From Swamp to Settlement
The Past
Early Settlement of the area was facilitated by the Kallang and Rochor Rivers which were important inland waterways for transport.
In the 19th century, although the area was covered with swamps and ponds, there were numerous kampongs. Bugis settlements were found along the banks of the Rochor River. The Chinese community was centred around the current Syed Alwi Road, in the heart of what is now called “Little India”. Migrants from Pulau Bawean in present day Indonesia settled around Kampong Kapor.
Serangoon Road was one of the first roads to be laid in Singapore and is shown in the 1828 Jackson map as a “road leading across the island”, and connected the plantations in the interior of Singapore as well as those in Johor to the port in the Kallang Basin.
The original Serangoon Road was built by Indian convicts housed in a prison at Bras Basah Road. An Indian community developed in the area around the prison but as the population grew, the area became more congested. After 1900, new Indian immigrants moved to the area around Serangoon Road.
The area was home to brickworks from the late 1820s to 1860. Brickworks are shown in Coleman’s 1836 map between the Rochor and Kallang Rivers. Subsequently, because of the abundance of water, it became an area where cattle and buffalos were reared, the latter being important for transport. Cattle rearing was carried out by the Indian community. The swampy ground was also suited to various forms of agriculture, which was dominated by the Chinese.
The banks of the Kallang River were also an important site for sawmills during the colonial period.
Figure 1: Singapore Old Map[1] and Photo[2]
The Kallang gasworks, commissioned in 1862, initially provided piped gas initially for street lighting, and later for industrial and domestic use. It was decommissioned in 1998.
Figure 2: Straits Times[3]
A massive land reclamation project in the Kallang Basin was launched in 1963, and by 1969, the land in today’s industrial and residential area had largely been reclaimed as shown in the maps below.
Figure 3: 1963 Map[4] /1969 Map[5]
The Present
Post-Modern Narrative
Little India is currently a vibrant area popular with tourists as well as local residents, with a rich cultural heritage. There is a rich architectural heritage which includes housing and shophouses from the 19th century to the present day, including municipal housing constructed by the Singapore Improvement Trust and HDB.
There are old Hindu Temples, churches, mosques, and numerous cultural associations reflecting the diversity of Singapore. It is an important shopping area which includes the Tekka market, and the enormous and world famous Mustafa department store. There are excellent restaurants serving food from all communities.
The area around Serangoon was designated as “Little India” in the 1980s by the then Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, and later became one of the URA’s conservation zones. The map below shows the conservation sites and buildings in pink and red.
Figure 4: 1980 Map[6]
In the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s Masterplan 1980, there are still large industrial areas around Kallang Basin, but at this time this area has begun to show a trend of comprehensive development. In the Masterplan 2019, the area east of Lavender Road and north of Kallang Road is mainly residential and industrial. The former Kampong Bugis has on its waterfront the Kallang Riverside Park, a popular and important public amenity which is an important watersports area, and which includes a stretch of beach.
Figure 5: Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s Masterplan 1980[7]
Figure 6: Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s Masterplan 2019[8]
"Most of the tangible built heritage is found within Little India which is a conservation zone. The areas to the east of Little India are of great significance in the history of Singapore, but land reclamation and demolition over the years mean that there is relatively little in the built heritage in these zones which is of significance."
The Future
What's next for Kallang Basin?
It is assumed that Little India will remain a conservation zone much in its current state. It is part of the officially constructed narrative of distinct ethnic communities in Singapore.
The other two sub-zones have a significant history going back to the earliest days of Singapore, but in their current state seem to have relatively little of significance in terms of cultural heritage compared to Little India.
Bibliography
[1]https://libmaps.nus.edu.sg/
[2] Lee Kip Lin https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/3bf786a6-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad
[3] Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/soil-treatment-tender-called-for-kallang-gasworks-site
[4]https://libmaps.nus.edu.sg/
[5]https://libmaps.nus.edu.sg/
[6]URA, Republic of Singapore
[7]https://www.ura.gov.sg/dc/mp80/mp80map_index.htm
[8]https://www.ura.gov.sg/maps/?service=MP