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Singapore Street Names: A Study of Toponymics
The definitive guide to place names in Singapore. Place names tell us much about a country – its history, its landscape, its people, its aspirations, its self-image. The study of place names, ‘toponymics’, unlocks the myriad interlocking stories that are encoded in every street and landmark.
In Singapore, the coexistence of various races, cultures and languages, as well as its history of colonisation, immigration and nationalism, have given rise to a complex tapestry of place names. Alkaff Quay, Coleman Bridge, Ann Siang Hill, Bukit Merah – how did these places get their names? Nee Soon or Yishun? Serangoon Road or Tekka?
First published in 2003 as Toponymics, this updated and expanded edition of the book incorporates a wealth of new findings, from archival research and interviews, and sets out to answer these questions – and any question that might be asked about the origin, meaning or significance of place names in Singapore
In Singapore, the coexistence of various races, cultures and languages, as well as its history of colonisation, immigration and nationalism, have given rise to a complex tapestry of place names. Alkaff Quay, Coleman Bridge, Ann Siang Hill, Bukit Merah – how did these places get their names? Nee Soon or Yishun? Serangoon Road or Tekka?
First published in 2003 as Toponymics, this updated and expanded edition of the book incorporates a wealth of new findings, from archival research and interviews, and sets out to answer these questions – and any question that might be asked about the origin, meaning or significance of place names in Singapore
- GenresNonfiction
774 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 5, 2015
Savage, R. & Yeoh, B. (2013). Singapore street names: A study of toponymics. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions.
Relatively well-researched, but there're still some blanks without explication.
Bukit Timah Road is the longest in Singapore at 25km.
Cavenagh Bridge is Singapore's oldest, constructed in 1869.
Kangkar Village was replaced by $11m Ponggol Fishing Port in 1984, at N1°24'15.01" E103°55'5.98", then replaced by Senoko Fishing Port (31 Attap Valley Rd) in 1997. Sin Hup Fishery seems to have left some infrastructure behind in Punggol Port Road. This is why the bus stop at Sheng Siong Supermarket on Punggol Road says it's opposite Punggol Port Road.
Bulldozers hired to demolish Keramat Habib Noh at Palmer Road to build the ECP in the 1980s couldn't start their engines. The ECP detoured 10m around it.
Buangkok means United.
Pedra Branca and Pulau Blakang Mati are names that've existed since the 16th century!
Miller St, at about 30m short, isn't even included in the list.
Pulau Saigon was at where River Place condominium is today.
Relatively well-researched, but there're still some blanks without explication.
Bukit Timah Road is the longest in Singapore at 25km.
Cavenagh Bridge is Singapore's oldest, constructed in 1869.
Kangkar Village was replaced by $11m Ponggol Fishing Port in 1984, at N1°24'15.01" E103°55'5.98", then replaced by Senoko Fishing Port (31 Attap Valley Rd) in 1997. Sin Hup Fishery seems to have left some infrastructure behind in Punggol Port Road. This is why the bus stop at Sheng Siong Supermarket on Punggol Road says it's opposite Punggol Port Road.
Bulldozers hired to demolish Keramat Habib Noh at Palmer Road to build the ECP in the 1980s couldn't start their engines. The ECP detoured 10m around it.
Buangkok means United.
Pedra Branca and Pulau Blakang Mati are names that've existed since the 16th century!
Miller St, at about 30m short, isn't even included in the list.
Pulau Saigon was at where River Place condominium is today.
November 23, 2018
I can't believe I sat and read most of this. Sad but true, lol. And it was fascinating! :-)
July 18, 2020
This was a really enjoyable list of Singapore street names and the history behind the name.
3/5 stars
3/5 stars
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews