4.
PARKS & OPEN SPACES
SINGAPORE & THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA
Very considerable progress has been made during the year in re-establishing our parks to their pre-war condition. The extent of rehabilitation to these has been much greater comparatively than the rehabilitation necessary to our build- ings, as in the case of the parks, one can say that literally each square foot of ground had to be treated,
Farrer Park is now approachinig its pre-war condition, with a number of pitches and tennis courts already in con- mission and the Clubrooms ready for occupation. At Katong Park rehabilitation work is about two-thirds complete with the Swimming Pagar. Changing Rooms and Refreshment Stalls ready for use. Work on King George V Park continues and this together with Mount Emily Park, where improvement work and tree planting have also been carried out in 1948, make two very attractive "lungs" near the heart of the city. All our Parks and Open Spaces are once again under our control. The recent demolition of unauthorised markets and other unauthorised buildings has released the last of our open spaces for rehabilitation and development work to proceed with all speed in 1949, and so provide badly needed playing areas for the children and recreational facilities for adults in densely crowded areas.
In all our Parks and Open Spaces, we now have avail- able to the public seven soccer, rugby and hockey pitches, three tennis courts (with eight more available soon) and also ten fully equipped children playgrounds as well as the Swimming Pagar at Katong. All these facilities are extremely popular.
It is proposed to lay down a mat wicket at Farrer Park in the ensuing year and if it proves popular enough, this will prove the forerunner of a properly laid down cricket "square."
After the closing down of the town's swimming pools during the polio epidemic, it was considered undesirable to re-open the Mount Emily Pool until a filtration plant has been installed. This plant is being made under the control of the Water Engineer and it is hoped that the re-opening of this very popular pool will not be unduly delayed. The takings of $4,644. for the period February-April when the Pool was open vividly illustrate this point,
The Jalan Besar Stadium continues to cater for the bulk of the organised football fixtures, and the erection of a covered stand on the "popular side" on which work is about to start will be an added amenity much appreciated, the large crowds attracted to the Stadium.
5. NEW SCHEMES
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As touched on previously the increased strength of the Senior Staff has enabled preliminary schemes for a variety of projects in addition to our housing layouts to be prepared for the Commissioners' consideration. These are briefly as follows:-
(i)
(ii)
New Abattoirs at Henderson Road-comprehensive sketch plans have been prepared in collaboration with the Health Officer and Municipal Veterinary Officer. Cost of total scheme in the region of $5 million. $1 million approved in 1949 Loan Estimates for first part of scheme.
New Fire Station at Alexandra Road-sketch plans prepared in collaboration with Supt. Fire Brigade for a four-bay station with housing for 90 Officers and firemen. Cost $1 million approved in 1949 Loan Estimates.
(iii) New Town Cleansing Depot with 80 rooms for labourers. Sketch scheme prepared in collaboration with Town Cleansing Supt. Cost $400,000 - included in 1949 Loan Estimates.
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(V)
(iv) Holiday Camp at Telok Mata Ikan for Junior Officers. The sketch proposals were explained to Committee members on the site and the scheme was approved at a cost of $180,000 (1949 Loan Estimates) to go ahead as early as possible in 1949. Six Storey block of buildings along frontage of Municipal Workshops in River Valley Road. Accommodation on ground floor for new offices for the Workshops and Showroom or office space with five storeys of flats over, for Subordinate Staff. Cost estimated at $1,250,000 -- This scheme was approved in principle for carrying out at a later date. (vi) Esplanade Development for re-claimed sea front adjoining Padang. Preliminary sketch layout approved in principle and referred back to the Department for an estimate of approximate cost. (vii) Standard Bus Shelter-Sketch scheme prepared for
type to serve outlying districts.
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A number of the above schemes together with a selection of current works were exhibited at the Housing and Town Planning Exhibition opened by Sir Patrick Abercrombie, the eminent Architect & Town Planner during his visit to the town in November,
6. WORK BY DEPARTMENTAL LABOUR
Another active year in the overtaking of accumulated arrears of maintenance in the attempt to bring out buildings back to the good state of repair of normal pre-war periods. Maintenance and rehabilitation work to our buildings and parks was carried out by my own direct labour force and those of other Departments (mainly that of the Municipal Engineer).
7. BUILDING SURVEYOR SECTION
The number of building plans submitted during 1948 greatly exceeded those submitted during the previous post- war years and there was a corresponding increase in building plans approved. The 1948 gure both of plans submitted and plans approved bears fair comparison with the pre-war peak years of 1938 and 1939.
This increased activity is sharply reflected in the revenue received which, amounting to $190,840 greatly exceeds the 1947 figure of $139,505 which was itself the highest revenue figure ever received by the Department.
The extensive rehabiliation and maintenance work to private property carried out in 1947 has continued through- out 1948, and combined with the marked increase this year in general building development, the improvement in the general appearance of the town is noteworthy.
The return of buildings completed during the year shows an increase of approximately 70% over 1947 figures and in view of the town's acute housing problem, it is pleasing to note that this increase is largely due to the increased number of domestic properties completed. The actual figures of completed domestic properties-238 in 1948 against 39 in 1947-speak for themselves. From observations there would appear to be a definite trend towards speculative building in the smaller type of house.
General industrial premises completed during the year show a slight decrease from the 1947 figure, but there is a corresponding increase in the number of public buildings, offices etc. completed.
Cinemas, theatres, cabarets, and other similar type build- ings show a marked decrease in 1948, and this may be attributable to the enactment of the "Control of Building Ordinance" which came into force on 15th January 1948, and which was designed to ensure that building materials in short supply should not be diverted from domestic and other essential works.
Comprehensive revision of the Municipal Building and Advertisement Bylaws to bring into line with current practice and conditions received detailed consideration during the year, and it is hoped that at least the new revised Advertisement Bylaws will receive legislative approval in 1949.
During the year, the question of "high" buildings has been under active consideration by the Department and the comparative values of the standards laid down in Bylaw 207 et seq relating to height of buildings has been studied in relation to the new factors of plot ratio, floor space index and daylighting control recommended by the U.K. Planning Authorities in "The Redevelopment of Control Areas." The subject offers no casy immediate formula, and is still receiving Committee consideration,
It but remains for me, as a pleasant duty, to express my appreciation for the unfailing help and courtesy invariably met with in my contact with other Municipal Departments, and my thanks to all my own star for a year's hard and loyal service.
D. C. RAE, FR.I.B.A., D.A.,
Municipal Architect & Building Surveyor.
"PERMACEM” INTERNAL FINISHES
The Permacem Paint Co. Ltd., has recently brought to a successful conclusion a number of experiments aimed at reducing the cost of interior finishes and at the same time obtaining a pleasing effect combined with durability.
The adoption of one specification enables the normal hard-plaster setting coat to be entirely dispensed with and the resultant saving will in most cases more than pay for the cost of applying "Permacem" so that in effect the decora- tion will then cost nothing.
This particular specification calls for the application of "Permacem" (Waterproof) direct to a wood-float sand: cement or sand cement lime rendering. Two coats of "Permacem (Waterproof)" should be all that is required to furnish a most economical and pleasing finish to interior wall surfaces. The final surface will be rock-hard and lasting and will not peel or flake off. As a matter of precaution it is advisable to allow the sand cement rendering to dry out, normally 2.3 weeks, before cement paints are applied, the period depending upon weather conditions.
"Permacem" specifications are being increasingly used by different authorities and councils in various parts of the United Kingdom for housing schemes, office buildings, fac- tories, etc on both external and interior wall surfaces where a combination of waterproofing, durability and pleasing finish is desired. One of their specialities "Permacem (Anti-pest)" has been proved by an eminent firm of entomologists to be lethal over a long period to flies, mosquitoes and other pests and is particularly suitable for hospital rooms, canteens, kitchens, food storage rooms. It has anti-condensation pro- perties which makes it the ideal form of decoration where condensation has to be guarded against.
for
The Malayan Agents "Permacem" products arc Sandilands Buttery & Co. Ltd., who are carrying stocks and will supply further particulars upon request.
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