Nava Grove is in the Ulu Pandan area, bounded by Ulu Pandan and Pine Grove Road. Today, let’s learn the history of Ulu Pandan, where Nava Grove condo is located. Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s central region, Ulu Pandan stands as a testament to the city-state’s rapid evolution from a colonial outpost to a modern metropolis. This subzone within the Bukit Timah planning area, bounded by Ulu Pandan Road and Holland Road in the north, Ulu Pandan River in the south, and North Buona Vista Road in the east, has witnessed dramatic changes over the past century.
The name “Ulu Pandan” is steeped in the area’s geographical and natural history. “Ulu,” meaning “upstream” in Malay, refers to the area’s position relative to the Pandan River. The “Pandan” in its name comes from the wild screwpine trees that once proliferated along the riverbanks. In its earliest days, Ulu Pandan was primarily a swampland, home to a small community of Malay fishermen who made their living by fishing for prawns and crabs in the river.
These early inhabitants also cultivated coconuts, bananas, and other tropical fruits. The arrival of Javanese immigrants, who reached the area by boat and settled alongside the Malays, added to the diversity of this fledgling settlement.
The dawn of the 20th century brought new settlers and economic activities to Ulu Pandan. Among the early Chinese immigrants were Hokkiens from Anxi County in Fujian, China. These enterprising settlers recognized the land’s potential and cultivated various crops, including durians and rambutans. However, it was the cultivation of rubber trees that would transform the economic landscape of Ulu Pandan.
The establishment of Ulu Pandan (Singapore) Rubber Estates Limited in April 1909 marked a significant milestone in the area’s development. Led by Chinese businessman Lee Choon Guan, this company quickly became a major rubber producer in the region. In its first year of operation in 1910, the company produced about 450 pounds of rubber a month from approximately 9,000 trees. By 1923, this output had skyrocketed to almost 9,000 pounds per month, demonstrating the rapid growth of the rubber industry in Ulu Pandan.
The rubber plantations not only changed the physical landscape but also the social fabric of Ulu Pandan. The company provided onsite housing for its workforce, which in 1910 comprised around 200 coolies, mostly of Javanese origin. This influx of workers contributed to the area’s growing diversity and laid the foundation for the multicultural community that would develop in later years.
The mid-20th century brought new changes to Ulu Pandan. In 1957, a significant decision was made by the Legislative Assembly to convert 1,000 acres of mangroves in the Ulu Pandan nature reserve into prawn ponds. This move, spearheaded by then Minister for Commerce and Industry J. M. Jumabhoy, aimed to increase food production. By 1960, the government had awarded 120 acres of the former mangroves to four companies for development into prawn ponds, projected to yield approximately 40 tons of prawns annually.
The strategic location of Ulu Pandan made it an ideal site for military installations, a role that would significantly shape the area’s development in the mid-20th century. In April 1949, following the establishment of the Singapore Gurkha Contingent, a unit was stationed in a camp along North Buona Vista Road in Ulu Pandan. By 1950, the camp had become home to approximately 120 Gurkha families. The military presence expanded further in 1957 with the construction of a temporary camp for Singapore’s first regular army unit, the 1st Singapore Infantry Regiment (1 SIR), followed by the official opening of Camp Temasek in August 1963.
The Ulu Pandan River has been crucial in shaping the district’s development, particularly in flood management. As Singapore rapidly urbanized in the post-war years, several infrastructure projects were undertaken to mitigate flood risks. In 1959, a drain was constructed from North Buona Vista Road to the Ulu Pandan River to divert floodwater. This was followed by more extensive works in 1963 and 1965, expanding the drainage system to channel flood water out of Queenstown and the Upper Bukit Timah catchment area.
One of the most significant flood management projects came in 1968 when the Public Works Department constructed two tunnels under the Ulu Pandan Military Camp, connecting the Ulu Pandan River with the Bukit Timah Canal. This S$6.8-million project significantly reduced flooding incidents in surrounding areas. The transformation of the Ulu Pandan River continued into the late 1970s when it was concrete-lined and widened to accommodate rapid land development.
As Singapore’s economy modernized and its population grew, Ulu Pandan began transforming into the affluent residential area we know today. The 1970s marked the beginning of this shift, with the development of some of Singapore’s first condominiums in the area. In 1973, the Ridgewood Housing estate was announced, featuring a mix of housing types, including townhouses and high-rise apartments. Another landmark development, Pandan Valley, was launched by the Development Bank of Singapore in 1977 and comprised approximately 600 units with integrated facilities.
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Ulu Pandan’s administrative boundaries and political representation have also evolved over the years. Until 1997, it was a single-member constituency before becoming part of the current Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
The evolution of Ulu Pandan is also reflected in its street names. Many streets were originally named after female Malay costumes, but in 1968, most of these names were changed because residents found them difficult to remember and pronounce. The new street names adopted the Mount Sinai theme, chosen to reflect the area’s hilly terrain. Interestingly, Jalan Kebaya remains the sole street in Ulu Pandan that still bears the name of a Malay costume.
Today, Ulu Pandan is one of Singapore’s most desirable residential areas, characterized by a mix of luxury condominiums, such as Nava Grove, and landed properties. Its transformation from a rural backwater to an upscale urban district encapsulates Singapore’s broader journey of modernization and development. The area continues to evolve, with new developments and infrastructure projects regularly reshaping its landscape.
The Ulu Pandan River, once a lifeline for fishermen and later a key component of flood management systems, now serves as a recreational space, with park connectors and green spaces along its banks. Ulu Pandan’s strategic location, nestled between the bustling city centre and the verdant Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, makes it a highly sought-after address.
As Singapore grows and changes, Ulu Pandan remains a microcosm of the nation’s past, present, and future. From its humble beginnings as a swampland to its current status as a prime residential district, Ulu Pandan’s journey reflects the broader narrative of Singapore’s remarkable transformation. The area’s rich history, diverse cultural influences, and continuous development make it a desirable place to live and a fascinating case study in urban evolution.
