, Royston and road”; the “very rich family” next door his production team had to hunt down whose house was “very clean and there is the exact spots where the kisses occurred air-con inside” and where the neighbours and where the submitted photographs would crowd in to watch television, often were taken. While the most popular spots American sitcoms that young Royston were Town Garden (now Toa hardly understood, but “when they laugh, Payoh Town Park), , and the I just laugh lor.” Singapore Zoo, trawling through the other identified landscapes was a momentous “This is the environment we grew up in. effort, which Royston recollects with an Wah, I really miss the old days,” concludes exaggeratedly pained look. Royston wistfully. Today, what’s left of his kampong is part of the Central “We had wonderful stories, such as the Expressway and an empty field. social worker who doesn’t talk to his dad very much, but they had a picture at Haw Awakening memories Par Villa with a panda in it, and it was so difficult to find the panda! It took us 2 Perhaps in line with his desire to weeks to find, and when we found it, my document the evolution of public hair stood up,” recounts Royston. spaces that remain personal to himself and others, it’s fitting that another past “Even as we are talking now, every project, 50 First Kisses, brings people moment is a part of history,” Royston back to the places where they had their reminds his audience, myself included. first kiss, romantic or familial. “The “That’s the thing I really learnt from doing whole idea was to reconnect people 3688. What are the pivotal things you through memories, and to go back to will remember? Who do you think is the the same place even if the environment person who will dance with you when you has changed, but the people will still be lose your memory?” Image above: Photo by Chia Aik Beng in the same pose,” he explains.

34 35 It’s not just a place where foreign to these workers, I’ve had many hours workers and people of Indian heritage of conversations with a good handful go to hang out. This area has a lot of of them. Over time, I picked up basic historical architecture, much of which Bengali from them and eventually went is not Hindu or Indian,” says Darren to Bangladesh a couple of times to visit Soh, on capturing this iconic road as some of their families and to produce a the lead photographer of the project, short film. “DOCUMENTING: Serangoon Road”, initiated by URA in partnership with Aik Beng : Serangoon Road has a National Youth Achievement Award colourful past and still remains one of the Council’s Young Photographers Network. most vibrant districts. My grandfather, a taxi driver, used to bring me there when The Serangoon Road area is associated I was a kid in the mid-1970s. I have fond with familiar names like Tekka and since memories of the many diverse cultures of 1989 is also known as “Little India” the district. where the historic conservation district is located. Seeking to capture and Lessons from the project document the more intimate and lesser- known landmarks, spaces and life of one Darren : It is really more colourful and of Singapore’s oldest roads, Darren Soh, interesting than common knowledge 2 together with 3 other photographers makes it out to be — the diversity Bernice Wong, Philipp Aldrup and Chia in Serangoon Road far exceeds the Aik Beng mentored and guided 30 stereotype of it being an “Indian” enclave 1 tertiary students from 16 schools from — is there really such a thing anyway? 2016 to 2017. Philipp : Photographing it years back The 4 photographers talk about Little taught me framing seemingly disorderly India and the project. scenes, making sense of confusion, and bringing a certain order to randomness. On why Serangoon Road is special Reviewing the students’ photographs 5 showed me the many other perspectives Darren : As a sociology student, I spent a one can look at the area and how fair bit of time talking to foreign migrant they as beginners approach the site in 4 workers who frequented the area on the often similar ways as I did back then: weekends. My studio was also located sometimes distanced and shy, helpless in Rowell Road, the heart of the more and insecure, sometimes courageous colourful part of the area and I have fond and straight forward, unbiased and 3 memories of the food, both Muslim and fully immersed. 6 7 Chinese, plus the late night shopping at Mustafa Centre when I needed supplies 3 must-see places for work. Aik Beng : The area around , Bernice : I started going down to Race Course and Sungei Roads. Time Rowell Road every week when I was stands still in these pockets of the district. in university after I chanced upon a volunteering opportunity with a migrant Tips on capturing the soul of worker non-government organisation, a place Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), which offered a soup kitchen there. Philipp : Be patient. Don’t rush. Shoot The soup kitchen served workers who less, feel more. Listen. Stay and look were having issues with their employers around. Hang out, chat with people, eat

and those who were injured, amongst and drink. Make friends. Visit it again — 9 10 8 others. Apart from administering meals and again.

Images above: 1,7,10 - Chia Aik Beng; 2,3,6 - Philipp Aldrup; 5 - Bernice Wong; 4,8,9 - Darren Soh

36 37 Think

“It is humbling to see these creatures at work, dealing with problems that humans have created. Nature seems to have a solution for every problem if we only know where to look,” says Ng Jia Quan, co-founder of Circento, Lessons from Tiong Bahru’s who advocates the use of insects to block 55 grow better quality vegetables. What can a humble block teach us about our past and future?

WRITER Ruthe Kee

PHOTOGRAPHER Whether farmers, planners, Donn Tan

architects or just passionate Block 55 is the first of 20 blocks built by Block 55 was part of 20 blocks built the Singapore Improvement Trust in 1936, before World War II. in one of Singapore’s first housing estate. citizens, we are inspired by these Even after 80 years, this ordinary block Huey Jiun : The Singapore Improvement continues to offer valuable lessons and Trust borrowed ideas from British new stories for our future. towns like Stevenage, Harlow and champions who are improving our Crawley. They created 3-storey, low-rise Professor Lily Kong, provost, Lee Kong flats with public spaces in between, and Chian chair professor of Social Sciences these had instantly recognisable design neighbourhoods and making us of Singapore Management University and elements such as special corners that directors of URA’s conservation planning form a gateway on the streets. Block 55 - and conservation management the first block built is one such example. rethink the design of physical spaces departments, Tan Huey Jiun and Kelvin It is easily recognisable when you head Ang reflect on what it takes to retain a down Tiong Bahru Road. Its angled front sense of place in an iconic neighhourhood serves as a marker that you have entered and our lifestyles. like Tiong Bahru. the estate. Going Places 03 Explore

38 39 Kelvin : Simply by walking past the Huey Jiun : The old user, the old stalls, 4 key elements flat shops every day you have a chance they are retained. They continue their of block 55: to encounter your neighbours and business in the day. There’s continuity. be friends. This is quite an important Sometimes the old stallholders move 1 planning lesson this estate has provided. out and all that; we’ll be a bit nostalgic Even the five-foot ways. The architecture about it. But sometimes people who Each corner of various blocks have provides a framework for social life come in also value these people and a different design to happen. let them continue their business. to distinguish from one another. Block 55 has concrete Kelvin : The critical part about sense of sunshades on its Businesses change over time. How do place is when you know who the boss façade as a simple you manage this sense of place? is, and you will interact with him on design feature. a more or less day-to-day basis. Say, The architecture Lily : There’s a certain organic nature for example, this Tiong Bahru Bakery provides a to the businesses here. If you go to the is very nice, of course I love the coffee 2 market now, some of the store holders and the cake, but it’s not an everyday It has handmade framework for are those who were laying out produce thing for us here. So between a local wooden door frames and metal social life on the roadside, who were running away coffeeshop and this, what is more frames that are 80 from the tehgu (police) and when the important is the local coffeeshop. The years old. to happen. market was set up and built, they moved residents, in seeing re-gentrification, or into the market. The organic nature of the cycle of it, have made a point that the business having grown through time the local businesses are important, 3 Tell us more about its architecture. is part of that thread of continuity, that and we have gone out to try to find The block has source of community. The chicken stall solutions. An example is the yong tau climate-friendly Huey Jiun : The architectural style is holder used to sell chickens and would foo stall which sells yong tau foo in the features like the that of streamline moderne, a subset of wall – residents attribute this to the balconies that serve lay out her produce on the planks next daytime and pizzeria at night – this the art deco movement. Inspired by the strength, built from good ole english as a buffer from door. When the tehgu comes, the then- suggests a possible workable model the heat and the technology and speed of modern travel materials. The buildings were actually boyfriend would help her gather her for the business to sustain itself. The sunshades cut out before World War II, you can see elements made of cement and strong bricks the glare. chickens. The romance grew from there Krabi coffeeshop is another example of automobiles, trains and aeroplanes from local earth, but like many today, and they still sell chicken to this day. The — daytime meepok and kopi and night on this building. Unlike the lavish and the connotations made by the local husband is in his 80s and wife in her 70s time Japanese restaurant — this was ostentatious decoration of the earlier storeowners and residents persist. 4 and some of their children help them in something that the community went incarnations of Art Deco, the streamline the business. The organic community out of their way to try and matchmake The green windows moderne style is characterised by clean, are a rare feature of the days gone by has a thread of the businesses, and it has been curved shapes, rounded corners, long What is the significance of the layout? that help create continuity in the shops here. successful so far. a visual sense horizontal and vertical lines. Some of coolness and key design elements served functional Lily : The very first sort of layout showed provide privacy. Images: Tan Huey purposes like the balconies. They serve as small open public spaces where people Jiun, URA director could sit and chat and recognise faces… for conservation a good space to transit between the hot planning shares external climate and the cooler internal the estate was built precisely with that lessons learnt living space; they also create some kind as the planning principle from British from Tiong Bahru’s block 55 (top left). of interest. The tinted green glass is also new towns. And that enables a sense Business owners used strategically in brighter lit areas to of familiarity, a sense of serendipitous like Rodney Goh, cut glare, alongside its clear counterparts encounter, and therefore relationships a third-generation owner of provision in dimmer spots. develop over time. For the older shop Pin Piau Kay & residents, this sense of community is still Co. (top right) and there in terms of familiarity so a lot of Kenny Leck, owner of BooksActually What is one lesser known story about that was built over the years… the sense (opposite right) the blocks? of trust, the sense of being able to walk continue to keep into a store and say “sorry I forgot to bring Tiong Bahru thriving. Professor Lily : There is a certain mythology money, can I just ohtang (pay later)?” For Lily Kong shares developed by residents around the years that was a reality for people who a photo of the strength of these buildings. Rarely walked into the provision shop and say I husband and wife chicken stall damaged by bombing from the war and take first and pay later. That sense of trust holders (opposite). some find it hard to nail things into the and community was very strong.

40 41 Lily : That’s not to say that the newer eateries cannot develop that kind of relationship with the people here and with the people outside, but it requires a certain level of constancy and investment of time for human relations to develop.

Huey Jiun : It does keep a certain familiarity for the people who stay and visit here, so from the last time that you come back here some things might have changed, the shopkeepers might have changed, but you still know this is Tiong Bahru, because of the buildings. The architecture and environment like what Lily says are the enabler for new relationships to form.

Why is it important to retain the architecture?

Huey Jiun : These 20 blocks and another 36 shophouses were gazetted for conservation in 2003 because of the importance of Tiong Bahru being the very first housing estate and because of its social architecture. By conserving the area, URA can then guide the works done on the buildings, ensuring the distinguishing features of the buildings’ façades are kept so as to retain the identity of the area, allowing the estate to continue to have its sense of space and Image above: meaning for generations to come. The repurposed Designing for sewage pipe is capturing people’s Lily : I still think it’s wonderful that we’re imagination being keeping some of this old architecture, communities used as seating and it’s great. The thing about the green booths or some Enabling Village’s people-centric design try to contort textured glass at block 55 is it’s part of my themselves within. memory of Tiong Bahru, and when you Huey Jiun : Some of this architecture For more has been bringing communities together. © Patrick Bingham- see that they’ve all changed, you kind of also embodies a lot of the learning points information and Hall. think “something’s different, something’s and experiences for the future, because stories on other WRITER changing.” No one element is the element they’re sustainable buildings with the historic districts Justin Zhuang to kind of say, “this is terrible, I’m never balconies being a buffer zone. Some of and buildings, coming back again; it’s not the same.” But these things bear very good lessons as we go to URA’s it’s a different combination for different continue to design for the future. People conservation people. Sometimes it’s the old stallholders, portal, lived in these buildings in the past even Where Timothy Ang used to work in Point, there were sometimes it’s the food they’re selling or ura.sg/consportal. without air-conditioning and natural times when he couldn’t get to the office because the lift broke what they’re selling, sometimes it’s the light would come in to light up the space down. He also recalls only seeing “buildings and walls”. Today, textured glass. It’s a combination of things because of the air well. These are lessons the studio manager, who is a wheelchair user works out of a that’s part of our holistic experience. for us to repeat and learn from. ground level office next to the housing estate of Lengkok Bahru. Not only is he surrounded by greenery, he connects with others like himself and the larger community at this one-stop hub.

42 43 that features a garden shaded by majestic saga trees that have stood there for decades. “People can also take a short cut through the village from one end to the (neighbouring) school and precincts. It’s not just a destination but has also become part of people’s daily commute,” adds Hong Wei.

Within the compound itself, a kampong feel with more wild-looking landscape seeks to draw people closer to nature and to each other. It is designed together with landscape studio Salad Dressing. “We wanted the village’s environment to be more accessible with Singapore’s He adds: “The place is not about how indigenous flora and fauna,” says Hong it looks, but how it works. A lot of Wei. The village’s ponds surrounded by people have come to the village to use it edible plants such as pandan, lemon differently… and in doing so, they share grass and banana have attracted and bond with common memories.” dragonflies, frogs and even rare hornbills. Children have been seen doing their And while residents have released fishes homework at the amphitheatre, and into ponds, others slow down to enjoy a set of repurposed sewage pipe used the surroundings when they go around as seating booths underneath the the village. “I overheard a mother amphitheatre have become popular sharing a special moment with her little with visitors who contort themselves boy, pointing out the fishes and unique to fit in or imagine being sucked into plants,” says Hong Wei. “That was a great them. The Enabling Village’s ecosystem moment for us.” of businesses and services geared towards people with disabilities has also Reimagining everyday spaces enabled users like Timothy to expand Images: Steps Welcome to the Enabling Village – Breaking down barriers his network and make new friends. His have been In addition to ensuring smoother and colleague Jessie Ong likes the village for replaced by an inclusive space combining education, ramps, with work, training, retail and lifestyle “Not just a place for people with more seamless movements around the its convenience, and has participated in the gradient that connects people with disabilities disabilities, we wanted the village to site for those with disabilities, WOHA also events and parties organised by others gentle enough injected more public spaces to encourage for both manual with society. also be a new heart and hub for the like the Stroke Support Station located in wheelchairs community, breaking down barriers,” greater interactions amongst visitors a neighbouring block. and motorised Located in the mature Redhill says the lead architect Phua Hong Wei and users. From seating booths to play scooters (above). spaces for preschoolers and an outdoor © Edward neighbourhood, the project is a successful from architectural firm WOHA who led In their citation for this project, the jury Hendricks. The demonstration of rejuvenation and the 22-month project to transform this amphitheatre for events, these spaces of the President’s Design Award wrote open space community building within a housing sprawling compound consisting of 6 cater for both buzz and quiet moments. that the “Enabling Village is a first of its between the Village Green and estate. An adaptive reuse of the previous blocks. This meant removing major “One of the main things we look at is kind and represents a natural evolution of the Hive at The Bukit Merah Vocational Institute built segregations and ensuring the site is well how everyday spaces and linkages can place-making, where the redesign of the Enabling Village in the 1970s, the property was taken integrated with its surroundings. A tall be reimagined to be useful, meaningful, space is driven by the needs of the users. is reactivated as a garden yard over by the Ministry of Social and Family green fence came down. Multiple entry accessible and inclusive. The more It is a demonstration of how designers can (opposite). Development, repurposed and opened in points were created. Drivers can come meeting points you create, the more build a better world through design, by © Patrick December 2015 as the Enabling Village. in through a safer spot along Lengkok opportunities there is for people to meet not designing.” For its thoughtful creation Bingham-Hall. It is now the home of SG Enable, an Bahru, visitors can walk in from Redhill and interact. That sort of interaction is of a social space that breaks down many agency dedicated to enabling people with MRT fully sheltered by covered linkways what creates a village and really opens barriers and brings together communities, disabilities to connect with like-minded while residents from the adjacent Redhill it up to connect people with disabilities the Enabling Village was awarded the partners and stakeholders. Close can enter through a new entrance with the rest of society,” says Hong Wei. President’s Design Award in 2016.

44 45 Peng Nguan Street in Tiong Bahru was Debra’s mum constantly worries about closed off for disability-friendly sports them. “Will they have jobs like everyone and games such as , flea markets, else? Can they live independently? Who’s and craft displays by SPD’s artisans. PwDs going to take care of them when she and the able-bodied can embark on passes away? These questions flood specially curated heritage trails around her mind,” she says. Ryan shares similar the neighbourhood, too, with pit stops sentiments. He grew up with a brother at cafés, specialty shops and even an air with Williams syndrome, a developmental raid shelter. Debra’s personal favourite? disorder that is characterised by mild to An oversized game of Jenga, which, moderate intellectual disability. When he according to her, was a hit at previous saw a local news story in 2011 about a Society Staples events. teacher who made demeaning remarks to a student with special needs, Ryan felt Getting personal compelled to do something about it.

Society Staples was founded by Debra One step at a time Lam and Ryan Ng in March 2015, and it had come from a deeply personal core: Debra believes that the city as a whole both Debra and Ryan have siblings who has to change and embrace PwDs. “Our live with disabilities. “Growing up, I was infrastructure has improved over the given a lot of opportunities as a privileged years, now we have accessible lifts at kid in primary and secondary schools,” every single MRT station and more buses recalls Debra. She participated in foreign equipped with wheelchair ramps,” she exchange programmes and held various notes. “But we could do with wider leadership positions. However, the same pedestrian walks for wheelchairs, for could not be said for her two brothers, instance!” Programmes such as the Making streets safer who have autism. “They were bullied, Streets for People are good first steps left out of social events, and people often on the path of real change. “Achieving for the disabled classified them as strange and awkward.” inclusivity begins with every individual.” Debra Lam, co-founder of Society Staples, wants to For more information on Streets for People, create more conversations and wider sidewalks for go to ura.sg/streetsforpeople people with disabilities.

WRITER Chin Wei Lien

PHOTOGRAPHER Donn Tan

Debra is the co-founder of Society Staples, a social enterprise that hopes to raise awareness for people with disabilities (PwDs) and make the streets safer for them. “We see PwDs and other marginalised groups as staples of society – ‘staples’ as in essentials, like rice and noodles,” she explains. “And just like staplers in stationery, we strive to be a binding force that ‘staples’ fragmented and forgotten groups into one inclusive society.”

In March 2017, Society Staples brought these groups into the spotlight. Together with URA and the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD), a special street party was organised: it’s the first-ever road closure with PwDs at the forefront. This is part of URA’s Streets for People, an initiative that transforms streets into pedestrian-friendly public spaces.

46 47 What kind of flies are these? What led you to this profession?

Black soldier flies. I used to be a chef in a fine French restaurant where I became curious about What do they eat? the origins of ingredients. I went on to do farming in a facility that grows plants We feed them leftover food – fruits and using hydroponics. But I eventually found vegetables that are imported but have that my greatest interest lies in exploring From cooking to spoiled en route or are bakery remnants the use of more natural fertilisers and that are the by-products of factory understanding the role insects can play harvesting flies productions. in farming. Meet Ng Jia Quan, Singapore’s insect farmer at Citizen Farm. The food, once eaten, is digested by the What is the grossest thing about larvae, broken down and passed out your job? WRITER as waste that is a 100 percent natural Jennifer Eveland nutrient-rich compost fertiliser. This Seeing the amount of food that we waste

PHOTOGRAPHER fertiliser provides the nutritional life and how we treat food, allowing it to rot Chee Boon Pin source for Citizen Farm’s produce. without putting it to good use. There is so much waste. Why use insects? Insects are the unsung heroes of nature, says Ng Jia Quan (far What do you love about your job? right in the above image), who is overseeing the entire insect It’s more sustainable. Insects are actually operations inside a small netted enclosure in Citizen Farm, one very valuable and useful in our ecosystem Seeing nature at work. Insects and of Singapore’s largest urban farms, located amidst a residential and it allows us to create fertilisers using microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi estate in Queenstown. a more natural process. are the unsung heroes of nature. They are often stigmatised as unhygienic, but The farm advocates a closed-loop approach to farming that What is a common misconception they actually play an important role in the marries natural elements with technologies to grow high about these insects? ecosystem. quality produce in a sustainable way. “A lot of people are freaked out when I tell them that I am an insect farmer,” says That the larvae are pretty gross, dirty and Visit Citizen Farm, 60 Jalan Penjara Jia Quan. The insect farm is by Circento, where Jia Quan is unsafe to work with, but they are cleaner Web www.citizenfarm.com.sg a co-founder of. He is supporting Citizen Farm’s closed-loop than what you think they would be. They approach by using insects to produce organic fertiliser used to don’t bite, there’s not much smell and grow better quality produce. they don’t spread diseases.

48 49 Do

“It wasn’t as tough as I thought,” says writer Michelle Ng who took on the challenge of living 3 ways to waste free for a week. live waste free Writer Michelle Ng challenged herself to live waste free for a week.

There are many ways we can get WRITER / PHOTOGRAPHER Michelle Ng started as active citizens. Here are tips and suggestions from In 2015, 8.28 million kg of waste was Single-use disposable items disposed in a day. At the current rate those who tried it. of disposal, our only landfill at Pulau The first thing I did was to look into my Semakau will run out of space by 2035, rubbish bin – to reduce consumption less than 20 years’ time. (and therefore waste production), I needed to know what I was consuming So I challenged myself to live zero-waste the most. It’s filled with mostly for a week, with a 3-prong strategy: single-use disposable items that I’ve never given a second thought to, such • Stop using single-use disposable items as styrofoam and plastic takeaway • Reuse items and recycle everything else containers, plastic bags, coffee cups, • Only turn to the bin as a last resort tissue paper, and mineral water bottles.

Here’s how my week went.

Going Places 03 Explore

50 51 The most popular tip on Journey to people cooking at home. He says most neighbourhoods, and to use it right to Zero Waste Life in Singapore (a local of us tend to tapao (take away) food reduce contamination of the recycling Facebook group) is to swap these from the hawker centre, and that usually bins,” Eugene says. In its next phase, the common single-use items out with comes in non-recyclable styrofoam boxes campaign is moving into community reusable alternatives. After rummaging or plastic tubs. Indeed, according to the engagement at selected neighbourhoods through my kitchen cabinets, I managed National Environment Agency (NEA), through posters, signages, door-to-door to find glass containers, tote bags, a food packaging accounts for 11 percent visits and roadshows. glass coffee tumbler, handkerchief and of plastic waste – with plastic being the a reusable water bottle. I even found a number one contributor to waste in Recycling at home is easy if you’ve set up biodegradable bamboo toothbrush to Singapore – and 14 percent of paper and for it. I carved out a little recycling corner replace my current plastic one – bamboo cardboard waste generated in 2015. to separate recyclable items from general is one of nature’s most sustainable waste. In countries like Japan where resources as it is carbon neutral and can To alleviate that, whenever I had to take recycling is a way of life, recyclables are be grown in both tropical and temperate away my meals, I brought a container sorted not just into three basic categories environments without the use of along to cafés and hawker centres – not of plastic, paper and glass but up to nine pesticides or chemical fertilisers. even the saltiest hawker at Maxwell Food different categories such as clear glass Centre brushed me off. I also turned down bottles, brown glass bottles, steel cans For the entire week, I got my morning the flimsy plastic cutlery, as I kept a set of and aluminum cans. Joe in my coffee tumbler. My usual stainless steel forks and spoons I brought barista didn’t bat an eyelid when I from home at my office desk. Thankfully the National Recycling presented the tumbler – she told me Programme doesn’t require us to sort the that at least 2 people come in with their At home, all you need is a little creativity items by material, so I collected things tumblers on an average day, a reassuring to repurpose even the most mundane like empty toilet rolls, unwanted letters sign. At the hawker centre, however, household item. Instead of buying new and brochures, emptied and rinsed the drinks stall uncle was slightly more storage boxes, I cleaned out the residual shampoo and sauce bottles, and brought hesitant. But he eventually caved and wax from old scented candle jars and them to the recycling bin at the end of the poured my kopi o (black coffee) into the used them to hold my makeup brushes. week. Out of sight, but peace of mind. tumbler, making a “saving the planet?” These candle jars not only look pretty on joke while he was at it. my vanity table, they also get a new lease The takeaway of life after use. The takeaway containers came in handy I’ll be honest, though: living a zero waste even while grocery shopping at the wet Sort recyclables from general waste lifestyle is easy only if you’re willing to market. Instead of stuffing fresh meat and put in the effort. And despite making a vegetables into plastic bags, I handed In 2015 and 2016, Singapore recycled 61 conscious effort, I inevitably still created the stall owners my containers for them percent of its rubbish, yet the recycling waste, such as snack packaging, cling to pack and carried them in a waterproof rate of households remains relatively film, paper towels, facial wipes and tote bag. Just like that, I eliminated 5 to low at 19 percent, a stagnant number plastic straws that I forgot to refuse before 6 plastic bags that I would have typically since 2005 till now. This is despite the fact it was too late. used on an average trip to the market. that there are huge blue recycling bins to collect paper, plastic, metal and glass But what I did save was 5 coffee cups, 5 Reuse and recycle in every HDB estate – they’re part of the plastic food containers, close to 15 plastic National Recycling Programme, which bags and a handful of mineral water If you do bring home those plastic bags was implemented in 2001. bottles – all just in 1 week. Scaled up, that from the market, reuse them. Reusing would mean I’d discard 520 coffee cups items can be as simple as using an old Eugene hopes to make recycling a way of and plastic tubs, 780 plastic bags and piece of clothing such as rags for cleaning life. Which is why Zero Waste Singapore about 150 water bottles in a year. And at home or buying your takeaway office has launched a campaign, Let’s Recycle that’s from just 1 person. Imagine what lunch in used – but clean – containers. Together, which was rolled out on social we’d save if we all took part in a waste- media in March 2017. “This campaign free lifestyle for just a day a week. Eugene Tay, executive director of Zero aims to encourage more HDB residents Waste Singapore, notes a trend of fewer to use the blue recycling bins in their

52 53 Inspired by the urban farming movement in Singapore, I was determined to make my dream a reality. If people could grow fruits and vegetables in their apartments, a small 30 by 15 inch planter filled with herbs seemed achievable enough. So I bought the necessary materials from a supply store and supermarket, planted my seeds and waited for a month – here’s what I learnt along the way.

1. Don’t start with seeds

It sounds counter-intuitive, but if you’re new to gardening, ditch the seeds. They probably won’t make it past the seedling stage – that’s when the seed germinates into a sprout. Plus, growing your herbs from seeds is also more time-consuming than buying the adult plants from the nursery and replanting them at home. To prevent the same thing from Take my experience as a cautionary tale. happening to your herbs, line your garden I attempted to grow basil, chilli padi and with metal spikes so that the birds don’t lemon balm from its seeds. The basil and have a comfortable place to land and lemon balm started growing after a week, peck at your hard-grown greens. I decided but I only saw seedlings for the chilli to go all-out and built my own scarecrow padi after a month, and even then, only 4 with simple materials I found at Daiso. shoots sprouted despite planting over 15 seeds. Replanting the herbs from adult 3. Harvest regularly shoots also means that you’ll be able to taste the herbs before deciding if it’s right In the early stages, I found that harvesting for your garden. my herbs regularly encouraged better growth. New shoots would sprout up Save yourself the time. Trust me on this. from the cuts I made when harvesting the herbs, and the younger leaves are more How to grow 2. Build a scarecrow tender and milder in flavour, making them the perfect garnish to any dish. herbs at home Leaving the herbs out on my balcony not only meant exposing them to 4. Don’t give up (or stick to lemon A novice gardener puts her green thumbs to the test the elements, but making them easy balm) by growing her own herb garden. Here are 4 things pickings for the mynas and pigeons she learnt from the process. that scout the area. I almost did.

My basil seeds were the first to grow The herbs took a while to grow, and this WRITER / PHOTOGRAPHER and matured after 2 weeks, and then I was after a lot of trial and error, too. Nicole-Marie Ng started noticing clusters of the leaves Experiment with different plants and disappearing day after day. My first seeds to see what works for your schedule As an avid home cook, it’s always been a dream of mine to have thought was that the herbs had died – and environment. My chilli and basil my very own herb garden. Pesto made with a fresh batch of basil but when I caught a bird poking around plants didn’t manage to grow well, but each week, chilli to add spice to any dish, and lemon balm to the garden one afternoon, it dawned on the lemon balm did – so I’d recommend julienne and sprinkle on top of grilled salmon – these are just me that it’s these feathered frenemies sticking to that. You can even harvest some of the recipes I’d be able to do with my own herbs. that were making a snack of my plants. them after a month or so.

54 55 8 9 10 Seen from above – Geylang in the Behind the National Thank you “The geometry light – Gallery – We took a peek and shapes of A resting Buddha into the National Gallery to the countless individuals, volunteers, architects, photographers and others who help us our environment statue stands to discover how old and explore and appreciate our city anew and who show us that our urban environments can from the air is in contrast to a new were blended be made more beautiful and inspiring with small and big efforts by each of us everyday. breath taking,” says mural of modern- together linking the photographer Yeo day Singapore. historic City Hall and Kai Wen. Besides Photographer Supreme Court into this drone shot Philipp Aldrup one art museum. Even Highlights from over 300 stories: of MacRitchie captured another jail cells of the old Reservoir, Kai Wen’s side of Geylang. supreme court have 1 2 images reflect the been retained. Plumbing People of Cycling 50 km careful planning system and the cistern – In a “Humans daily – For those of greenery and of the toilet were located of Rochor Centre” considering a more built structures in outside to prevent those story, we got to know active lifestyle, be Singapore. awaiting trial from people like Mr Ong, inspired by Daniel harming themselves. one of the first batch Sin, who cycles of residents to live 50 km every day in Rochor Centre from east to west with cherished and back. “I was memories of the getting older and 6 neighbourhood. “I losing stamina. So I moved here in 1977, decided to integrate and have been living cycling into my daily 6 7 2 here since.” routine.” Best-kept secret – Island life – We We explored the escaped city life for largest and best-kept islands like Kusu, 3 4 5 Japanese cemetery named after a tortoise Merci, Didier – Chinatown gems – Being architects – outside of Japan (as kusu means in We celebrated Lena Koh, a URA Leading local firm along Hokkien). The most heroes behind many conservation WOHA’s co-founder road. Behind the popular legend of our conserved volunteer, is excited Wong Mun Summ and well maintained behind the name is 7 buildings. French about uncovering Associate Phua Hong cemetery is Kim that 2 shipwrecked architect Didier stories behind Wei recognised under Keok Kee, whom fishermen were saved Repellin is one our buildings. We URA’s ‘20 under 45’ series we chanced upon. by a tortoise who of them. His love joined her on a walk shared personal insights He has been the transformed into the for conservation around Chinatown on what it means to be sole caretaker for tiny island. Before brought him to and go to where architects. Mun Summ more than 50 years land reclamation, Singapore in the Wong Fei Hong says: “I used to live in and grew up on the the island’s outline 1980s and 1990s disciples train and Halt and once cemetery grounds. did look pretty and he is behind Tiger Balm was after coming back from tortoise-esque. the restoration made. a movie, I ran quickly… of buildings like flew and my face landed CHIJMES and on the tarmac…I became Empress Place. an architect because I wanted to make sure things are softer!”

9 8

1 11 – We joined the 6th edition of the popular art walkabout OH! Open House to Potong Pasir and were charmed by its people and landscapes. We entered Uncle Lee’s home, who has lived here since 10 11 1984. He won the first prize in 4D betting on 3 4 5 different combinations of numbers related to the former MP Chiam See Tong.

56 57 Stories in this supplement were published in the Going Places Singapore website, an urban e-magazine started in 2012 as an experiment to delve deeper into our love and fascination for the urban scape around us. After 5 years, it is now closed. We hope this selection of stories from the e-magazine will inspire you to continue to actively shape this island of ours.

EDITOR Serene Tng

WRITERS Chin Wei Lien Daniel Seifert Jennifer Eveland Joseph Nair Justin Zhuang Michelle Ng Nicole-Marie Ng Ruthe Kee Timothy Msir Vicki Yang

PROOFREADERS Kay Hsu Michelle Lee

PHOTOGRAPHERS Beatrice Wong Chee Boon Pin Chia Aik Beng Darren Soh Donn Tan Joseph Nair Mark Teo Michelle Ng Nicole-Marie Ng Philipp Aldrup Wilson Pang

COVER IMAGE Chinatown market by Philipp Aldrup

DESIGN Green House Design + Communications

THE STORIES IN THIS SUPPLEMENT WERE PUBLISHED 2015-2017.

PUBLISHED 2018. COPYRIGHT © URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR PART 58 WITHOUT THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THE URA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.