38-606: HortPark is a 9-hectare (22-acre) park located in Queenstown, Singapore . It opened in December 2007 and was officially launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in May 2008. Situated in the Southern Ridges , HortPark is connected to nearby parks, namely Kent Ridge Park , Telok Blangah Hill Park , and Mount Faber Park via elevated walkways and connecting bridges. HortPark comprises
76-671: A major expressway connecting western Singapore to the Central Area , and also to Johor via the Tuas Second Link . Major roads in the planning area include Queensway , which is part of the Outer Ring Road System (ORRS), a semi-expressway, together with Portsdown Avenue. Queensway intersects with Commonwealth Avenue , a major road that parallels the East West Line and continues into Commonwealth Avenue West at Buona Vista. At
114-564: A preliminary batch of 3-room flats was ready for occupation. By 1956, work on the Princess Margaret Estate (later shortened to Princess Estate) had more than 1,000 flats comprising one, two and three-room units and 68 terrace houses. A ceremony was held in October that year for Forfar House, a 14-storey block which was a prominent landmark in those days as it was the tallest HDB flat at that point of time. The area continued to develop as
152-504: A research project by Building and Construction Authority (BCA), National University of Singapore and NParks. "The Living Wall" showcases vertical greenery systems. HortPark also features six prototype glasshouses as research stations for the then upcoming Gardens by the Bay . In addition, HortPark serves as a satellite campus for the Centre of Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) which is managed by
190-562: A self-contained community. Some of the facilities and amenities developed included the Town Centre and the Swimming and Sports Complex. The former was fully completed in 1969 with three cinemas and a variety of outlets including an emporium , a fresh food market, a maternity and child health centre, a bowling alley and a nightclub cum restaurant. The swimming complex was completed in August 1970. In
228-610: Is a planning area and residential estate located in the westernmost part of the Central Region of Singapore . Bukit Timah lies roughly 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the Central Business District , bordering the Central Water Catchment to the north, Bukit Panjang to the northwest, Queenstown to the south, Tanglin to the southeast, Clementi to the southwest, Novena to the east and Bukit Batok to
266-422: Is a rooftop display of the different types of green roof systems and plants suitable for green roof planting. Lifestyle Corner is where visitors can see how flora-themed furnishings can complement the homes, through the showcasing of interior landscaping and lifestyle-gardening ideas. Located near the visitor services centre, the greenhouse consists of two-halves: garden retail and workshop area. The garden retail
304-408: Is currently home to The Grandstand, which hosts several food outlets, childcare services and a Giant supermarket. The nearby area hosts many bungalows , typically expensive in land-scarce Singapore, as well as high rise condominiums . Many expatriates and well-heeled Singaporeans live in this region. Its main attractions include popular eateries at Sixth Avenue, as well as Turf City. This region
342-408: Is currently managed by The Plant Story which also operates a café on the premises. Meanwhile, the workshop area is used to conduct workshops organised by HortPark. The Hands-On House is a laboratory in a classroom setting. It also consists of a sheltered demonstration area in an outdoor setting for learning purposes. It is also popular with small groups of fitness and wellness enthusiasts. HortLawn
380-766: Is located near to the HortCentre while the Event Lawn can be found near the Hands-On House. Both lawns are suitable for hosting outdoor activities. The Butterfly Garden was opened in May 2009 by the National Parks Board in partnership with National Biodiversity Centre to allow visitors to learn about the different stages of butterfly metamorphosis and also serve as an experimental garden to facilitate butterfly species recovery. The 150-square-metre (1,600 sq ft) landscaped theme garden allows visitors to encounter
418-548: Is reflected by the selection of plant species. HortPark played host to GardenTech 2007 and GardenTech 2009, a biennial gardening carnival that showcases the latest horticulture and landscaping technology tools, products and services. Both local and overseas exhibitors alike participated in the carnival. HortPark also features a series of other initiatives by the National Parks Board (NParks). They include Community in Bloom (CIB), which encourages communal gardening and "The Living Wall",
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#1732872830666456-647: The Haw Par Villa . The main housing areas within Queenstown include: Forfar House, or Block 39, was built in 1956 by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) as a 14-storey block (which at that time was the tallest residential building in Singapore, holding the record until the building of a 20-story block at Selegie in 1963). Also known as Chap Si Lao , it was an early part of the mixed height development of
494-513: The Mandarin Chinese name Wu-wei-gang ( Wade Giles : Wu-wei-kang), or in Hokkien as Boh Beh Kang. The arterial road Queensway was officially named in 1954. Previously, the area which Queenstown currently occupies was a large swampy valley with a channel running through in a southeastern direction. On either side of this agricultural area were hills – feng xing and feng ling . The former
532-668: The New town movements in post-war Britain . The area was subsequently chosen by Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) as a site for housing development due to its proximity to the successful first public housing scheme in Tiong Bahru . Plans for the development of the area were first announced to the general public on 27 September 1953, with construction of Queenstown's first estate, Princess Margaret Estate (named after HM Elizabeth II's younger sister) having already begun last in July last year. By late 1953,
570-403: The 1970s, the success of the new town led to the development of Buona Vista and Holland Village , using the older neighbourhoods of Queenstown as a model. However, by the 1980s, the area had become a mature estate with a higher proportion of senior citizens residing in the area than elsewhere, and a gradual migration of the younger generation into other HDB new towns. Queenstown is bounded by
608-407: The 2000s as part of the urban renewal efforts. It was announced in 2006 that Margaret Drive will be developed into a modern district with amenities. Due to the comparatively longer heritage of Queenstown district, local community has flourished. Various online communities such as MyQueenstown have been introduced by the local, independent parts of the district. This has certainly changed the image of
646-664: The Buona Vista MRT Station. Kent Ridge Bus Terminal is located within the vicinity of the Kent Ridge campus of the National University of Singapore , at the western portion of the planning area. All three bus terminals within the planning area are anchored by Clementi Bus Package under Bus Contracting Model . Queenstown planning area is connected by road to the rest of Singapore via the Ayer Rajah Expressway ,
684-497: The Industry Development arm under NParks. Queenstown, Singapore North West CDC South West CDC Tanjong Pagar GRC West Coast GRC Queenstown is a planning area and satellite residential town situated on the south-westernmost fringe of the Central Region of Singapore . It borders Bukit Timah to the north, Tanglin to the northeast, Bukit Merah to the east and southeast, as well as Clementi to
722-546: The Port. Pasir Panjang lies to the south of Queenstown ( Pasir Panjang in Malay means "long sandy beach"). The coastline was dotted with Malay villages, the main economic activities being fishing and small-scale agriculture . Only after the war, did the development of the area begin, with bungalows along the coastline being built in the 1950s. Today, Pasir Panjang is a popular recreational area for sea sports and attractions such as
760-710: The Ulu Pandan Canal, Ghim Moh Housing Estate and the former Tanglin Camp area to the north, Alexandra Road to the east, Clementi Road to the west and the sea to the south. It covers an area of approximately 2,188 ha . The total population (1990 census) is 126,071 with 31,131 housing units. It consists of 16 subzones, namely Ghim Moh , Holland Drive, Commonwealth, Tanglin Halt, Margaret Drive, Mei Chin, Queensway, Portsdown, Buona Vista , Singapore Polytechnic , Dover , National University , Kent Ridge, Pasir Panjang , Pasir Panjang II, and
798-426: The area. The new blocks at Forfar Heights are featured with blue glazing and blue floodlights at the roofline, reminiscent of the early days, where many units were characterised by the blue glass in their windows, by which the district was acquired its Hokkien name Lam Po Lay . Block 39, Forfar Square, had 106 three-room-flats, four shops, and an eating house, until it was demolished in the early 2000s together with
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#1732872830666836-512: The butterflies up close and personal amongst a variety of tropical plants and nearly 20 species of native butterflies. The research focus of the Butterfly Species Recovery Programme is to find suitable nectar and host plants for breeding a variety of butterfly species, including locally extinct species such as clipper ( Parthenos sylvia ) and common sergeant ( Athyma perius ). HortPark features 21 theme gardens. Each theme
874-537: The district. There are 9 Mass Rapid Transit stations that serve the planning area, across 2 lines, the East West Line and the Circle Line . Both lines have an interchange station at Buona Vista station. The 9 stations are: There are 3 bus terminals within the planning area. Buona Vista Bus Terminal is located along Holland Drive while Ghim Moh Bus Terminal is located along Ghim Moh Road. Both of which are near to
912-621: The final stages of the Japanese Invasion in 1942, where the Battle of Bukit Timah was fought. The battle resulted in the fall of Bukit Timah to the Japanese as British had failed to repel the invaders from the area. Beauty World was formerly named Tai Tong Ah Sai Ka i which was founded as an amusement park during the Japanese Occupation. Following the end of occupation, Tai Tong Ah Sai Kai
950-513: The following features: The two-story HortCentre building also serves as the visitor centre . It showcases gardening attractions, which include the Green Roof and the Lifestyle Corner. The building was one of the winners of 2008 International Architecture Award for Best New Global Design. It is also one of the 11 finalists for Urban Land Institute's (ULI) Awards for Excellence 2009. Green Roof
988-569: The new housing estate. During World War II , Pasir Panjang Ridge became a battleground during the Japanese Invasion of Singapore , where a fierce battle was fought between the defending Malay Regiment and the Japanese troops in February 1942. Despite its valiant efforts to defend Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill in Malay), a key strategic defence position, the Malay Regiment was eventually defeated as it
1026-477: The north to the south. The Bukit Timah railway station (BRTS) was one of the five Singapore-Kranji railway stations opened in 1905, the first railway of Singapore. BRTS was decommissioned in July 2011 together with Tanjong Pagar railway station . Sections of the former railway station have been repurposed as a community space, and is now part of the Rail Corridor. Bukit Timah was a major battleground during
1064-623: The northwest and west. Its southern and southwesternmost limits are bounded by the Pandan Strait . Developed by the Singapore Improvement Trust in the 1950s and subsequently by the Housing and Development Board in the 1960s, Queenstown was the first satellite town to be built in the country. Most apartments within the township consists of simple one, two, or three-room flats, typically in low-rise, walk-up blocks. Major development work
1102-767: The southern portion, the West Coast Highway is a major arterial road that links the district of Pasir Panjang to the Jurong Industrial Estate to the west and the Central Area to the east. At the eastern border with Bukit Merah, Alexandra Road is a major road that connects Pasir Panjang Road with Ayer Rajah Expressway, Queensway and Commonwealth Avenue. Bukit Timah North West CDC South West CDC Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Jurong GRC Tanjong Pagar GRC Bukit Timah / ˈ b ʊ k ɪ t ˌ t iː m ɑː / , often abbreviated as Bt Timah ,
1140-772: The surrounding SIT blocks under the Selective en bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS). Currently, the new Forfar Heights consists of two 40-storey blocks (Blk 48, 52) and three 30-storey blocks (Blk 49–51). Residency was offered to residents from the old Forfar House and Blocks 6A & 6B Margaret Drive in 1996, and residents from Block 172–175 Stirling Road & Block 96 Margaret Drive in 2001. The new blocks were launched on Tree Planting Day 2005 and SERS Completion Ceremony on 6 November 2005 with guest of honour, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC. The name for Forfar Heights had its origin from Forfar Square, which like most Queenstown street names,
1178-507: The west. Owing to its prime location, Bukit Timah has some of the densest clusters of luxury condominiums and landed property in the city, with very few public housing. The last identification of the area was on the 1828 map by Frankin and Jackson and was noted as Bukit Timah. As the interior of Singapore was not fully explored, it is likely the name came from the Malays. In Malay, Bukit Timah meant Tin bearing hill . The original Malay name
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1216-536: Was Bukit Temak , meaning "hill of the temak trees " as the temak trees were abundant in the area. It was possible that the British in Singapore had mispronounced or misheard and became Bukit Timah. Bukit Timah Road , was completed in 1843 to provide a link to the highest point of Singapore, the Bukit Timah Hill . The road was then extended northwards to Kranji in 1845, making it one of the earliest roads connecting
1254-406: Was a rubber plantation and the latter, a cemetery also known as boh beh kang . The village in the area, with mainly Hokkien and Teochew -speaking dwellers was also the area was inhabited by hundreds of people in attap -roofed huts, cultivating vegetables, growing fruits and rearing pigs and chickens. Buller Camp, a British military camp , was also set up there until 1953 when it was cleared for
1292-477: Was carried out during the first Five-Year Building Programme between 1960 and 1965. A total of 19,372 dwelling units were constructed between 1952 and 1968. The headquarters of Grab , Razer and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are located in Queenstown. Queenstown was named after Queen Elizabeth II to mark Her Majesty's coronation in 1953. The area was previously known by
1330-779: Was connected to the British Royal Family . The name Forfar comes from The Royal Burgh of Forfar , a Scottish town near the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother . Being the first satellite HDB town in Singapore, Queenstown has one of the highest proportions of elderly aged 65 and above. Many of the residents live in smaller 2-room and 3-room flats. As a result, Queenstown earned its reputation as an "elderly town". Further developments in Dawson located in Princess Estate have attracted many young Singaporeans to this area in
1368-586: Was greatly outnumbered. In 2002, a war museum was opened in Bukit Chandu to commemorate the Battle of Pasir Panjang. In 1947, the Housing Committee of Singapore highlighted the problem of inadequate housing in Singapore. The report proposed the decentralisation of the population away from the city with the building of self-contained residential areas in the suburbs. This proposal was believed to be an influence of
1406-776: Was later extended and Upper Bukit Timah (District 21) was formed. There are 7 MRT stations within the planning area, spanning 2 lines, the Downtown Line and Circle Line . Stage 2 of the Downtown MRT line train service started on 27 December 2015 and parallels the Bukit Timah Road. It connects Bukit Panjang in the North-Western edge of Bukit Timah to the city centre in the South. Both lines have an interchange station at Botanic Gardens MRT station . The 6 other stations are: Bukit Timah
1444-468: Was renamed Beauty World in 1947 and reopened as a market. After being badly damaged by series of fires in the 1970s, Beauty World was acquired by the government and was redeveloped as a shopping centre, which opened in 1984. The Bukit Timah area is a particularly prominent location with high land value. The Bukit Timah Race Course , a thoroughbred horse racing facility, was opened in 1933 and operated until 1999. The land has since been renovated, and
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