Geography Assignment Findings: The Built Environment Proudly presented by: IDU 109 Group 7
Introduction •Neighbourhood that we have chosen: Bukit Panjang •Places we have selected: - Senja-Cashew Community Club - Bukit Panjang Plaza - Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market - Zhenghua Park
The story behind bukit panjang • Bukit Panjang was formerly known as Zhenghua, and often abbreviated as either Bt. Panjang, BP or BPJ. • Bukit in the Malay Language means "hill" and Panjang means "long". Bukit Panjang literally means "long hill" which gets its name from the long range of high hills which ends in Bukit Timah to the south.
Choosing the 4 locations to observe
Street Map Note: Arrows show where the places are
Why did we choose these 4 places? •This is because we think that these places are where people usually go every day in the neighbourhood, and there will be a contrast during comparison on different days and timings
Observation Summary and interviews
Senja-Cashew Community Club •Senja-Cashew Community Club is the first fully integrated Community Club and sports complex in Bukit Panjang. •It is also situated in the heart of Bukit Panjang Town opposite Bukit Panjang Plaza (also connected to Bukit Panjang Plaza with a link bridge) To the right is a sketch of the swimming pool in the Community Club
Senja-Cashew Community Club •Has modern sports facilities (swimming pool, infinity pool, multi- purpose hall, street soccer court, dance studios, gym) •Has a childcare centre •Makes use of greenery, as there are plants on the top of the building to keep it cooler. Never seen these potted plants before...probably for decoration purpose and to increase the greenery in the CC
Senja-Cashew Community Club • Through our observations, we concluded that Senja-Cashew Community Club is most often used in the afternoon during weekends. This is due to activities (painting flags, swimming events and competitions, etc) that are conducted by volunteers for both the young and old. • Is going through renovation, building shelter to host events during rainy days To the left is a painted flag which was completed during a flag art session. The picture on the right shows some volunteers are helping to prepare for an acitivity in the Multi-Purpose Hall.
Senja-Cashew Community Club •On weekdays, there are more elderly in the CC and they come every day to sit down and chat with their friends (we saw the same faces)People come here to help organize events / exercise /play sports / relax/ eat. •Most people swam in the swimming pool, as Singapore’s weather is very hot. •The café has the most number of people . •Overall, not a lot of people come to the CC, but there are slightly more people on Sundays.
Bukit Panjang Plaza •Bukit Panjang Plaza is located in the high- density residential area of Bukit Panjang New Town and between the Bukit Panjang and Senja LRT stations. It will also be adjacent to the planned Bukit Panjang Integrated Transport Hub scheduled to open in 2017. •The location is very convenient as it is located right next to some HDBs
Bukit Panjang Plaza •Bukit Panjang Plaza was renovated when the Town Improvement Plan was put into action. The overall design was not changed, but it was painted a different colour. The logo was placed more conspicuously on the top of the building during the renovation. •The Plaza renovated once again last year → extended, and the Kopitiam was changed to another food court called “Kampung” A row of shops during “peak hours”. As you can see, there are quite a number of people doing their shopping.
Bukit Panjang Plaza • People usually come here on Saturdays as it is a weekend, and they mostly go to FairPrice and the Level 2 atrium area, where there are sales. • Most people come here to: shop, buy groceries, eat, watch occasional performances, go for tuition or enjoy the library. Sketch and real image of atrium at level 2.
Interview with Mrs Ng
Interview with Mrs Ng ● Mrs Ng enjoys meeting up with friends at Bukit Panjang Plaza as it is very near where she lives and most of her friends stay near that area. ● She is able to buy her groceries with her friends, have a wide range of food to choose to eat , catch up with the news, know what is happening with the latest activities and drink coffee and tea together. FairPrice in Bukit Panjang Plaza
Interview with Mrs Ng ● Other than plaza, Mrs Ng also likes going to the Senja- Cashew Community Club nearby as there are programmes for her age like yoga, baking and cooking. ● By participating in the programmes, she can strengthen her relationships with her friends while having fun. ● Her friendships with her friends will definitely continue outside the Plaza, she will continue to catch up with her friends outside to advise each other, share good information with each other, make their relationship stronger, communicate more often and get toknow each other better.
Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market • Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market is located at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Bukit Panjang Ring Road, the hawker centre is one of 20 being built by the Government over the next few years, to ensure the availability of affordable food options • It was officially open last year and the vegetables are sold at cheap prices, and the hawker center sells a huge variety of delicious food. You can see the building’s unique design from the main entrance.
Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market • There are plants growing on the sides of the building vertically which makes use of greenery to keep place cooler. • On the first level is Hawker Centre and on the second level is market that opens every day (except on Mondays) • There are areas in the Hawker Centre that are meant for prams which makes it very convenient for parents to leave their prams there.
Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre and Market • Many people come here every day, especially during the weekends for dinner • In the morning, people go to buy groceries in the market for cooking. • Because of the many people every day, the Hawker Centre and Market have very good business. The main attraction is probably the cheap prices and convenience. Right: A sketch of the side of the building. The darkened window-like parts are actually the plants growing on the building.
Zhenghua Park • Zhenghua Park is located in Bukit Panjang. Skirting the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, the nature park serves as a green buffer for the reserve and had a large diversity of plants and wildlife (37 bird species). • Some examples of the facilities provided there is a multi-purpose event lawn, a children’s play area, an exercise station, a pavilion, public toilets, shelters (that are quite unique looking), as well as jogging and cycling tracks. To the left is a picture of a group of ladies taking a break after an intense workout session.
Zhenghua Park • We concluded that most people are at the park on weekends. • Many children play in the playground (which has sand) and, accompanied by their parents, they make new friends in the park → social interaction and exposure. • Here are some examples of what most people do: jog, cycle, ride a scooter, play ball games, do mass exercise sessions, do Taiji and walk their dogs. A sketch of the many activities going on in the park (playground)
Zhenghua Park • On weekdays, the people who go to the park are mostly the elderly since most children are in school while their parents are at work. • The elderly exercise to keep themselves fit and healthy to stay active. Left: A fern in the park Right: Some unique signs in the park, reminding the people about the rules in the Right: A map of park the park
Interview with Aunty May (45 years-old)
Interview with Aunty May •Aunty May seldom brings family to park, so usually goes with friends •She feels that environment is conducive to exercise and talk as she can meet new and old friends, while being in contact with nature. Right: A photo of Aunty May. It is really nice of her to let us take a decent photo of her!
Interview with Aunty May •Aunty May feels that the Park has better and fresher air, while she can keep herself physically active through jogging. •She has tried keeping fit at other places( eg. doing Yoga at Community Centre), but feels that park is the best place to exercise. •She is able to keep fit while having a wider circle of friends. Rachael and Aunty May posing for a picture!
How do people make use of the space?
Community Centres • People get to know their neighbours better as Community Centres becomes a place where everyone hangs out during their free time (mini get-togethers). • They are able to spend time with people in their neighbourhood as they get to know more neighbours through forging good relationships (which is encouraged by the government as well!) RIght: An activity (kayaking) which was organized by one of the Community Clubs in Singapore
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