- Kallang
englishname=Kallang
chinesename=加冷
poj=
pengim=
pinyin=Jiālěng
malayname=Kallang
tamilname=காலாங்Kallang is an urban planning area and a subdivision located in the southeastern part of
Singapore .It is probably most well-known for being the location of the Singapore Indoor Stadium & the old National Stadium, as well as the new Singapore Sports Hub.Etymology
"Kallang" is an old Malay reference to the "orang laut" (sea Gypsies), called "orang biduanda kallang", who lived in the vicinity of the
Kallang River andSingapore River . At the time of Raffles' landing in Singapore in 1819, there were about 500 "orang biduanda kallang". In 1824, theTemenggung moved the "orang kallang" to thePulai River inJohor . They consisted of about 100 families, but in 1847 most of them died of asmallpox epidemic. By 1848, the "orang kallang" were virtually extinct.There are other possible meanings for this particular place name. "Kallang" may also be a corruption of the Malay word "kelang", meaning "mill" or factory". There were
saw mill s andrice mill s here. Another explanation for the origin of "Kallang" is that it is derived from "galang", which means "to put a boat on wooden stocks or rollers", an appropriate term as the Kallang area straddles both sides of theKallang River .Geography and landmarks
Kallang is often known commonly as "Kallang Basin". The area is drained by the Kallang, Geylang, Rochor and Whampoa rivers, and
Pelton Canal . The area ranges fromKolam Ayer in the north toTanjong Rhu in the south,Rochor in the west toGeylang in the east. TheKallang River , the longest river in Singapore, meanders through the area, and is a popular waterway for water sports.Kallang is home to many light industrial estates, such as pipe makers, garment factories. Many heavy industry factories have been relocated away from the area, in order to promote residential use. Offices are often situated in Kallang for companies unwilling to pay for the high rent in the nearby Central Area, Singapore's central business district west of Kallang.
The housing estates, constructed by the
Housing Development Board (HDB) in Kallang were built in the 1970s and 1980s. Some blocks are planned to be reconstructed under theSelective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) to redevelop the area, whose demographics are dominated by the middle-aged. New blocks which are 30 stories high are now prominent in the skyline of the area, with more being planned to be built under the new HDB construction policy. A notable major redevelopment is underway in the Old Airport estate, where many of the low-rise blocks have been demolished.The Singapore National Stadium is located at Kallang, which is the venue of many sports events, and which features the
National Day Parade almost every year. It was officially closed on30 June 2007 , and will be demolished to make way for theSingapore Sports Hub which is expected to be ready in 2011.The Kallang Cricket Ground is another sporting venue located in the district, and has played host to several
One Day International cricket matches. In more recent times however, it is mainly used to host domestic competitions, and minor international matches, such as those between Singapore and Malaysia.One
landmark in Kallang was the large blue tubular container that marked the location of the Kallang Gasworks. It was completed in 1862, when the piped gas supply was turned on in Singapore. It ceased production in 1997, and Senoko Gasworks took over providing gas. The place has been marked as a historic site by theNational Heritage Board . Only Gasholder No. 3, with its structuralcolumn s, has been preserved. Sharon Seow, "Exploring Jalan Besar", "Voices@Central Singapore" Issue No. 35, Jul/Aug 2007.] cite web |url= http://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/Speeches/speeches_2006_MOS_25092006.htm|title= Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Minister of State for National Development, at the 2006 URA Architectural Heritage Awards Presentation Ceremony|accessdate=2006-09-25 |format= |work= ]Jurisdiction
Kallang is under the
Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency , which operates the local town council responsible for the general maintenance of the area.Transportation
As it is in proximity to the Central Area, many transportation services pass through Kallang, and public bus services are abundant, integrating it into Singapore's transport system.
Rail service
Kalling is served by a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station at
Kallang MRT Station , and is within the vicinity of theBoon Keng MRT Station .A new MRT station at the National Stadium, named
Stadium MRT Station , is slated to open in 2010.Air travel
Kallang was home to Singapore's first
airport , opened on the12 June 1937 by Sir Shenton Thomas, the then Governor of Singapore. The airport had the advantages of combined facilities for both land and marine aircraft. Due to an increase in demand it was replaced by theSingapore International Airport inPaya Lebar and closed during the mid 1950s. The airport control building was eventually converted into thePeople's Association of Singapore HQ on the 1st of July 1960 and the surrounding area has since been redeveloped.References
*Victor R Savage, Brenda S A Yeoh (2003), "Toponymics - A Study of Singapore Street Names", Eastern Universities Press, ISBN 981-210-205-1
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