Old & New - Changes

Much of Singapore’s history has been buried under high rise buildings and other town developments. This has led to quite a lot of change in the past five plus decades. While convenience and more hygienic environs are often a hallmark of modernization, in some respects the soul of Singapore has been diluted in the process. While modernization is in itself not a bad or undesirable thing, the emergence of so many 'robotic suburbs' can often dull the senses to the underlying rich culture that lies and continues to grow within the ethos of Singapore.

The following photo-journeys attempt to capture some of the soul in the few remaining pockets of the old Singapore. Many of the historical pockets of Singapore have a great mix of colour, chaos, and expression - something that is sorely lacking in other modern parts of the country.

Redhill Hawker Centre and Current newer eateries

Hawker centres in Singapore are open-air complexes that house many stalls that sell a wide variety of affordably priced food. They are mostly conveniently located at the heart of housing estates, usually with adjoining wet markets. Hawker centres are a unique aspect of Singapore culture and lifestyle. They are also important places for social interaction and community bonding. [Source: National Heritage Board]

The Redhill hawker centre was built in 1972 and housed 96 food stalls. This may not be the oldest hawker centre as at January 2024, but many of the stalls have been around for decades and some of them since the beginning of the hawker centre. This is one of the reasons why you hardly see any young hawkers here. Up to today, older residents who live in modern flats in this neighborhood still visit favorite stalls, that many remember from their younger days, to have the foods that they've come to love over the decades. This is just one aspect of the underpinning soul of these places, that is not present in the modern Food Courts which are the gentrified, air-conditioned, more expensive and impersonal creatures of modernity.

The quick photo journey below tries to give a glimpse into the change-story of this hawker centre that is still beloved to many residents, both old and new.