history is fun

TFU History Project – The Meanings and Making of Katong - Part 1 (10%)

You are required to complete all the writings and questions to the best of your knowledge for the first part of this project. These required writings and questions are structured to guide and keep you aligned with your objective(s). Do consult any of us if you have problem in writing or answering the work assigned below.

1. Write a brief introduction on your selected theme.
2. Write out a list of questions that will help you find out more about your selected theme.
3. What are your assumptions of your selected theme?
4. Describe your research methods.
5. What are your objectives for this project?

Note: You will type out your work in Microsoft Word and submit to your respective history teachers by the 1st of Feb. In addition, please upload the finished product onto your OPW folder too.

Warning: Do not copy and paste from the internet or any books or articles. This is cheating! We can find out very easily, trust us. You may refer to any relevant sources but learn to paraphrase and use your own words as far as possible. At the end of it, write down the list of sources you have referred to so that we know where you get them from. Lastly, if you are guilty of cheating, you will get zero (0) for this section.

To give you a rough idea, we have prepared the following example to guide you through your Part 1. (You may use some of my ideas for your project. It will not be considered as cheating.)

Hi, this is Mr Leo here. I will be researching on architecture of Katong.

1. Brief Introduction

One of my favourite things whenever I am in Katong is to admire the architecture of the vicinity. As a distinct cultural area in Singapore, Katong stands out with its quaint architecture; from the huge bungalows along Mountbatten to East Coast Roads to the modest and commonplace shophouses around Joo Chiat and Tanjong Katong Roads. Some of these edifices are residential and some commercial, though some might serve as both. Some take on a colonial façade but some display influence of local design that is more suited to the climatic conditions of this island too. There are buildings that have managed to survive but there are those that have been torn down. Of those that still stand proud, in actual fact, many are balancing precariously between preservation and progress, and arguments continue to arise between those with conflicting interests.

Fortunately, of Katong’s unique architectural beauties that have usually escaped the notice of superficial and hasty eyes, they are mostly private houses and shophouses. Survival of these living monuments, mostly, depends on the matriarch or patriarch who owns the place. Nevertheless, living in an island that favours progress more than traditions and with urban renewal being the foremost agenda of the relevant authorities, it would be timely to start taking stock and record what is remaining before the area of Katong undergoes another tremendous change in terms of the built environment, which inadvertently in one way or another transforms the social fabric, economic activity and cultural identity of the area.

2. List of questions
a) Where is Katong? Where it starts and where it ends?
b) What are the different types of architecture in Katong?
c) Who lived in or used these buildings in the past?
d) Who live in or use these buildings now?
e) Are there any architectural symbolisms in these buildings?
f) Where can the more interesting buildings be found?
g) Why are there so many big bungalows here?
h) How did Katong look like in the past?
i) Which ethnic group populated this area? Is it still the same now?
j) What were/are the economic activities that can be found in Katong?
k) Is Katong under any conservation plan? Has any buildings been listed as heritage buildings?
l) Can I see similar architecture in areas outside of Katong?
m) Which are the ones that should be conserved? Why?
n) Why some of the buildings are finding it difficult to survive these days?
o) Why are some seemingly interesting buildings demolished or torn down?
q) What materials are used to build some of these buildings?
r) Will these buildings survive the test of time?

3. My assumptions
a) Katong is East Coast.
b) Katong has experienced land reclamation.
c) Katong is an area for the rich.
d) Most Eurasians and Peranakans live in Katong area.
e) It will take a long time for Katong to change.
f) Buildings in Katong are mostly of colonial designs.
g) Most of the shophouses today in Joo Chiat area are new.
h) There are no more old grand architectural buildings in Katong anymore.
i) Katong architecture and its people are not worth studying.
j) Katong is not worth conserving.
k) Katong does not have its distinct culture and identity.
l) Katong is the same as any other place in Singapore.

4. Research Methods
a) First, I will rely on books, newspapers, magazines, related articles and the internet to provide me with background knowledge of what Katong, its history and architecture is all about. The library and Singapore Archives will be of great help.
b) Second, I will study old photographs of Katong from books, internet, from my interviewee and maybe even from the national archives to gain a better insight of how Katong is in the past.
c) Third, I will visit some of these places to get a good sense of the place and look out for interesting architectures. In this trip, I hope to introduce myself to people whom I want to interview.
d) Through the oral history interview, I will learn about the history of interesting houses and the people who live there.
f) I will take photographs of the places and buildings I visit and interpret or infer those photographs I have taken. Then, compare them to the ones of the past and see its change and continuity.
g) Lastly, I will collate all my data and photographs and write a reflection on architecture of Katong. This will be complemented by the final product as well.

5. Objectives
a) I would like to learn more about Katong; its architecture, culture and people.
b) I would like to explore the history of these buildings which is usually ignored and forgotten.
c) I would like to see what are the changes and continuities of Katong.
d) I would like to learn about the people in the past and present who had/have been responsible in giving Katong its distinctive culture.

That's all expected of you. There are 5 to 6 of you in a group. Split the work up and hand it in early!!!

The rubrics of Part 1 will be shown to you in class by your History teachers!

Thank you.

D Leo