“Foothill.” That’s what Kaki Bukit means in Malay. Today we explore this industrial area in Bedok. It’s located in the East Region of Singapore. Kaki Bukit’s history stretches back to the 1960s. It began as an extension of the Jalan Eunos Malay Settlement.
Back then Kaki Bukit was an upland area. It was filled with kampung houses. The roads had Malay names. Most residents had resettled from Kampong Glam and Bugis.
By the 1980s, things changed. The Jalan Eunos Malay Settlement was degazetted. The kampung houses came down. Residents received compensation in the form of new HDB flats in Bedok Reservoir. The old roads vanished. New roads from Bedok Reservoir were built. The hilly incline of Kaki Bukit was flattened. This flattening was for land reclamation of the East Coast area.
Today Kaki Bukit is home to many high-tech industrial companies and warehouses. Redevelopments are planned beyond 2030. The Paya Lebar Airbase will relocate to Changi. This move will free up land. It will also lift building height restrictions. These restrictions are in place for safety. Kaki Bukit is directly aligned with the airbase runway.
Kaki Bukit has limited amenities. You can find some food options at the Kaki Bukit Amenity Centre and Recreation Centre. More amenities are in nearby Bedok Reservoir or Eunos. Several dormitories house foreign workers in the area.
Once Kaki Bukit had several schools. These schools are now defunct. Hwa Ming Chinese School existed from around 1950 to 1980. Now Paya Lebar Air Base occupies that land. Kaki Bukit Primary School/Kaki Bukit English & Malay School operated from 1962 to 1984. The Acacia Welfare Home now stands there. The school’s name changed to Bedok West Primary School during its move. Later it merged into Damai Primary School in 2015. Kaki Bukit Secondary School existed from 1965 to 1984. It was located beside Jalan Eunos Service Reservoir. The school’s name changed to Bedok Town Secondary School during its move. Later it merged into Ping Yi Secondary School in 2016.
Getting around Kaki Bukit is easy. The Kaki Bukit MRT station is on the Downtown Line. During its construction, a section of Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 was closed. This closure lasted from August 2011 to April 2016. Jalan Tenaga and Jalan Damai were widened. This accommodated redirected traffic. Bus services were also diverted.
Several bus services ply Kaki Bukit Avenue 1. Bus service 137 operates within the industrial area. The Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway has an exit that leads to Kaki Bukit. The Pan Island Expressway also provides access. Bartley Road East cuts through Kaki Bukit. It is part of a semi-expressway Outer Ring Road System.
Industries thrive in Kaki Bukit. Besides high-tech companies, the automobile industry is prominent. This includes vehicle inspection, learning, and maintenance services. The Singapore Armed Forces Driving School and Comfort Delgro Driving School are here. They make learner drivers a common sight. Waterworks is another key industry. Jalan Eunos Service Reservoir supplies water to eastern Singapore. It receives water from PUB Bedok Waterworks. This plant treats water from Bedok Reservoir. The service reservoir stores and pumps treated water to eastern neighborhoods.
Kaki Bukit continues to evolve. It balances industry, residence, and essential services. It stands as a testament to Singapore’s careful planning and development.