Sembawang 651591 222912720 2008-07-01T18:38:12Z VolkovBot 3035831 robot Adding: [[mr:सेंबावांग]] {| cellpadding=3px cellspacing=0px bgcolor=#f7f8ff style="float:right; border:1px solid; margin:5px" !style="background:#ccf; border-bottom:1px solid" colspan=2|Sembawang New Town |- |align=right|Total area:||7.08 km² |- |align=right|Residential area:||3.76 km² |- |align=right|Dwelling units:||17,874 |- |align=right|Projected ultimate:||64,000 |- |align=right|Population:||58,700 |} [[Image:Sembawang Group Representation Constituency locator map.png|thumb|left|240px| [[Sembawang Group Representation Constituency]].]] '''Sembawang''' ({{zh-s|s=三巴旺}}) is an area in the Northern-most portion of [[Singapore]], encompassing the largest land mass within the [[Sembawang GRC|Sembawang Group Representation Constituency]]. The incumbent [[Members of the Singapore Parliament|Member of Parliament]] for the Sembawang Constituency is [[Khaw Boon Wan]]. The constituency jurisdiction extends into the [[Woodlands New Town]], bordering the Woodlands, Marsiling and Admiralty constituency. The Sembawang Road End region contains some of the historically important colonial architecture which remains standing on the main land till this day. Towards the north-west lies the new residential town of Sembawang, replacing the previous satellite town of Sembawang Road End, of which the latter was phrased out in early 2004 under the [[Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme]]. Despite the relatively large development in the new residential area, Sembawang remain a largely suburban residential area with [[military]], industrial and [[recreation]]al facilities at its periphery. It hosted a major [[naval base]] and port facilities since the early 20th century, and continues to handle regular shipping traffic today. ==Etymology== The earliest reference to '''''Sembawang''''' is found in [[Jackson Plan|Franklin and Jackson's 1830 ''Map of Singapore'']], which refers to the River Tambuwang. The place is said to have got its name from the Sembawang tree [[Kayea ferruginea|(''Kayae ferruginea'')]], which has been renamed [[Mesua ferruginea|''Mesua ferruginea'']] from 1980. This tree can be seen at Carpark C1, [[Sembawang Park]]. Bereft of its particle, ''sem'', the second word, ''bawang'', means "[[onion]]" in [[Malay language|Malay]]. ==History== The Sembawang area in the early [[twentieth century]] was the site of the [[Yishun|Nee Soon]] Rubber estate. During the [[History of Singapore#Singapore as a Crown colony .281867 .E2.80.93 1941.29|colonial times]], Sembawang was home to a major British naval base, its construction of which began in [[1928]] and was completed in [[1938]].<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/65/si/Singapor.html</ref> The base included [[shipyard|dockyards]], [[wharve]]s and workshops, as well as supporting administrative, residential and commercial areas. The Naval Base has since been handed over to the [[Government of Singapore|Singapore government]], which in [[1968]] converted it into a commercial dockyard that went on to become [[Sembawang Corporation]], a major state-owned industrial [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] listed on the [[Singapore stock exchange]]. ===Land reclamation=== Extensive [[land reclamation]] throughout Singapore has left Sembawang with one of the country's last natural beaches,<ref>http://www.singapore-window.org/sw05/050414re.htm</ref><ref>http://www.jeremybwilliams.net/ruminations/archives/000191.html</ref> the Wak Hassan Beach located at [[Sembawang Park]]. Today, the vegetable farms, [[rubber]] [[plantation]]s and Chinese graveyards surrounding the former naval base have given way to modern housing, especially in the 1990s during the development of a [[New town]] by the Singapore [[Housing and Development Board]]. The town remains a major port, with Sembawang [[Wharve]]s handling a high volume of bulk [[commodities]] cargo, such as [[timber]] and [[rubber]].<ref>http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-11865.html</ref> ===Roads and waterways=== [[Image:Sembawang Estate.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Sungei Sembawang winds through the Sembawang new town.]] [[Image:Sembawang.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sembawang in the morning.]] One of the key roads which was built to connect the navel base to the city centre in the South is Sembawang Road. This road began as a track in the 1920s and was officially named '''''Sembawang Road''''' in 1938. Buses operated by various private companies were the main mode of transport then. This road was also dotted with many villages along its length : Chye Kay Village, Sungei Simpang Village, Chong Pang Village, Sembawang Village. Most of these villages were cleared from 1970s - 1990s to make way for [[Yishun]] and Sembawang New Towns. The last of the villages, [[Kampong]] Wak Hassan, was cleared in 1998. Present day Sembawang Road is a major arterial road linking the Northern and Central portion of [[Singapore]]. Many other roads in Sembawang are still named after various [[Royal Navy]] Dockyards, [[warship]]s, [[admiral|Admirals]], countries and cities. Examples include [[Wellington]], [[Canberra]], [[Canada]], [[Gibraltar]], [[Kenya]] and [[Falkland]]. These names were given during the previous British administration, and reflect the town's history as a British [[naval base]]. The main river running through Sembawang, the Sungei Sembawang, flowed along a winding route and ended to the west of Sembawang Shipyard. Its middle section was diverted in the 1920s to provide the land needed for the British Naval Base. During the 1970s, the Northern portions of the river was straightened and [[River engineering#Canalization of Rivers|canalised]]. The Southern portions of the river, which consisted of [[mangrove]]s, [[pond]]s and [[grassland]], was filled up in the 1990s in preparation for the development of Sembawang New Town. ===Military=== As part of a [[1990]] agreement between Singapore and the [[United States]], American [[military of the United States|military]] forces (primarily [[United States Navy|naval]] and [[United States Air Force|air force]]) have been making use of Sembawang's base facilities. The [[Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific]] (COMLOG WESTPAC) command has been headquartered in Sembawang since [[1992]], providing [[military logistics|logistic]] support for the [[U.S. 7th Fleet]] in its operations in the [[Pacific]] and [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/singapore.htm</ref> ==Sembawang New Town== ===Planning and construction=== The planning of Sembawang New Town was first mentioned in the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]]'s [http://www.ura.gov.sg/dgp_reports/sembawg/main.html Planning Report for Sembawang (1996)]. This Development Guide Plan, with the aid of zoning maps, highlights the various land zoning proposals, which eventually led to the creation of Sembawang New Town. This provides an interesting perspective to the development of the town. The [[Sembawang MRT Station|Sembawang Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station]] serves as the central hub, around which residential, commercial as well as industrial zones mushroomed. ===Public housing=== The [[HDB|Housing and Development Board (HDB)]] flats in the [http://www.ura.gov.sg/dc/plng_area/images/plng-area-map-b.gif Sembawang Planning Area] have been split among three divisions, each of which is represented by a Member of Parliament. The [http://www.northwestcdc.org.sg North West Community Development Council (CDC)] is the local administration, initiating, planning and managing community programmes to promote community bonding and social cohesion. ====Sembawang Division (MP Mr. [[Khaw Boon Wan]])==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Road Name ! Flats |- | Wellington Circle | Blk 501-502A, 506A-507D, 588A-588C |- | Montreal Drive | Blk 504-504B, 504D, 589A-589D |} ====Canberra Division (MP Dr Lim Wee Kiak)==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Road Name ! Flats |- | Canberra Link | Blk 503A-503C, 504C, 505 |- | Canberra Rd | Blk 300, 302, 311, 350A-351D, 352A-352C , 416-425 |- | Sembawang Close | Blk 319-324, 329-335, 339-341B |- | Sembawang Crescent | Blk 325-328, 335A-338 |- | Admiralty Drive | Blk 356A-360C, 467-469B |- | Sembawang Drive | Blk 466-466D, 470-481A |- | Admiralty Link | Blk 482-493 |} ====Chong Pang Division (MP Mr. K Shanmugam)==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Road Name ! Flats |- | Sembawang Dr | Blk 312-314, 406-415 |- | Sembawang Vista | Blk 315-318 |- | Admiralty Dr | Blk 353A-354D |- | Sembawang Way | Blk 355A |- | Admiralty Link | Blk 401-405 |} ===Current and future development=== In the [http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/gazettedmp2003/index.htm Draft 2003 Master Plan], a [http://www.ura.gov.sg/ppd/mp2003/index.jsp?content=nplay03&region=north Sembawang Activity Corridor] was proposed. Plans are in place to develop an activity corridor stretching from the Sembawang Town Centre to the Jalan Legundi area. Mentioned in the Plan was the development of the [[Sembawang Bus Interchange]] next to Sun Plaza, as well as a Sembawang Sports Complex at the junction of Sembawang Road / Canberra Road / Sembawang Avenue. Park connectors linking [[Sembawang MRT Station]] and [[Woodlands MRT Station|WoodlandsMRT Station]] are in the work, as well as a new park connector along Sungei Simpang Kiri from Yishun Avenue 2 to Sembawang Road, bringing people to the lively Sembawang Activity Corridor. A new Community Centre for Sembawang residents will be co-located with the existing Sembawang Neighbourhood Police Centre at Sembawang Drive. Recent updates of the Sembawang Planning Area can be accessed [http://www.ura.gov.sg/student/planning_areas/sembawang.htm here]. ===Communal facilities=== [[Image:Ns11sembawang.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sembawang MRT Station]] The new town contains some of the most common communal facilities found in Singapore, such as: * [[Sembawang MRT Station]]. To preserve the [[kampong]] atmosphere of Sembawang, this station has a uniquely-shaped kampong-styled roof. Acceding to a request by workers from the Sembawang Shipyard, the [[Land Transport Authority]] constructed a bay for 350 bicycles as most of the workers cycle to and from work. This is in-line with the [[environmentally friendly]] mentality prevalent in the kampongs. * Shopping centres, including the [[Sun Plaza]] shopping centre next to the [[Sembawang MRT Station]], and [[Sembawang Shopping Centre]] which is opening in the last quarter of [[2008]]. * The [http://www.nlb.gov.sg/CPMS.portal?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=portlet_7_6&portlet_7_6_actionOverride=%2FIBMS%2FLibraryBranch%2FbranchDisplayAction&portlet_7_6%7BactionForm.branchName%7D=SBCL&portlet_7_6commonBrudCrum=Sembawang+&_pageLabel=CPMS_page_visitus_AllLibraries Sembawang Community Library], managed by the [[National Library Board]] is situated within the Sun Plaza shopping centre. It serves residents in the North West areas of [[Lim Chu Kang]], [[Mandai]], [[Sembawang]], [[Simpang]], [[Sungei Kadut]], [[Woodlands%2C Singapore|Woodlands]] and [[Yishun]]. * Three primary schools ([[Canberra Primary School]], [[Sembawang Primary School]], [[Endeavours Primary School]] and [[Wellington Primary School]]), and three secondary schools ([[Canberra Secondary School]], [[Sembawang Secondary School]] and the [[filler school|holding campus]] of [[Naval Base Secondary School]], located there due to [[Programme For Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools|PRIME]]). * [[Sembawang Bus Interchange]], strategically located next to Sun Plaza, was completed in December [[2005]]. This replaced the old bus interchange located at the Northern tip of Sembawang Road, just next to [[Sembawang Park]]. Some photos of the old interchange can be found [http://rides.webshots.com/album/527552929OzTrqk?start=0 here]. ==Attractions== ===Bottle Tree Village=== The Bottle Tree Village is located at the end of Jalan Mempurong and is famous for its Bottle Trees ([[Brachychiton rupestris|''Brachychiton rupestris'']]) which have been specially flown in from [[Queensland]], [[Australia]] by the owner Mr. Alex Neo and Mr. Colin Chia. Apart from the unique trees, other [[Australian flora]] can be spotted in the surroundings. An eatery, Sembawang Eating House, is located within this Village, serving traditional Chinese stir-fry dishes. (www.bottletree.com.sg) ===Sembawang Park=== [[Sembawang Park]], a 15 hectare tranquil park developed in the 1970s and maintained by the [[National Parks Board]], is situated at the Northern tip of Sembawang Road. One of the few parks in Singapore with a natural beach, the Wak Hassan Beach, this park is a heaven for city dwellers who are tired of the never-ending concrete buildings and sky-scrapers. It's a popular spot for campers as well as families who wish to spend an idyllic day by the beach. One can dine at the Beaulieu House, built in 1910, which was the residence of Admiral Sir [[Geoffrey Layton]] (Commander-in-Chief [[British Eastern Fleet]], 1940-1942). A wide range of fauna and flora awaits visitors, ranging from the spectacular Cannon Ball tree ([[Couroupita guianensis|''Couroupita guianensis'']]) to the many species of birds which have made the park their nesting grounds.<ref>http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/heritage/sembawang/birdsofsembawang.html</ref> <gallery> Image:Sun_rise_semb_park.jpg|Sunrise Image:Wak_Hassan_Beach.jpg|Wak Hassan Beach Image:Cannon_ball_tree.jpg|Cannon Ball Tree </gallery> ===Sembawang Park Connector=== The [http://www.nparks.gov.sg/park_connectors_9.asp Sembwang Park Connector] is part of the Park Connector Network managed by the National Parks Board. As their name imply, these connectors aim to form a continuous loop which would hopefully connect all the major parks within Singapore. The Sembawang Park Connector runs parallel to Sungei Sembawang, a canal which serves as the demarcation between Woodlands and Sembawang New Towns. ===Simpang Kiri Park Connector=== The [http://www.nparks.gov.sg/park_connectors_12.asp Simpang Kiri Park Connector] demarcates the Southern border of Sembawang New Town, starting from the Southernmost tip of Canberra Link and terminating at Jalan Mempurong, where the Bottle Tree Village and Masjid Penempatan Melayu Sembawang can be found. ===Sembawang Hot Spring=== The [[Sembawang Hot Spring]], discovered in 1909, is located near the junction of Sembawang Road and Gambas Avenue, along Jalan Ulu Sembawang. It is [[Singapore]] mainland's only natural hot spring and was once bottled for sale under the label ''Seletaris'' by [[Fraser and Neave]], a food and beverage company. Located on land used by the [[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Ministry of Defence]], improvement works were carried out in the area surrounding the spring and it was re-opened to the public on [[1 May]] [[2002]]. ===Sembawang Camp=== Except by permission, the military base in Admiralty Road is open only to military personnel on official business. However, there are transport exhibits adjacent to the helicopter pad and naval exhibits in Endurance Block. ==See also== * [[List of countries by northernmost point]] ==References== * Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2003), ''Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names'', Eastern Universities Press, ISBN 981-210-205-1 * N Edwards, Peter Keys (1985), ''Singapore, A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places'', Times Books International, ISBN 997-165-231-5 * Yim Chee Peng (2001), ''Sembawang Town : Aesthetically Yours'', Roseapple Books {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.sembawangtc.org.sg/ Sembawang Town Council official website] * [http://www.clwp.navy.mil/ USN Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific official website] * [http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_580_2005-01-24.html Infopedia, Sembawang Hot Spring] (National Library Board) * [http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_361_2004-12-24.html Infopedia, Sembawang Road] (National Library Board) {{Places in Singapore}} [[Category:Places in Singapore]] [[Category:North Region in Singapore]] [[Category:Sembawang|Sembawang]] [[Category:Royal Navy bases]] [[mr:सेंबावांग]]