FORT TANJONG KATONG

A COMMUNITY PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT BY

SHONA TAN, 412MEGAN QUAH, GRACIA LEE, SARAH GIAM, 413

TJOA SHZE HUI, 414TAN WEI QING, 415

1. Historical significance of Fort Tanjong Katong

2. Recent excavation and subsequent reburial of Fort Tanjong Katong

3. Current state of Fort Tanjong Katong

AREA OF CONCERN

SUPPORTING EVIDENCEGeneral summary:

45 residents surveyed, all living within ___km vicinity of the fort

- 10 from landed property (1 knew about fort, 9 did not)

- 8 from condominiums (5 knew about fort, 3 did not)

- 27 from HDB blocks (10 knew about fort, 17 did not)

 

64.4% of residents surveyed did not know about the fort.

These residents lived in the Katong area for an average of 10.7 years 

35.6% of residents surveyed knew about the fort.

These residents lived in the Katong area for an average of 19.2 years

 

As such, we see that: 

1) At present, more than half of people surveyed living around the fort do not know about its existence.

2) The majority of those who know about the fort live in HDB blocks, and know about the fort through mediums like newspapers, mail and CC brochures from long ago. Some heard about the previous excavations on the fort through word of mouth, and one family knew about the fort through their trips to Katong park.

3) Residents who know about the fort have generally been living in the Katong area for longer periods of time, which ties in with the fact that many of them found out about the fort through newspaper articles and brochures

printed and distributed long ago.

CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED

1. Isolated location of excavated bastion within Katong Park

2. Derelict appearance of excavated bastion

Given that the situation shows that Fort Tanjong Katong is on the verge of being forgotten, leading to the disregardment of a significant historical site, how might we preserve and promote the Fort so that a valuable part of Singapore’s military and colonial history will be protected and its profile raised in the year 2008 and beyond?

UNDERLYING PROBLEM

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. BLAH

INTENDED PLAN OF ACTION

1) Conduct preliminary research on the Fort

2) Establish partnerships with relevant authorities

3) Promote the Fort amongst the community.

4) Set up a signage in the park

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN OF ACTION

Phase 1: Preliminary Research (April – Sept ’08)

Research on Fort Tanjong Katong’s historical background and what had been done in recent years- Conduct survey with residents in Katong area on their knowledge of Fort Tanjong Katong - Interview Ms. Ang Chiean Hong, NParks Head (Bishan-Punggol), and Mr. Oh, Manager -Conduct site survey at Katong Park

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN OF ACTION

Phase 2: Establishing Partnerships (May – Sept ‘08)

With:

- Mr Lim Biow Chuan, MP for Marine Parade GRC and Mountbatten CCC - Dr. Widodo Johannes, Assistant Professor at National University of Singapore (Architecture Department)

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN OF ACTION

Phase 3: Presenting Presentation Materials (Sept – Oct ‘08)

-Design merchandise for sale -Prepare information booklets -Compile Presentation Materials

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN OF ACTION

Phase 4: Community Outreach (Sept – Dec ‘08)

-With NParks- To Schools: TKSS, CCHMS, KHS, TKPS- With NHB

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN OF ACTION

Phase 5: Continued Partnership with Organisations (Oct ‘08 – Jan ‘09)

-With National Youth Council (NYC): Youth Changemakers scheme. -With National Heritage Board (NHB -With NParks and construction company: Construction and implementation of signboard -With other schools

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN OF ACTION

Phase 6: Measure of project’s success (Feb ‘08 – Jul ‘09)

-Survey at schools visited

-Survey on Website 

-Repeat on-site survey

OBSTACLES FACED

OBSTACLES FACED

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

March-Sept 2008

1) Conducted extensive preliminary research - including 2 site surveys of Katong Park - meetings and interviews with various authorities - door-to-door survey of nearby residential area

2) Concretised action plan based on external feedback and research

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Sept- Dec 2008

1) Designed and produced merchandise - including notebooks, badges, flyers

2) Held outreaches at various schools - morning assembly talks, powerpoint presentations,

information boards - sale of merchandise

3) Presented project to YoungChangeMakers, part of National Youth Council and received grant

4) Submitted signage design to NParks

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dec 2008- Apr 2009

1) Explored possibility of online collaboration with NHB

2) Confirmed signage design and set up signage at Katong Park

REFLECTIONS