Hougang: Introduction

11 August 2007

Abstract
Hougang District is located in the East Region; and the district comprises Hougang New Town, Kovan Estate, Tai Keng Estate, Defu Industrial Estate, Tai Seng Industrial Estate, Kim Chuan Industrial Estate and Paya Lebar Air Base.

Hougang is developed in 1979 as the 9th New Town of Singapore. It is one of the four mega towns conceived in 1979. Hougang is the first new town to introduce the Simplified 3-Room, Simplified 4-Room, Executive Maisonette and Executive Apartment flat designs.

Hougang is famous for its gigantic murals located on several blocks of flats throughout the town. Flats are also renowned for its rounded corners and curved forms.

Majority of the population are Teochews.

Politically, Hougang is an opposition party stronghold. The Workers’ Party has been elected to the Parliament for 5 terms since 1991.

Toponymics
Historically, Upper Serangoon is dominated by the Teochew. The Teochew called Upper Serangoon Road End and its vicinity "Ow Kung", which means ‘back of the port’ in Teochew. As the name implies, Hougang is located upstream or at the back of Kangkar (present day Sengkang), a fishing port along Sungei Serangoon. Fishing villages, shipyards, rubber and pepper plantations flourished in the area in the old days.

Statistics
English Name: Hougang
Chinese Name: 后港
Year of urban development: 1979
Total Area: 2,095 hectares
Neighbourhoods: 15
Population: 217,200
Region: East Region
Heritage Road Corridor: Serangoon
Postal District:
1953 (Hougang New Town, Tai Keng Estate, Defu Industrial Estate, Tai Seng Industrial Estate, Kim Chuan Industrial Estate & Paya Lebar Air Base)
1954 (Kovan Estate)

Transport
MRT:
NE13 Kovan
NE14 Hougang
CC11 Tai Seng

Expressway:
Kallang – Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE)

Bus Interchange:
Hougang Central Bus Interchange

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