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Before the new town came into being, Tampines was a place of forests,
plantations and small kampongs. The nearby areas of Teban, Tampines, Teck
Hock village, Beremban, Sungei Blukar were collectively known as "TAMPINES".
The name "TAMPINES" was derived from the Malay name of the "Riau ironwood"
tree which grew abundantly in Tampines.
The transformation of Tampines into the first regional town centre in Singapore began in the 1970s. Since then, Tampines New Town has blossomed into the institutional, social, recreational and commercial hub of the eastern part of Singapore. Many government and commercial agencies have established offices in the town. It now houses a population of 200,000 people in 52,000 Housing and Development flats on 424 hectares of land. It is a bustling new town with lots of activities.
In 1993, the Tampines New Town won the prestigious United Nations
"World Habitat Award for Excellence in Housing Design". This award was in
recognition of Singapore's outstanding contribution towards human settlement
and development and the excellent housing standard is exemplified by
Tampines. Tampines New Town is indeed a place to live in and the intelligent
town of the future. Creative parks and beautifully landscaped gardens
contribute to a serene and scenic living environment for both the young and
old.
The Tampines tree is one of the most valuable timber trees in Peninsula Malaysia, known for its strength, suppleness and durability.
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