We trace the history of Toa Payoh, from the beginning to current day. Once upon a time, Toa Payoh was nothing more than a swamp, albeit a very big one.

With SIT (Singapore Improvement Trust) performing below par, something had to be done fast. And so, in 1960, HDB (Housing Development Board) was born.

What started out as a big major project is today’s Singapore pride (as far as housing for the common folks is concerned). It was a major move and HDB took its cue from the development of Tiong Bahru and Queenstown. Tiong Bahru and Queenstown were earlier projects by SIT.

Today, on this tour, we’ll go through the trial and tribulations of building this gigantic housing project. It didn’t come easy. It came with all sorts of culture, heritage and, livelihood problems.

Toa Payoh was designed to house 250,000 people. And as history would have it, they did not. So, what went wrong? Sixty years later, the scenario is now different. For many, the waiting queue is “a few years”!

We will meet on the 1st of April 2023, 9am at Toa Payoh MRT to see how we can beat the Q. Upon alighting the MRT, take the escalator to your left, and meet me upstairs, street level, in front of Toastbox.

I’ll be doing my breakfast here. If you are early, we can do coffee together.

For reservations, contact:
UNCLE CHRIS WALKING TOURS
Chris WK Ng
T: 65 91814298
E: [email protected]

Note:
• We do the world-wide practice of tipping at the end of the tour.
• We also reserve the right to accept or reject habitual late cancellations and No Shows.
• Do not sign up for this tour if you are not sure of your schedule. Sign up only when you are sure of your schedule.