Perhaps, the very name Hougang offers a clue. The name “Hougang” is the romanised Mandarin name for “Au Kang”. It is a Fujian and Chaozhou term meaning “the end of the river”. The name refers to an area stretching from the fifth-milestone junction of Yio Chu Kang and Upper Serangoon roads. It goes to the seventh milestone junction where Upper Serangoon Road meets Tampines Road.
Hougang’s story is one of transformation. It evolved from forested land with pig farms to Singapore’s largest public housing estate. As of 2015, Hougang New Town consisted of over 51000 housing units. In 1979, plans were made to build a 460-hectare new town in the Hougang area to house 120000 people. Originally known as Hou Kang, it was renamed Hougang the following year. This was in support of the government’s Speak Mandarin Campaign.
Residents of Hougang were among the first to experience a revised precinct concept. This concept was designed to foster greater interaction among residents. A key feature was clustering shops around a focal point. This replaced scattering them across the estate. Development began with 12000 housing units. These units were built along Upper Serangoon Road and Upper Paya Lebar Road. Hougang New Town had three neighbourhoods. One had 2000 homes around a town centre. Another extended to the existing Punggol estate. The third comprised maisonettes blending with private developments at Charlton Park estate. The two-storey five-room maisonettes in Hougang were the first of their kind built by the HDB.
Hougang’s public housing units were designed with shapely curves. This gave each new town in Singapore a unique character. Two blocks along Hougang Avenue 2 had rounded balconies and railings. The town’s swimming complex at Hougang Avenue 10 had rounded columns. A block of HUDC mansionettes at Hougang Avenue 2 featured Spanish-style architecture. This included an arched balcony and semicircular doorway in the courtyard. A rainbow mural splashed across a 10-storey block of three-room flats. This also distinguished Hougang New Town.
Hougang’s original town centre was designed in a colonial-themed style. It was reminiscent of prewar bungalows and country cottages. In 1984, a McDonald’s outlet opened. Hougang became the first public housing estate in Singapore with a fast-food restaurant. The town was also the first estate to have a bowling centre. Opened in 1986 at Hougang Avenue 1, Striker’s Bowl cost S$4 million. It boasted a 26-lane gallery and state-of-the-art automatic scoring system. In 1983, the HDB completed its largest supermarket-emporium. Located at Block 205, Hougang Street 21, it covered 7056 sq m. In 1998, the town centre was revamped and renamed Kovan City.
In 1987, another town centre was built in Hougang Central. Its landmark feature was a pair of blocks with stepped pitched roofs. This was a nod to the area’s rural past. In 1993, Hougang Plaza opened as the first all-entertainment complex in an HDB estate. Located at the junction of Hougang Avenue 10 and Upper Serangoon Road, it housed a bowling alley and a cineplex.
The story of Hougang is one of constant change and growth. This former “end of the river” is a vibrant residential town. It continues to evolve while holding onto its unique identity.