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'''Tampines''' (or Tampines New Town) is the largest residential area of the [[city-state]] of [[Singapore]] and is located in the East of the main island. The town is so named because in the [[1900s]] a large [[forest]] of [[Tampines tree]]s were located at the present site.
'''Tampines''' (or [[Tampines New Town]]) is the largest residential area in the [[city-state]] of [[Singapore]] and is located in the [[East Region]] of the main island. The town is so named because in the [[1900s]] a large [[forest]] of [[Tampines tree]]s were located at the present site.


Like other new towns and neighbourhoods in Singapore, it is a densely populated district and is home to a rather diverse group of different races. It tends to be even more dense than other housing districts. It is, however, not within walking distance from the [[Central Area|Singapore's city centre]].
Like other new towns and neighbourhoods in Singapore, it is a densely populated district and is home to a rather diverse group of different races. It tends to be even more dense than other housing districts. Tampines New Town is a regional centre that lies to the east of [[Central Area|Singapore's city centre]].


==History==
The [[Building and Social Housing Foundation]] (BSHF) of the [[United Nations]] awarded the [[World Habitat Award]] to Tampines, which was selected as a representative of Singapore's [[new towns]], on [[5 October]] [[1992]].
Like much of Singapore, Tampines was once covered by [[forest]], [[plantation]]s and [[village]]s. [[Ironwood]] trees, or ''tempinis'', grew abundantly here and gave the area its name. Tampines was a [[sand]] [[quarry]]ing area, an activity which left significant tracts of land pitted and barren. The transformation of Tampines into a regional town began in the late [[1970s]], although it was not until the [[1990s]] that the new town was fully established.


New [[construction]] methods expedited the development of the town's [[infrastructure]]. Using [[prefabricated]] parts, a block of high-rise [[apartment|flats]] could be built in a month. More attractive designs, colours and finishings were also incorporated into Tampines, compared to earlier [[public housing]] which consisted of uniform slabs of [[concrete]] laid out row after row with more thought given to function than form. The [[Housing and Development Board]] (HDB) managed the construction of the town until [[1991]], when it handed the reins over to the [[Tampines Town Council]]. The Town Council is run by [[grassroot]] leaders and the residents themselves.
== Commercial services ==


The [[Building and Social Housing Foundation]] (BSHF) of the [[United Nations]] awarded the [[World Habitat Award]] to Tampines, which was selected as a representative of Singapore's [[new towns]], on [[5 October]] [[1992]]. The award was given in recognition of an outstanding contribution towards human [[settlement]] and development.

==Amenities==
[[Image:NTUC Income Building, Tampines, Singapore.JPG|thumb|200px|right|The NTUC Income building, one of several office buildings in Tampines Central]]
[[Image:NTUC Income Building, Tampines, Singapore.JPG|thumb|200px|right|The NTUC Income building, one of several office buildings in Tampines Central]]


Tampines New Town is now home to over 200,000 people living in 52,000 HDB flats spread out over 424 [[hectare]]s of land.
The urban planning policy of Singapore is to create partially self-sufficient towns, in terms of commercial needs, in order to relieve strain on traffic drawn into the city centre. Thus, an extensive array of facilities are provided primarily for residents. Tampines is also one of Singapore's three regional centres (along with [[Woodlands]] and [[Jurong East]]), under the plan of the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]], and as such, its facilities not only serve the Tampines residents themselves, but the entire [[East Region]]. To a lesser degree, it also serves other parts of Singapore.


The [[urban planning]] policy of Singapore is to create partially self-sufficient towns, in terms of [[commercial]] needs, in order to relieve strain on traffic drawn into the city centre. Thus, an extensive array of facilities are provided primarily for residents in the new towns. Tampines is one of Singapore's three regional centres (along with [[Woodlands]] and [[Jurong East]]), under the plan of the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]]. As a result, Tampines' facilities not only serve the Tampines residents but also the entire [[East Region]].
Retail [[shopping]] in Tampines is facilitated by two main [[shopping mall]]s: Tampines Mall and Century Square. These two shopping malls have recently undergone a facelift in 2005, and provide most essential needs of residents, as well as luxury products. Commercial tenants of the shopping centres include [[restaurant]]s, [[supermarket]]s, [[department store]]s, [[movie theater|cinemas]], [[bookstore]]s and [[jewelry]] shops. Tampines Regional [[Library]] is also located nearby for people who need to borrow books or look for reference books, and also organises various events for children and adults to promote reading and learning.


===Commercial services===
== Education ==
Retail [[shopping]] in Tampines is facilitated by two main [[shopping mall]]s: [[Tampines Mall]] and [[Century Square]], which underwent a facelift in [[2005]]. Commercial tenants of the shopping centres include [[restaurant]]s, [[supermarket]]s, [[department store]]s, [[movie theater|cinemas]], [[bookstore]]s and [[jewelry]] shops.

===Community services===
The [[Tampines Regional Library]] is located near the Tampines town centre, and regularly organises events for children and adults to promote reading and learning.

===Transportation===
An efficient network of [[expressway]]s, the [[Pan-Island Expressway]] and [[Tampines Expressway]], and arterial roads allows easy movement within the town and link it to other parts of the island. Public transportation is well served by the [[Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)|Mass Rapid Transit]] at [[Tampines MRT Station]] and a [[bus terminal|bus interchange]].

===Education===
Within Tampines, there are numerous government [[primary education|primary]] and [[secondary education|secondary]] [[school]]s. For higher learning, there are [[Tampines Junior College]] and [[Temasek Polytechnic]].
Within Tampines, there are numerous government [[primary education|primary]] and [[secondary education|secondary]] [[school]]s. For higher learning, there are [[Tampines Junior College]] and [[Temasek Polytechnic]].


==External links==
==Reference==
*National Heritage Board (2002), ''Singapore's 100 Historic Places'', Archipelago Press, ISBN 9814068233


==External links==
[http://www.tampinesmall.com.sg/ Tampines Mall Home Page]
*[http://www.tampinesmall.com.sg/ Tampines Mall Home Page]


{{Singapore}}
{{Singapore}}

Revision as of 05:33, 9 January 2006

For other meanings of Tampines, such as the MRT station, see Tampines (disambiguation)
Names
English: Tampines
Chinese: 淡滨尼
(Pinyin: Dànbīnní)
Malay: Tampines
Tamil: fill in

Tampines (or Tampines New Town) is the largest residential area in the city-state of Singapore and is located in the East Region of the main island. The town is so named because in the 1900s a large forest of Tampines trees were located at the present site.

Like other new towns and neighbourhoods in Singapore, it is a densely populated district and is home to a rather diverse group of different races. It tends to be even more dense than other housing districts. Tampines New Town is a regional centre that lies to the east of Singapore's city centre.

History

Like much of Singapore, Tampines was once covered by forest, plantations and villages. Ironwood trees, or tempinis, grew abundantly here and gave the area its name. Tampines was a sand quarrying area, an activity which left significant tracts of land pitted and barren. The transformation of Tampines into a regional town began in the late 1970s, although it was not until the 1990s that the new town was fully established.

New construction methods expedited the development of the town's infrastructure. Using prefabricated parts, a block of high-rise flats could be built in a month. More attractive designs, colours and finishings were also incorporated into Tampines, compared to earlier public housing which consisted of uniform slabs of concrete laid out row after row with more thought given to function than form. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) managed the construction of the town until 1991, when it handed the reins over to the Tampines Town Council. The Town Council is run by grassroot leaders and the residents themselves.

The Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF) of the United Nations awarded the World Habitat Award to Tampines, which was selected as a representative of Singapore's new towns, on 5 October 1992. The award was given in recognition of an outstanding contribution towards human settlement and development.

Amenities

The NTUC Income building, one of several office buildings in Tampines Central

Tampines New Town is now home to over 200,000 people living in 52,000 HDB flats spread out over 424 hectares of land.

The urban planning policy of Singapore is to create partially self-sufficient towns, in terms of commercial needs, in order to relieve strain on traffic drawn into the city centre. Thus, an extensive array of facilities are provided primarily for residents in the new towns. Tampines is one of Singapore's three regional centres (along with Woodlands and Jurong East), under the plan of the Urban Redevelopment Authority. As a result, Tampines' facilities not only serve the Tampines residents but also the entire East Region.

Commercial services

Retail shopping in Tampines is facilitated by two main shopping malls: Tampines Mall and Century Square, which underwent a facelift in 2005. Commercial tenants of the shopping centres include restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, cinemas, bookstores and jewelry shops.

Community services

The Tampines Regional Library is located near the Tampines town centre, and regularly organises events for children and adults to promote reading and learning.

Transportation

An efficient network of expressways, the Pan-Island Expressway and Tampines Expressway, and arterial roads allows easy movement within the town and link it to other parts of the island. Public transportation is well served by the Mass Rapid Transit at Tampines MRT Station and a bus interchange.

Education

Within Tampines, there are numerous government primary and secondary schools. For higher learning, there are Tampines Junior College and Temasek Polytechnic.

Reference

  • National Heritage Board (2002), Singapore's 100 Historic Places, Archipelago Press, ISBN 9814068233

External links

Template:Singapore