What do you think?
Rate this book
Kent Ridge: An Untold Story
From the white sands of its shoreline to the Alexandra Barracks of the Singapore Mutiny, from tiger traps and plantations to kampong and wealthy seaside bungalows, the rocky ridge running parallel to Singapore’s western seashore is one of the island city-state’s most memorable landscapes. Kent Ridge is also special for another reason—it’s home to the National University of Singapore and to NUS Press.
Extending from Clementi Road in the west to Alexandra Road in the east, and divided by the “ninety-nine curves” of South Buona Vista Road, Kent Ridge exerts its imaginative pull on many Singaporeans and visitors, but especially those who are studying at or have graduated from the NUS. This book will help anyone beguiled by the Ridge to look beyond the academic institutions of today to see the area’s geological past. It points out the wealth of flora and fauna that still can be found from indigenous plants such as the tembusu , tiup tiup , and senduduk to monitor lizards, flying dragons, and oriental green snakes. The book moves through the changing human geography of the region and tells the inside stories behind the NUS’s original campus master plan. Richly illustrated with photos, historical maps, and images, each chapter of this book is written by NUS faculty and staff who are passionate about the Ridge.
Extending from Clementi Road in the west to Alexandra Road in the east, and divided by the “ninety-nine curves” of South Buona Vista Road, Kent Ridge exerts its imaginative pull on many Singaporeans and visitors, but especially those who are studying at or have graduated from the NUS. This book will help anyone beguiled by the Ridge to look beyond the academic institutions of today to see the area’s geological past. It points out the wealth of flora and fauna that still can be found from indigenous plants such as the tembusu , tiup tiup , and senduduk to monitor lizards, flying dragons, and oriental green snakes. The book moves through the changing human geography of the region and tells the inside stories behind the NUS’s original campus master plan. Richly illustrated with photos, historical maps, and images, each chapter of this book is written by NUS faculty and staff who are passionate about the Ridge.
344 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 11, 2019
At its core, this book is a history of the campus of National University of Singapore, from the planning to the design and construction, since the 1970s to its spillage north with the addition of University Town. However the writer decided to throw in the history of the entire neighbourhood of Pasir Panjang, while also covering the geology and biological characteristics - in sum the physical and man made history of the area. It is a real pity how a beautiful and charming seaside settlement of Malay villages and grand old mansions was basically destroyed by land reclamation and the complete obliteration of the shore with the creation of Pasir Panjang docks and the massive two storey highway and viaduct across the entire sea front. While the east coast still has a long stretch of recreational beach, albeit artificially created post extension of the original shore line at Katong, the equivalent on the western side has now been completely lost to development. What remains is only the hills and ridge line, thankfully reforested after their denudation up till the 1970s. May they remain green and unbroken by high rises for all posterity!
May 31, 2025
Kent Ridge: An Untold Story is a comprehensive and detailed book that delves into the rich history of Kent Ridge, from its geology and biodiversity to its cultural and military past. As someone with a personal connection to the Ridge, I found it particularly fascinating to see how this area has transformed over the last 200 years. The book brought new depth to a place I thought I was familiar with.
The narrative traces Kent Ridge’s evolution from a primeval forest to idyllic coastal kampongs to the developed landscape we see today, reflecting broader trends in Singapore’s national development. Despite the significant transformation, there are remnants of the past that still linger in the area, providing visual and historical clues to what once was.
For example, the old British military bungalows near Alexandra Road and dotting the ridge speak to the area’s colonial military significance. Seaside bungalows along Pasir Panjang Road recall a time when affluent Chinese towkays used the area as a seaside retreat. The old mosques such as Masjid Ahmad and Hussain Sulaiman reflect a time when the surrounding kampongs depended on these places of worship as community hubs. Even the vegetation tells a story: the presence of Adinandra belukar forest species and rubber trees indicates former forest landscapes and past plantation use.
One of the most well known historical symbols is the colonial house atop Bukit Chandu, now known as Reflections at Bukit Chandu. The colonial house was the seat of British officers overseeing the opium packing plant at the base of the hill, hence the name which translates to Opium Hill. The site also became the site of a fierce WWII battle during the Japanese invasion. Old road names that were retained like Hyderabad Road also serve as subtle nods to the area’s colonial and military legacy.
The book includes a wealth of materials such as maps, oral histories, excerpts from old newspaper articles, and biodiversity surveys. These sources are well-integrated and add richness to the narrative, making the book a valuable resource for anyone interested in the layered history of Kent Ridge or Singapore’s broader heritage.
That said, the level of detail may be overwhelming for beginners or casual readers. At times, the prose can feel dense and academic.
Overall, I’d rate Kent Ridge: An Untold Story a 4 out of 5. It’s an impressively thorough and well-researched book, especially for history buffs and those with a personal connection to the area. If you’re curious about Singapore’s lesser-known histories or want a deeper appreciation of Kent Ridge beyond what meets the eye, this book is definitely for you.
The narrative traces Kent Ridge’s evolution from a primeval forest to idyllic coastal kampongs to the developed landscape we see today, reflecting broader trends in Singapore’s national development. Despite the significant transformation, there are remnants of the past that still linger in the area, providing visual and historical clues to what once was.
For example, the old British military bungalows near Alexandra Road and dotting the ridge speak to the area’s colonial military significance. Seaside bungalows along Pasir Panjang Road recall a time when affluent Chinese towkays used the area as a seaside retreat. The old mosques such as Masjid Ahmad and Hussain Sulaiman reflect a time when the surrounding kampongs depended on these places of worship as community hubs. Even the vegetation tells a story: the presence of Adinandra belukar forest species and rubber trees indicates former forest landscapes and past plantation use.
One of the most well known historical symbols is the colonial house atop Bukit Chandu, now known as Reflections at Bukit Chandu. The colonial house was the seat of British officers overseeing the opium packing plant at the base of the hill, hence the name which translates to Opium Hill. The site also became the site of a fierce WWII battle during the Japanese invasion. Old road names that were retained like Hyderabad Road also serve as subtle nods to the area’s colonial and military legacy.
The book includes a wealth of materials such as maps, oral histories, excerpts from old newspaper articles, and biodiversity surveys. These sources are well-integrated and add richness to the narrative, making the book a valuable resource for anyone interested in the layered history of Kent Ridge or Singapore’s broader heritage.
That said, the level of detail may be overwhelming for beginners or casual readers. At times, the prose can feel dense and academic.
Overall, I’d rate Kent Ridge: An Untold Story a 4 out of 5. It’s an impressively thorough and well-researched book, especially for history buffs and those with a personal connection to the area. If you’re curious about Singapore’s lesser-known histories or want a deeper appreciation of Kent Ridge beyond what meets the eye, this book is definitely for you.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews