Community Centre Dossier

COMMUNITY CENTRE A comparative study of different community centres

noun plural noun: community centres a place where people from a particular neighbourhood can meet for social events, education classes, or recreational activities.

Selected community centres

SITE VISITS Playing a prominent role in the development of Singapore, there are currently 108 community centres littered all over island-wide.

Each community centre / club is unique, catered to the needs of the residents living around the area.

Visitations to various community centres around Singapore allow insights on effective aspects of largely utilised community centres, which can be implemented in the Tiong Bahru context. Community centres are chosen based on the estimated proximity from the MRT station in relation to the Tiong Bahru site context.

Clementi Community Centre

Senja - Cashew Community Club

Canberra Community Club

Chong Pang Community Club

Yio Chu Kang Community Club

Toa Payoh Central Community Club

Tiong Bahru Community Centre

Tampines West Community Club

APPROACH Through naturalistic observation, some community centres are largely used by the residents in the community while others are obsolete and unutilized. Grouping the community centres into 2 categories, aspects that does well in encouraging residents to use the community centres can be taken into consideration to revitalize the Tiong Bahru Community Centre.

Which category a community centre falls under is determined by the number of people present in the community centre, in relation to its popular time. For example, if there are only 20 people in the community centre during its peak period, then the community centre falls under the group ‘obsolete’.

BUSY

OBSOLETE

Chong Pang Community Club

Clementi Community Centre

Tampines West Community Club

Yio Chu Kang Community Club

CLEMENTI COMMUNITY CENTRE

DEMOGRAPHICS OF RESIDENTS

0-9

10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79

80+

Age Groups (years)

CLEMENTI COMMUNITY CENTRE The Clementi Community Centre is quaint and largely unused by the residents around. On average, the community centre is usually not busy. The only people observed using the space were school children and seniors.

This might be due to these reasons: -Demographics suggests a higher rate of adults aged 30-50 years with predominantly higher purchasing power. They can go for more privatized institutions.

-Lack of amenities around the site compared to Clementi Mall.

Residents choose to congregate there instead.

-Site is not easily accessible and is hidden.

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1

5

2 3

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4

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1

Clementi Town Secondary School

2

Clementi Primary School

3

Clementi Mall

4

Clementi 448 Market

5

Pei Tong Primary School

6

Orange Valley Nursing Home

7

Clementi Ave 2 Shopping Centre

8

Clementi Ave 2 Market & Food Centre

LAYOUT PLANS OF COMMUNITY CENTRE

Level 1

1

9

2

10

3

7

11

4

5

6

10

3

4

1. Seminar Room 2. Activity Room 3. Senior Citizen Room 4. Training Room 5. Karoke 6. Commitee Room 7. Office 8. Basketball Court 9. Multipurpose Hall 10. Reading Corner 11. Open Courtyard

Level 2

2

1

8

9

5

8 6

7

1. Music Room 2. Activity Room 1 3. DAS Office 4. Homecraft Classroom 5. Activity Room 6. Dance Studio 7. Conference Room 8. Activity Room 2 9. Activity Room 3 10. Health Fitness

Level 3

3

1

2

1. Covered Playground 2. Open Playground 3. Kindergarden 3 4. Kindergarden 2 5. Kindergarden 1 6. Activity Terrace

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5 6

AREAS WITH ACTIVITY (Noted on Thursday, 4pm)

Location: Level 1 8. Basketball Court Demographics: Age 10-19 (2pax)

Location: Level 1 10. Reading Corner Demographics: Age 50-59 (2pax) Age 70-79 (3pax)

Location: Level 1 7. Office Demographics: Age 50-59 (2pax)

Location: Level 3 6. Activity Terrace Demographics: Age 10-19 (4pax)

POPULAR TIMES

Monday 9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

The median number of people using the space can be measured at 4pm on Thursdays. On Thursday at 4pm, there are only a total of 13 people using the space. This means that the peak period of the community centre is still not busy compared to others.

Through these observations and research, we can conclude that the Clementi Community Centre is obsolete as it is largely unused by its residents. Spaces frequently used: reading corner and cash withdrawal facilities.

CHONG PANG COMMUNITY CLUB

DEMOGRAPHICS

0-9

10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79

80+

Age Groups (years)

CHONG PANG COMMUNITY CLUB The Chong Pang Community Club is busy and largely used by the residents around. On average, the community club is usually busy.

The people observed using the space were of all age groups.

This might be due to these reasons: -Demographics suggests a higher rate of adults and elderly aged 50-70 years with predominantly lower purchasing power. They use the community club as a place to interact and take up courses.

-A lot of activities happening around the site, which means many residents congregate there.

-Site is easily accessible along the main roads and is convenient.

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3

5

4

1

Chong Pang Wet Market

2

Chong Pang City

3

Yishun Secondary School

4

Jie Min Primary School

5

Nee Soon Central Community Park

6

Northpoint City

7

Yishun Town Secondary School

8

Yishun Primary School

LAYOUT PLANS OF COMMUNITY CENTRE

1

2

Level 1

3 6

5

4

1. Fast Food Restaurant 2. Activity Room 1 3. Day-care Room 4. Office 5. Courtyard 6. Multipurpose Hall

Level 2

1

2

3

4

5

6 7 8

9

1. Youth Group Room 2. Sports Club Room 3. Lobby 4. Study Room 5. E Club Room 6. Homecraft Room 7. Social Dance Room 8. Activity Room 2 9. Reading Corner

Level 3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 8

10

9

1. Auditorium 2. Activity Room 3 3. Computer Room 4. Lobby 5. Music Room 6. Karoke Room 7. Activity Room 4 8. Dance Studio 9. Conference Room 10. Guest Room

AREAS WITH ACTIVITY (Noted on Thursday, 4pm)

Location: Level 1 5. Courtyard Demographics: Age 0-9 (4pax) Age 30-39 (3pax) Age 40-49 (2pax) Age 50-59 (1pax)

Location: Level 2 9. Reading Corner Demographics: Age 10-19 (1pax) Age 20-29 (2pax) Age 60-69 (2pax)

Location: Level 2 3. Lobby Demographics: Age 40-49 (2pax)

Location: Level 3 8. Dance Studio Demographics: Age 20-29 (13pax)

POPULAR TIMES

Monday 9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

The median number of people using the space can be measured at 4pm on Thursdays. On Thursday at 4pm, there are only a total of 36 people using the space. This means that the peak period of the community club is extremely busy.

Through these observations and research, we can conclude that the Chong Pang Community Club is a successful gathering place for residents. Spaces frequently used: reading corner, courtyard, fast food restaurant.

YIO CHU KANG COMMUNITY CLUB

DEMOGRAPHICS

0-9

10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79

80+

Age Groups (years)

YIO CHU KANG COMMUNITY CLUB The Yio Chu Kang Community Club is generally used by the residents. On average, the community club is not especially busy.

The people using the space were mostly adults and elderly who have retired.

This might be due to these reasons: -Demographics suggests a higher rate of adults and elderly aged 50-70 years with predominantly lower purchasing power. They use the community club as a place to interact and enroll in courses.

-The site is situated in a populated area (beside Ang Mo Kio 628 Market) with limited alternative options for specific amenities.

-Youngsters are spoilt for choice with sports facilities located nearby.

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3 5 4

1

Thye Hua Kuan Hospital

2

Presbyterian High School

3

Ang Mo Kio 628 Market

4

Yio Chu Kang Secondary School

5

Anderson Serangoon Junior College

6

Yio Chu Kang Swimming Complex

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Yio Chu Kang Sports Centre

8

Yio Chu Kang Stadium

LAYOUT PLANS OF COMMUNITY CENTRE

Level 1

1

3 2

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7

4 5

6

1. Multi-purpose Hall 2. Service@Central 3. Open Plaza 4. Reading Corner 5. Learning Centre 6. Constituency Office 7. Wellness Room 8. Homecraft Room 1

Level 2 1. Conference Room 2. Theatrette 3. Multi-purpose Room 4. Music Room 2 5. Music Room 1 6. Karoke Room 7. Fitness Centre

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3

4

5

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7

Level 3

1

1. Committee Room 2. Dance Studio 3. Billiard Room 4. Homecraft Room 2 5. Language Centre

2 3 4

5

AREAS WITH ACTIVITY (Noted on Thursday, 4pm)

Location: Level 1 4. Reading Corner Demographics: Age 20-29 (1pax) Age 30-39 (1pax) Age 60-69 (2pax) Age 70-79 (3pax)

Location: Level 1 3. Open Plaza Demographics: Age 40-49 (4pax)

Location: Level 1 6. Constituency Office Demographics: Age 40-49 (2pax)

Location: Level 3 5. Language Centre Demographics: Age 0-9

POPULAR TIMES

Monday 9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

On Thursday at 4pm, there was a total of 20 people using the space. This means that during the peak period, the community club is still moderately utilised.

Through these observations and research, we can conclude that the Yio Chu Kang Community Centre is obsolete as it is largely unused by its residents. Spaces frequently used: reading corner.

TAMPINES WEST COMMUNITY CLUB

DEMOGRAPHICS

0-9

10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79

80+

Age Groups (years)

TAMPINES WEST COMMUNITY CLUB The Tampines West Community Club is busy and largely used by the residents around. On average, the community club is usually very busy. The people using the spaces were mostly students.

This might be due to these reasons: -Many schools are situated nearby the site. The students use the community club as a meeting place to study together.

-The inclusion of fast-food chains in the site encourages many people to visit as it is inexpensive and convenient.

-The site is located at a populated area (beside Shop At West) with little other amenities in Tampines West.

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5 6

1

8 7

1

Temasek Polytechnic

2

Shop at West

3

St Hilda’s Secondary School

4

Jamiyah Home for the Aged

5

Jun Yuan Primary School

6

East View Primary School

7

SAFRA Tampines

8

Tampines Round Market & food

LAYOUT PLANS OF COMMUNITY CENTRE

Level 1

2 4 5

1

6

9

10

1. Jamming Studio 2. Meeting Room 3. Reception Counter 4. Glass Studio 5. Reading Corner 6. Basketball Court 7. Starbucks Coffee 8. Mc Donald’s 9. Mc Donald’s Outdoor Refreshment Area 10. Subway

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8

7

Level 2

1

1. Management Office 2. Auditorium 3. Anytime Fitness 4. Master Kitchen 5. Brothers in Fine Food

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3

1

4

5

Level 3

2

3

4

5 6

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8

9

1. Incubator Room 2. Seminar Room 3. Reading Corner 4. Piano Room 1, 2, 3 5. Activity Room 1 6. Activity Room 2 7. Eye Level Learning 8. Activity Room 3, 4, 5 9. Music Room

AREAS WITH ACTIVITY (Noted on Thursday, 4pm)

Location: Level 1 9. Mc Donald’s Outdoor Refreshment Area Demographics: Age 10-19 (15pax) Age 20-29 (6pax) Age 40-49 (4pax)

Location: Level 1 5. Reading Corner Demographics: Age 10-19 (9pax) Age 30-39 (2pax) Age 60-69 (2pax)

Location: Level 1 6. Basketball Court Demographics: Age 20-29 (1pax) Location: Level 3 3. Reading Corner Demographics: Age 10-19 (3pax) Age 30-39 (2pax) Age 40-49 (2pax) Age 70-79 (1pax)

POPULAR TIMES

Monday 9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

9am

12pm

3pm

6pm

9pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

On thursday at 4pm, there was a total of 50 people using the space.

This means that the peak period of the community club is extremely busy.

Through these observations and research, we can conclude that the Tampines West Community Club is a successful gathering place for residents. Most of the seats are shared seating which are occupied fully by residents. Spaces frequently used: reading corners, food establishments.