The North-East Region (Malay: Wilayah Timur Laut, Chinese: 東北區) of Singapore is one of the five regions in the country. The region is the most densely populated and has the highest population among the five, with Sengkang being its most populous town as of 2020 and Seletar as the regional centre. Comprising 13,810 hectares, it includes seven planning areas and is largely a residential region with 217,120 homes.[3] Housing largely consists of high-density HDBpublic housing estates, however private housing is also present in the region. As its name implies, it is located in the north-eastern part of Singapore.[4]
The North-East Region, along with the four other planning regions, was officially established by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 1999.[5] Prior to the 1970s, the region was predominantly rural and experienced very little urbanisation. It was only with the development of towns such as Ang Mo Kio and Hougang over the next few decades that the region began to grow significantly in population and experienced dramatic urban development. As of 2020, the North-East Region has a population of 930,910.[6] While predominantly a residential region, the North-East Region is also home to tourist attractions, such as Pulau Ubin and Coney Island. The region has a number of hospitals, parks, educational facilities, and security and defence services. There are also a variety of transport options, including Mass Rapid Transit, Light Rail Transit and public bus services, facilitating transport within and outside the region.
History
Before the 1960s, the North-East Region was primarily made up of farmland and rainforest. At this time the majority of urbanisation in Singapore was concentrated in the southern part of the country, where the Central Region is now located. The first Master Plan was adopted in 1958.[7] The Master Plan was a statutory plan which regulated land use and development over a 20-year period, to be reviewed every five years.[7] One of the main aims of this plan was to establish New Towns away from the Central Region, laying the precedent for the North-East Region’s urban development.[7] However, this plan was soon deemed inefficient and not flexible enough to accommodate the rapid demographic and economic development in Singapore.[8] In 1971 the Concept Plan was introduced, a more long-term plan which rather than providing a detailed guide for urban planning, it simply provided a general direction for development over the next 40 to 50 years.[8] These two combined planning processes (The Master Plan and the Concept Plan) continue to be revised every few years, led by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.[8]
It was over the next few decades that towns within the North East Region were built up. The first new towns were Ang Mo Kio and Hougang. Ang Mo Kio New Town began development in 1973[9] and Hougang in 1979.[10] Up until the 1990s, the North-East Region was included as part of the Rural Planning Area.[11] This area consisted of most of the land outside of the Central Planning Area. However, under the 1991 Concept Plan, the country was officially organised into five regions, along with 55 subdivision.[11] Thus, the North East Region was established. This system allowed for more area specific planning and detailed land use guides.
According to the Singapore Department of Statistics’ 2020 Population Trends report, the total population of the North-East Region is 930,910.[6] Out of its 7 planning areas, Sengkang is the most populated, with 249,370 residents.[6] Alternatively, the North-Eastern Islands is the least populated area with only 50 residents, as it is one of the few areas in Singapore that has not experienced dramatic urban development.[6]
According to the 2015 General Household Survey, the most common ethnic background in the North-East Region is Chinese, accounting for the majority of the population.[12] Additionally, English is the most common language spoken at home (35.4%), closely followed by Mandarin (33.9%).[12] Other common languages spoken at home include other Chinese dialects (13.4%), Malay (7.8%) and Tamil (3.5%). The most popular religion followed is Buddhism (36.3%), while other prevalent religions in the region include Christianity (19.3%), Taoism (11.1%), Islam (9.1%) and Hinduism (4.6%).[12] In addition, 19.1% of people practise no religion.[12]
Economy
Aviation
The region is home to the Seletar Aerospace Park, which houses several aviation manufacturing and research facilities owned by companies such as Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney[13] and Singapore Technologies Aerospace, allowing the aviation industry in Singapore to expand out of Changi, which is a major aviation and commercial zone located in the East region of the country. Several industrial zones are also located within the region such as Defu Industrial Estate in Hougang and Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park in Ang Mo Kio.
Technology
New Punggol Road in Punggol Digital District
The Punggol Digital District, a business park located in Punggol, houses companies in the digital industry.[14] Announced in 2018, the business park is expected to provide 28,000 jobs in the technology sector, specialising in cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, fintech, and smart living.[15]
Tourism
Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin, a tourist attraction within the North-East RegionConey Island, a popular attraction off the northeastern coast.
Coney Island, also known as Pulau Serangoon, is also a popular attraction within the region. Located off the northeastern coast within the planning area of Punggol, Coney island is accessible via two bridges at the eastern and western ends of the island, linking it to the main island. Visitors to the island can participate in activities such as cycling, bird watching and nature walks.[19] Coney Island Park is managed by the National Parks Board and home to a range of different habitats and a variety of fauna and flora.[19]
Infrastructure
Education
Residents living within the area have access to different educational facilities ranging from preschools to primary and secondary schools as these are located around the different towns in the North-East region.
There are 28 secondary schools within the North-East Region, including:[20]
There are also 28 operational LRT stations in the region, connecting residential areas to the MRT lines. There are two main LRT lines in the region: the Punggol LRT line and the Sengkang LRT line.
Bus
Serangoon Bus Interchange
The North-East Region has an established public bus network and a number of bus interchanges connecting towns within the region and to other parts of the country.
The following bus interchanges are located within the North-East Region:[34]
The North-East Region is predominantly a residential area. Like other regions outside the city centre, towns in the North-East Region are largely made up of high-density, high-rise public housing, provided by the Housing and Development Board (HDB).[37] HDB estates make up 78.72% of households in the region.[6] Each of these housing developments are designed for self-sufficiency, with schools, hospitals, parks, sports facilities, shopping malls and other amenities easily available to residents.[37] The North-East Region experiences continual development of housing and other public facilities. New housing in Ang Mo Kio, Hougang and Serangoon is being developed, along with new transport options, parks and other amenities.[38] In recent years, the HDB has also developed more of a focus on sustainability and incorporating ecological considerations into town planning.[39] The town of Punggol was branded as the “first eco-town”, with more greenery incorporated into the area, along with the development of the Punggol Promenade and Waterway.[39]
Landmarks
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built 1853.
Historic sites
The National Heritage Board has designated a number of “historic sites” in Singapore, some of which are located in the North-East Region. These include:
Chee Tong Temple, located in Hougang and finally completed in 1987.[40]
St. Paul's Church, an Anglican church built in Hougang in 1936.[45]
Tou Mu Kung, a Taoisttemple completed in 1921. It is the oldest temple in Singapore dedicated to the worship of Jiu Huang Ye.[46]
Woodbridge Museum, established in 1993, provides information and exhibitions surrounding the history of the old Woodbridge Hospital, which has now become the Institute of Mental Health.[47] The hospital dates back to 1841, where it was the first medical facility in Singapore for treating the mentally ill.[48] It was also used during World War II to provide treatment to soldiers and civilians.[48]
Zi Yun Kai Ji Gong, a complex of three temples completed in 1996. The three temples are Keat Sun Beo, Kai Hock Tong and Chao Ying Kong.[49]
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