Our Neighbourhoods Series

Tucked away in the East is a sleeping giant: Bedok, a paragon of the heartlands. Previously bordered by the beach, this neighbourhood was known for its scrumptious seafood. Bedok, or Bodo, as it was once called, is now the district with the largest resident population—and the oldest. Journey with Urban Sketchers Singapore as great change sweeps eastward. Dodge through major construction at the beloved Bedok Town Centre, where Princess Theatre still stands, for the quiet of Bedok North’s songbirds. Have a dip at Bedok Swimming Complex, then replenish your energy with the famed rojak and cheng tng at Bedok South. The artists delightfully depict Bedok Reservoir too, where a certain Wall has travelled all the way from Berlin to Bedok.

Established by the colonial government, southwest of the Singapore River, to cater to Singapore’s Chinese-majority immigrant population, Chinatown is today a bustling destination, much like its counterparts around the world. Designated a conservation area by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 1989, the neighbourhood is still referred to as “Niu Che Shui”—literally “ox-cart water”, a reference to how the area received its water supply—by some. The pre-war shophouses that once housed coolies, opium dens and letter-writers are now occupied by a mix of old and new: restaurants, souvenir shops, spas, bars and boutiques. The food stalls on Smith Street pay homage to hawkers of the past, and early malls like People’s Park Complex have gone new age with rooftop gardens. Reflecting Singapore’s multi-ethnic nature, Chinatown also interestingly houses the country’s oldest Hindu temple, and the prominent Jamae Mosque. We Love Chinatown offers a glimpse into this vibrant neighbourhood, as seen through the eyes of the talented artists from Urban Sketchers Singapore.

Since pre-independence days, Geylang Serai has served as a hub for the Malay and Indonesian communities in Singapore. It was home to the Malay Village, built in 1989 to showcase kampong life and sell ethnic handicrafts, traditional costumes and souvenirs. In the fasting month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya Puasa, the area comes alive with performances and bazaars, as families shop for new clothes and delicious goodies. Follow the artists from Urban Sketchers Singapore through this eastern neighbourhood as they document its key landmarks and scenes of daily life. After you’ve worked up an appetite, feast your eyes on the sketchers’ delicious depictions of nasi padang, biryani , satay, otah and other Malay and Indian dishes at the two-storey Geylang Serai New Market and Food Centre.

Little India, often called Tekka, is popular with Singaporeans of all races, South Asian migrant workers and tourists alike. Venture down the main thoroughfare in Serangoon Road with the members of Urban Sketchers Singapore and explore all of Little India's many side streets. From food enclaves serving traditional spicy fish head curries, to art galleries and beauty salons, take a stroll along the conserved shophouses and be surprised with what you can find.

Directly facing Singapore’s seafront, the eastern neighbourhood of Katong has long inspired fierce pride and loyalty in its residents. Follow the artists from Urban Sketchers Singapore through the shophouse-lined streets of this former enclave of the Eurasian and Peranakan communities. Marvel at the intricate details on each conserved shophouse, and the old-world charm of breezy terrace houses. Savour the mouth-watering cuisine, from the infamous Katong laksa, to kopi and kaya toast at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, to fresh roasted chestnuts from a street vendor. Get a glimpse of Singapore’s past in the schools, religious sites and family-run businesses that have witnessed the sweeping tides of change over the years. Capturing the neighbourhood by day and by night, We Love Katong is a timely volume that captures the area’s rich heritage, even as it welcomes new, modern establishments.

Originally a backwater swamp housing the Ying Fo Lut and Boh Beh Kang kampongs, Queenstown became Singapore’s first satellite town. It was named in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. As this grand old dame of an estate celebrates her 60th anniversary in 2013, the artists from Urban Sketchers Singapore capture the enduring landmarks and scenes of everyday life in the neighbourhood. Take a trip down memory lane and imagine the late Queenstown cinema and bowling alley in its heyday. Visit Stirling Road to view Singapore’s first HDB blocks and enjoy the unique personality of each HDB terrace house. Admire the religious harmony and architectural diversity of Queenstown’s churches, temples and mosques. To escape the heat, slip into the cool oasis of Queenstown Community Library, which remains in the middle of winding Margaret Drive.

Home to the beloved Chomp Chomp Food Centre and the iconic Serangoon Gardens Circus, Serangoon Gardens—or affectionately known as Ang Sar Lee to older Singaporeans—has been designated an “identity node” by the Urban Redevelopment Authority since 2013. Its distinctive charm is derived from its rich heritage that seeps into its thriving present; from a nameless Malay barber that has been in operation for more than 20 years because of its loyal customers, to the conserved shophouses that have become synonymous with the area. With the artists from Urban Sketchers Singapore, we journey through this quiet and laidback suburban estate, where nostalgia and modern convenience seamlessly blend, resulting in a unique atmosphere that is unlike anywhere in Singapore.

Admire beautiful sketches of well-loved places in Toa Payoh—the grand old dame that is the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex; the lovely Toa Payoh Town Park; the famous Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery…. Or reminisce over the smaller nooks and crannies, such as the old-timer Bugs Bunny barber shop and the bird singing pavilion at Lorong 4. By artists from Urban Sketchers Singapore, the drawings in this little time capsule of a book bring to you all that is quintessentially ‘Toa Payoh’.

Tiong Bahru is Singapore’s first public housing estate. Built in the 1930s by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), the original 784 flats, 54 tenements and 33 shops housed over 6,000 people. Its name is uniquely Singaporean— ‘tiong’ is Hokkien for cemetery and ‘bahru’ is Malay for ‘new’—a reference to the presence of a burial ground in the area before the SIT development. The neighbourhood was known as a ‘den of beauties’ in its early years, reputedly because the rich housed their mistresses here. Some of the old remains: the characteristic balconies and staircases of the buildings; its neighbourly spirit; its smallness, which means everything is within walking distance. The return of trendy eateries and modish lifestyle stores has also restored somewhat the allure of its early glamour years.