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 EVIDENCE

45 residents surveyed, all living within 1.5 km vicinity of the fort. 

64.4% of residents surveyed did not know about the fort’s existence

35.6% of residents surveyed knew about the fort.

About About 2/32/3 of the people of the people surveyed living around the surveyed living around the fort do not know about its fort do not know about its existence. existence.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Knew about thefortDid not knowabout the fort

CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED

1. Isolated location of excavated bastion of Fort within Katong Park

2. Derelict appearance of the excavated bastion

Given that Fort Tanjong Katong is on the verge of being disregarded, how might we publicize its existence and promote its significance through tangible means, such that this valuable historical site will be more widely-known, especially among the Katong community, and will hopefully receive continued protection in the year 2008 and beyond?

UNDERLYING PROBLEM

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

1. Prominent Signage (Katong Park entrance)

2. Interactive activities with schools

3. Sale of Fort Merchandise (button badges, notebooks)

4. Work with National Heritage Board (NHB) to spread awareness/generate interest by:

a. Setting up a long-term exhibit at a local museumb. Producing and distributing information booklets that will be available to the public

at local museumsc. Featuring article in the newsletter(s) distributed by NHB on Fort

INTENDED PLAN OF ACTION

1) Conduct preliminary research on the Fort

2) Establish partnerships with relevant authorities

3) Promote the Fort amongst the Katong 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)

Partnerships 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)

- Outreach to schools around Katong area: Tanjong Katong Secondary School Chung Cheng High School (Main) Kong Hwa School Tanjong Katong Primary School

- Collaboration with: NParks National Heritage Board (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