In Lim Chu Kang, there is a small public housing area known as Neo Tiew Estate (or Lim Chu Kang Rural Centre) which was built in 1979. The estate, consisting of 3 HDB blocks, served to provide accommodation for the relocated farmers who were allowed to continue with their farming activities in farms around the area. Yet, in 2002, residents had to vacate the estate and have shifted to Jurong West. Today, the estate is used for "Fighting in built-up areas"(a.k.a FIBUA) trainings by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
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NEO TIEW ESTATE
HISTORY
TODAY
PLAYGROUND
NEO TIEW
Even though one can only look into the estate from the outside perimeter today, it is not hard to picture the self-sufficient estate back when it was in its prime. The many units in the HDB blocks, the void decks, the central marketplace, and even the playground, all brimming with people carrying out their daily activities. Yet, the lifeless estate of today leaves us with only a glimpse of yesteryear, as we wonder what it would have been like if the estate was still occupied today.
The estate as well as the road where it sits was aptly named after a man called Neo Tiew, who was a pioneer in developing Lim Chu Kang. Neo Tiew is a respected man during his time, having received several awards such as the Certificate of Honour from HM King George the Sixth and Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth the Second. He was heavily involved in the developing of various structures in the area, such as roads, setting up of schools, power stations and clinics in the area.
Unknown to many, the estate is of heritage importance as it is where one of the oldest playgrounds in Singapore is. It has 2 slides and a see saw, with a white arc-shaped concrete structure used by kids to skate on or something to provide momentum for running. The centre of that arc used to be sand but it is removed and replaced with grass now.