These ugly old flats near the Sim Lim Square shopping complex, right at the junction of Prinsep Street, are slated for demolition. There is an art school being built nearby. These were early government flats, functional monolithic concrete structures, built for the booming population* in the fifties and sixties. It was a period where the majority of people were living in shophouses built around the turn of the century to the twenties and zinc-covered huts in muddy kampongs** in the jungle.
The programme of building subidised flats have been a roaring success over the decades in housing the expanding population then, as such, 80% of the people now live in government-built flats.
Public housing has come a long way. Public housing has evolved greatly then, with newer forms replacing the older ones. The new flats at the Sengkang area resembles condominiums and can be mistaken for them.
These old flats are an early slice of Singaporean history. They will be gone soon.
*I found in an old volume of the Guiness Book of Records that KK Hospital did record the most births then.
** Villages.
3 comments:
hmm... old flats set for demolition. it's a sign of a metropolis constantly on the renewal process.
You're right.
There are still many many nice old shophouses in Peninsular Malaysia. Possibly old British colonial buildings. Well, over here, as you well know, many have been demolished in the name of progress. I am not against progress but I would love to have more photos of them before they go. They were a part of our common history and heritage.
The UK is full of ugly old 50's/60's concrete horrors like these flats ! Demolish the lot that's what I say ! :)
Post a Comment