Kallang and Whampoa HDB Town, which is situated in the south-eastern section of the island, is home to around 98,050 HDB inhabitants and 40,169 HDB apartments. This gives it an average household size of 2.44, which is significantly lower than the national average household size of 3.11.
The demographic profile of Kallang and Whampoa reflects a unique blend of history and modernity. While the area has a significant population of elderly residents who have lived there since its early days, it is also witnessing a surge in younger families attracted by new housing developments. This duality creates a vibrant community where traditional values meet contemporary lifestyles, offering a diverse living experience for its residents.
In addition to a number of new HDB BTO projects that are anticipated to attract young couples, these statistics can mostly be attributable to the significant number of senior people who have been dwelling in the area from the township's early days.
The Lower Peirce Reservoir is the starting point for the Kallang River, which is the longest river in Singapore. It flows all the way down to the Kallang Basin. It is thought that the name originated from the indigenous people of the region, known as the Biduanda Orang Kallang, who lived in the region during the 1500s and lived on boats in the wetlands that were located at the mouth of the river. On the other hand, there are arguments that support the idea that it was the location where Sir Stamford Raffles made his initial arrival in the year 1819. Over the course of several decades, up until the 1960s, the Kallang River was awash with sampans and cargo boats that transported both people and goods for the purposes of work and transportation.
Today, the Kallang River serves not only as a historical landmark but also as a recreational hub for residents and visitors alike. The riverbanks have been transformed into scenic pathways and parks, encouraging outdoor activities such as jogging, cycling, and picnicking. These developments have enhanced the quality of life in the area, making it a popular spot for community gatherings and leisure activities.
Given that the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) was the organization responsible for the original construction of the Kallang housing estate in 1959, it is considered to be one of the oldest housing estates in Singapore. A number of "historic sites" that have been officially designated by the National Heritage Board (NHB) can be found in this area. Some examples of these sites include the Central Sikh Temple, which is located along Towner Road; the former Kallang Gasworks, which is located along Kallang Road; the old Kallang Airport, which is located along Stadium link; and the Merdeka Bridge, which is located along Nicoll Highway.
The preservation of these historic sites has become a focal point for the community, reflecting a deep respect for the past while embracing future growth. Local initiatives often involve educational tours and cultural events that celebrate the rich history of Kallang. These efforts not only promote heritage conservation but also foster a sense of pride and identity among residents.
As a result of the revitalization and improvements that have been made to the town over the course of the past two decades, it has become an extremely desirable place for locals to live, work, and play. The traditional attractions of hawker fare meals and small enterprises that are still ensconced within the estate make it a vibrant destination for people of all ages, despite the fact that these modernization initiatives are being carried out.
If Tanjong Pagar is believed to be a natural home for large multinational corporations (MNCs), then Kallang is most likely to be considered to be the home of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Residents have access to a large number of employment options in close proximity to their houses as a result of the presence of four Business 1 (Industrial) clusters. These clusters are Kallang Basin Industrial Park, Geylang Bahru Industrial Estate, Kallang Bahru Industrial Estate, and Kallang Basin Industrial Estate.
The strategic location of Kallang and its robust infrastructure make it an attractive site for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The area's industrial clusters provide a supportive ecosystem for startups, offering resources and networking opportunities that are crucial for business growth. This dynamic business environment not only contributes to the local economy but also creates a diverse job market for residents.
In addition, because of its location on the outskirts of the city and its close proximity to well-known tourist destinations like the Marina Bay district, Little India, and Chinatown, there are a great deal of job opportunities available in the retail and hotel industries. This ever-expanding list of hotels located in Kallang was augmented with the addition of the Hotel Boss in the year 2015. The public plaza and the seaside promenade along Rochor Canal are both incorporated into this development, which is a distinctive characteristics of the project.
On top of that, the Singapore Sports Hub is another significant employer in the city. The Singapore Sport Institute is responsible for the employment of a wide range of sports professionals, in addition to the employment opportunities that are accessible through the huge retail space. In light of the fact that Kallang is undergoing a transformation to become the Sports Hub of the nation, this brings a new facet to the employment prospects that are now available in Singapore.
A Kallang Alive Masterplan was stated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first speech at the National Day Rally 2024. This plan is supported by the sporting facilities that are located in Kallang. The construction of a larger indoor stadium with a capacity of 18,000 is planned in order to attract additional high-level events. For the purpose of providing support to Team Singapore athletes, new facilities for sports science and sports medicine will also be constructed. Additionally, the Singapore Sports School will be moved from Woodlands to the Sports Hub in the process of relocation.
The Kallang Alive Masterplan represents a bold vision for the future of sports and recreation in Singapore. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, the plan aims to position Kallang as a premier destination for international sporting events. This initiative not only enhances the town's global reputation but also encourages local participation in sports, promoting a healthier lifestyle among residents.
Due to the great accessibility to a number of MRT lines, including the North-East Line (NEL), the East-West Line (EWL), the Circle Line (CCL), and the most recent addition, the Downtown Line (DTL), traveling by public transportation is quite convenient both inside Kallang and to other areas of the island. The town is currently home to nine rail stations that are connected to these four lines. These stations are dispersed across the town, making it possible for all groups to reach a train station within ten minutes.
Furthermore, the opening of the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) has further increased access to the eastern and northern areas of the island than it was previously.
Additionally, there is excellent news for citizens who are drivers of motor vehicles. Due to the fact that the Kallang – Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) is connected to both the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) and the East Coast Parkway (ECP), the journey to the east can be completed in less than twenty kilometers or approximately thirty minutes if the roads are clear. In the same vein, the route to the West can be accomplished by connecting from the KPE to either the PIE or the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). This will allow the journey to Jurong East to be completed in less than twenty kilometers or thirty minutes if the roads are under clear circumstances. In conclusion, motorists who are traveling to the central portions of the island as well as the northern parts of the island are now able to go through the Central Expressway (CTE).
Accessibility is the most significant asset that this town possesses, as it is located in close proximity to expressways and has train stations that span five different lines.
There are more than 40,169 HDB flats in the Kallang/Whampoa New Town, and it is anticipated that the ultimate aim will be somewhere around 67,000 households. As a result, it is possible that the town is just two-thirds of the way completed, and we may anticipate that Kallang will have a great deal more housing possibilities in the years to come.
Over the course of the last decade, the Kallang/Whampoa estate has been the site of a total of seventeen HDB BTO projects, which have resulted in the production of about 7,593 HDB flats. Given the high demand for housing in the vicinity of the city center, both first-time buyers and people looking to upgrade have been less than enthusiastic about the supply of new apartments. One further thing to take into consideration is that none of the newly released hotels offered a five-room option. Because of this, the availability of apartments with five rooms or larger apartment sizes is quite limited in this elderly town.
New BTO launches in Kallang Whampoa have, for the most part, been elevated to the status of Prime Flats. This means that they come with additional restrictions, such as a longer MOP, a BTO income ceiling placed on resale flats, and higher subsidy recovery upon sale, among other restrictions. These restrictions are put in place to ensure that prices remain affordable in prime locations.
