Tiong Bahru. My Community. My Space.

There is a distinct, quiet charm around Tiong Bahru, one of the oldest housing estates in Singapore. A reflection of Singapore’s heritage itself, Tiong Bahru is famous for its unique architecture, symbolic demographic background of the residents and iconic bird singing competitions. It is also known as a paradise for local culinary delights. Its strong identity is evident through tangible factors, like the unique physical features, and intangible factors, like the strong social ties between the people.


The distinctive architecture of Tiong Bahru contributes to its strong place identity. Symbolic meanings are invested in environments and the emotional relationships with them are significant, particularly contributing to self and social identity for people. Specifically unique to Tiong Bahru are the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) flats. They boast rounded balconies, shuttered windows, spiral staircases and light wells, which shows its quaint art deco style. These flats are a contribution to the identity of Tiong Bahru, so that is why 20 blocks of these public housing projects, built up in the 1930s as the first mass helmed by the SIT, have been gazetted for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority. This assures the public that the essence of Tiong Bahru will be kept, even as its identity and charm continues to evolve. 


Other than helping people identify and feel a sense of belonging to the area, physical environments also serve as common spaces. The elderly in Tiong Bahru have developed a sense of physical, social, and autobiographical “insideness”, where they feel intimately familiar with a physical setting, that is manifested in everyday actions. For example, the park on Boon Tiong Road is the morning and evening gathering place for the elderly, where they stay to chat, and build relationships. Also, another area is the famous Tiong Bahru Market. Originally built in the 1950s, it underwent a major renovation in 2006, and is located right at the heart of the estate. Not only is it a symbolic landmark, it is also an important social node where residents have their simple meals of  the very popular lor mee, chwee kueh, hokkien mee, and interact at the same time. The market also showcases Tiong active folk culture, with events like its regular 7th Lunar Month dinner and auctions. Many Tiong Bahru residents are fully aware of the importance of these physical beacons of social interaction in the elderly's community life, and they mention these places as part of their overall narrative of Tiong Bahru's distinctiveness. Madam Lim Ah Way, 86 says: "This is the place I'm most familiar and comfortable with, and where all my friends are," she explained. “There are many old people here who feel the same,” she added.


Another example is the Tiong Bahru Community Center (TBCC) at Eu Chin Street where the elderly often congregate and socialise. The familiarity of these daily meetings led to the development of a strong and warm social network among the elderly. TBCC have been active in fostering community spirit among the people, especially when organizing activities such as block parties and tours.


Therefore, the common demographic backgrounds of the elderly, along with strong activism that unites the residents have resulted in a substantial sense of neighbourly support and social harmony. Ultimately, these, along with the many distinctive physical features exclusive to Tiong Bahru, have cultivated a strong sense of identity in the district. And given it the image of an elderly estate.


But like any other neighbourhood, Tiong Bahru is changing. This sense of neighbourliness is not as strong as it was in the past, as the community now shows signs of division. Over the last few years, the government has implemented new housing policies, resulting in the displacement of older residents and urban gentrification, where wealthier and younger people acquire property in Tiong Bahru. Expatriates and the affluent move in, attracted firstly by Tiong Bahru’s old-world charm and serenity. Perhaps it is also to reminisce the bygone era in the history if this nostalgic neighbourhood. Secondly, is to have the convenience of living near the city where their workplaces are located.
Some of the elderly have moved out of the flats, following their family who have shifted into newer housing estates. Another reason why they moved is because of the lack lifts. It is inconvenient for them who have to climb up and down stairs every day, 5 stories in all.


Thus, with new variety of residents coming in, the demographic status of Tiong Bahru has changed. The gap between younger and older generation becomes more prominent and it is harder for interaction. Firstly, it is because of communication barriers. The elderly engage in dialect, while the young blabber in fast English. Besides, with hetic work schedules, there is minimal opportunity for interaction. The young have time only for simple greetings with their older neighbours before they rush off to work. Furthermore, there is lack of common space; the young frequent supermarkets while the favourite gathering place of the elderly is the Tiong Bahru Market. With lack of opportunities to communicate, Tiong Bahru’s sense of commonalty is and community is fractured.


Along with its residents, Tiong Bahru's landscape has evolved. Some streets which used to be cluttered with only old coffee and provision shops are now tidily lined with the shophouses refurbished and freshly painted. Many ground level units now sport fancy, contemporary businesses with sleek, modern lines. An example is BooksActually, a flagship bookstore tucked away at Yong Siak Street, selling vintage items, including post-cards, stationary etc. Just beside it is Strangelets, known for its special European furniture shaped like animals. With items heavily priced, these shops cater specifically to only new demographic with higher income brackets; none that appeal to the older generation.  The function of the area has also thus shifted from mix-use dwellings to more capital-intensive commercial and business activities.


Another example is the Bird Singing Corner which was initially situated at one end of Tiong Bahru Block 53 and has been around for more 50 years. In the past, bird lovers all over Singapore would gather on weekend mornings to admire the prized birds in their nicely adorned cages, and afterwards, talk over a cup of coffee at Ting Heng Kopitiam, just round the bend. This served a common space for residents to bond and foster spirit. However, the bird singing aviaries were demolished in 2003 and replaced by the current Link Hotel. Despite spending $200,000 by the hotel in the renovation, the corner failed to regain its former glory and remains deserted, unnoticed even by the passers-by because it has lost that nostalgic vibe it once possessed years ago.


The introduction of new businesses and buildings such as Link Hotel shows how the government’s choice for economic imperative to supersede cultural preservation, have resulted in once important icons and common spaces for Tiong Bahru, like the Bird singing park and shophouses, to disappear. These changes in environment may cause residents to lose their sense of belonging. As how 74 year-old Mrs. Heng, a long-time resident of Tiong Bahru, puts it, it is the "old-fashioned" buildings and streets in Tiong Bahru that "bring back memories of the past even though the people have changed.”


So, how does the public view these changes that happen in Tiong Bahru? Some people do not like Tiong Bahru’s transformation, such as Ms Au of Tofu. She says, “I hope ... it doesn't get overly commercial or pretentious. After all, what makes this area charming is the authenticity of the old businesses and residents.” Yet there are others who are very welcoming of the change. Rodney Goh, 57, a shopkeeper of iecon says Tiong Bahru used to be an “Old Folks Town…but the younger people now add more vibrancy to the area.” This change is especially positive to shopkeepers, because the new residents increase the customer base, meaning more business and larger profits for the shops.


In conclusion, the sense of identity was strong in Tiong Bahru initially, because of the common demographic background and status of the residents that resulted in a strong sense of “kampong spirit” and the neighbourliness between them. Unique architecture also helped build strong place identity. However with the influx of newer residents who dilute community spirit and new facilities that contradict the original old charm of Tiong Bahru, its identity is slowly being eroded away.


So even though the government has put in efforts to preserve the physical landscape and intrinsic identity in Tiong Bahru, they are greatly challenged by demographic and economic changes. However, I feel that change is necessary for urban renewal to take place in Tiong Bahru. Sometimes, development has to come, inevitably, at the expense of heritage.
Furthermore, even though the original sense of identity in Tiong Bahru is undermined, I think it is perhaps merely morphing into something else that might not be entirely bad, which is a mix of old and new, young and elderly. But because Tiong Bahru is still an integral part of Singapore history, we and the government, need to work together to preserve its core identity, community and culture for the rest of generations to come.