With the fast development of Singapore’s Northen regions to support the growing population and the country’s target of 6 million by 2030, urban planners face the challenge of creating funtional living spaces while still retaining the heritage and nature of the existing land. One of the new emerging towns that have successfully blended modernity with nature is the Sembawang-Canberra zone. It has a long history of hiking trails, which became more accessible with the recent developments like the emergence of the Canberra Mrt Station. Here are some landmarks the trails lead to:
Jalan Malu-Malu
This street, nestled within the landed residential estate of Sembawang and west of The Watergardens at Canberra, means “embarrassed” in Malay but it has anything but shame along it. It is within the Sembawang Spring Estate, and home to many well-to-do Singaporeans in their detached and terraced houses. Two streets down from Jalan Malu-Malu is Sembawang Road, where a row of nostalgic 80’s shophouses provide some essentials and eateries to their neighbours.
Sembawang Hot Spring
Volcanoes may not be found in Singapore, thankfully, but surprisingly hot springs are. Discovered in the early 1900s, the Sembawang Hot Spring is Singapore’s one and only hot spring and it is today developed into a park that features cascading pools, wheelchair accessiblity enhancements, a footbath, and a proper water collection point for hygiene. The water collected from this spring is believed to contain medicinal properties that help alleviate pain. Some people believe that residences around the spring is expensive, not only due to the springs uniqueness, but from a “feng shui” perspective. However home buyers need not be concerned, as The Watergardens at Canberra Price will be competitive to similar condominium projects that are not near the spring.
Canberra Plaza
Having a MRT station connected to a shopping complex has been the design of transit stations for the past 10 years in Singapore, and Canberra Plaza is no exception. Shopping, dining and recreational options are just a pedestrian bridge across from Canberra Station into the second level of Canberra Plaza. This Shopping Mall is sited near waterways like Sungei Simpang Kiri and the previous Sembawang Naval Base, and so this inspired a nautical theme for the design of the mall. This is not new, as a condominium named Penrose is also inspired from the vigour of city fringe living, and the strong heritage of Aljunied. It is now open for sale with more than 70% of its units already sold.