PORTRAIT OF
Punggol A visual essay for the documentation of the present Punggol, for Glasgow School of Art, Singapore, with the course Design Domain.
Background Punggol is located in the northeast region of Singapore. Punggol is a Malay word, which literally means “hurling sticks (a method) at the branches of fruit trees to bring them down to the ground”. It was referred to “a place where fruits and forest produced are offered wholesale.” This indicates that Punggol was a renowned fruit-growing zone as it was once a rural district cluttered with kampong and fishing villages. Fishing was then the main activity. It was originally filled with the Malay community at Kampong Punggol, which was located in the vicinity of the Punggol Jetty. Later, the Chinese immigrants settled from the mid 19th-century and engaged in plantation works and poultry rearing. It was historically majority of the Teochews and Catholics. Unfortunately, during the World War II in 1942, the Chinese civilians were massacred at the Punggol beach by the Japanese military forces. It was known to be the Punggol Beach Massacre and part of the Sook Ching Massacre. Today, Punggol Beach has been marked as a national heritage site.
Present Punggol Promenade is a designed rustic coastal area for the purpose of recreational activities. The area of the visual study will revolve around the stretch of the Punggol Promenade - from the Punggol Point to the Punggol East. It is a 4.9km path that is divided into three segments: Point Walk, Nature Walk and Riverside Walk. ‘Space’ is a sheer physical terrain. It is an area as measured with a quantified unit. Therefore, as the 4.9km promenade is segregated into three parts, there are different activities and purposes of these portions. The three different colours indicated on the map show the zoning of the three segments - Point Walk (red), Nature Walk (Yellow) and Riverside Walk (green).
Punggol Promenade
It is a waterfront landscape insertion within the urban that allows the visitors to dwell in a poetic intertwining shifting planes of time and space. It evokes the memories of the past through the signifiers and fuse of reality with the refamiliarization to interpret new meanings and significance.
Jetty Park
is the starting point of the promenade,
located at the end of the Punggol Road. It is accessible via public transport, bus 82, from Punggol Bus Interchange. Other form of transports are able to access the area. The promenade is inserted with a welcoming entrance of the lily ponds with numerous harmless tortoises. The park also features the viewing deck, washrooms, children’s playground, event plaza and public car park.
The Punggol Ranch is a horse-
riding centre right beside the Jetty Park. Within it has quite a number of facilities and services such as chalets, restaurants, horse riding facilities and campfire ground.
Point Walk The Point Walk stretches 1.2km along the Park Connector. It was once and still is a popular spot for seafood haunt that is located beside the Punggol Jetty Park. It has a range of activities and usages available in place for the public use. It features the panoramic views of the Johor Straits and Pulau Ubin can be spotted.
Viewing Deck
with two levels are located at the
end of the road. On the lower deck is a police station to facilitate the incoming and outgoing boats. A beach open to the public, visitors can sit by or have a picnic to enjoy the serenity of the sea waves. Kids can also run around freely and enjoyably in the nature. Fishing is allowed here.
Viewing Deck on the upper deck: visitors are greeted with the panoramic views of Johor straits waterfront and the chilly sea breeze. It is also one of the best locations to enjoy the the sun setting. The experience for the users then becomes so comfortable and immersive.
Event Plaza
follows the path
towards the Nature Walk; an area of open seating area for the public. It is a supplementary viewing platform apart from the viewing deck. Multiple activities can be held there. The cycling path is separated from the space to prevent avoidable accidents.
Throughout the stretch, the tracks are applied with sustainable materials for its environmental friendly development such as the GRC Simulated Timber for the broadwalks. In addition, Leterite is used for the cycling tracks to reminisce the rubber plantations in the past.
The Settlement is a food and beverage specialized development to revive the past Punggol and to bring back the former glory. Diners get to enjoy the sea view and breeze while dining at the second level restaurants. It is also one of the places for a happening night time for the restaurants as it is located out of the buzzling city area.
Nature Walk The Nature Walk is part of the park connector
that
stretches
2.4km
from the Punggol Point Walk to the Riverside Walk. There are several fishing platforms for fishing lovers. Stroll along the nature, one can discover rare species of plants and interesting wildlife. It also features the panoramic view of the sea / reservoir with the lush greenery surroundings.
Rest Shelter design is iconic along Punggol Promenade as it is nature-inspired and was modelled after the whorls on Screw Shells. The design is mimicking the protective characteristics of the shell of the mollusk, which identically provides a shelter for the human from the elements. There are three of such designed shelters along the open 2.4km of the Nature Walk.
Alongside the nature of the main island, visitors can receive the complement views of the Coney Island at the opposite side. Featuring the tree branches gives a subtle ambience and secrecy.
RIVERSIDE WALK
Riverside Walk It stretches 1.3km and ends at the Punggol East. It is envisioned to be lively for leisure strolls along the water’s edge. One is able to stroll alongside the Serangoon Reservoir with fishing and viewing amenities of the nature. It is accessible by the public via Punggol East LRT, Riviera stop.
is elevated and accessible via the sunrise bridges on
Viewing Deck
the left and right that are connected along the Punggol Waterway. It is viewed as the meeting point of linking the two reservoirs.
The Eco Drainage ensures the water remains clean and fresh along the waterway. It filters surface run-off before the water from the reservoir goes into the waterway. The aerators are also installed to ensure water quality by increasing the amount of oxygen entering the water to prevent algae bloom.
Lorong Halus Bridge
access to the Lorong
Halus Wetland that collects and treats rainwater before it reaches the Serangoon Reservoir. Cyclists are not allowed on to maintain the stability of the bridge. In addition, it is suppose to allow the visitors to enjoy the stroll with the nature while crossing from one island to another.
Moat
refers to the fibre optic lights that have been
installed along the tall grass. It is inspired by the wind blowing of Lalang Grass. These lights move dynamically with the breeze and they are a distinctive feature that lights up the river border at night. Alongside the lights, the visitors can enjoy the beauty at the unsheltered benches while overlooking the Serangoon Reservoir. There are also coiling bicycle parking points below the trees.
Fitness Stations are
provided for the users at this point probably because of its easy accessibility by foot from the housing estates. Right beside the park, along the Tebing Lane, is the Punggol Recreation Complex that consists of a few activities and services, such as prawning, fishing, restaurant, gardening etc.
Similarly to the Point Walk and Nature Walk, the walking and cycling paths are separated and connected at some point of the stretch. The materials used are also identical to the ones mentioned earlier at the Point Walk Path. Along the route, one can view the Serangoon Reservoir and Lorong Halus at the border. Uncommon plants can also be spotted along the edge.
End.
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