Here at Lake Pandan, the air is thick with untold stories. Have you ever wondered how this serene reservoir came to be?
Lake Pandan wasn’t always here. It began as a mangrove swamp. This swamp bordered the banks of Sungei Pandan.
In 1970, the area was reclaimed. This transformation paved the way for housing development projects. The JTC Corporation spearheaded these projects.
The name Pandan originates from Kampong Sungei Pandan. This was a former Malay village in the area.
Construction started after 1975. The land needed time to settle. It was previously mangrove swampland.
The JTC Corporation built public housing. This provided homes for workers’ families. These workers were from the nearby Jurong Industrial Estate. Overcrowding was a problem in Taman Jurong. This estate was also built by JTC in 1969.
The first housing block finished around 1978. Blocks 401 to 416 were built in sequence. Blocks 415 and 416 are four-storey shophouses. Today, Pandan Gardens and Teban Gardens are satellite towns. They support the Jurong East New Town.
Pandan Gardens sits at the edge of Jurong Industrial Estate. It is a crossroad from Singapore’s city center. It also connects to industrial estates in Jurong, Tuas and Jurong Island.
The area had a swimming complex. It opened in 1979. Sadly, it closed in 2003 because usage declined. The site is now PeopleUp@Pandan. It is an enrichment complex for families with children. There are plans for an Olympic-sized ice rink. Construction should start in March 2025. It should finish by the end of 2026.
Facing Lake Pandan are Pandan Gardens and Teban Gardens. They lie along West Coast Road. Penjuru Road and Jalan Buroh also flank the area.
Lake Pandan provides non-potable water. This water goes to surrounding industrial areas. Jurong Industrial Estate benefits from this. The Public Utilities Board manages the reservoir.
The Singapore Rowing Association calls this lake home. Their boathouse is along Jalan Buroh.
The Ulu Pandan area has a history. Ulu means upstream in Malay. Pandan refers to the wild screwpine trees. These once grew along the riverbanks.
In 1957, mangroves were converted into prawn ponds. This aimed to increase food production.
In 1968, the Public Works Department built tunnels. These tunnels connected the Ulu Pandan River. They linked with the Bukit Timah Canal. This reduced flooding in nearby areas.
Today, Lake Pandan is more than a reservoir. It’s a place where nature and industry meet. It is a testament to Singapore’s transformation.