Formation of a place identity (continued)

This laid-back estate with its uniquely rustic charm used to be home to many British settlers in the 1950s ,thus the presence of all British street names and English colonial designed houses which are still evident today, for example the characteristic red-roofed houses which is why the estate was previously fondly known as ‘ Ang Sar Lee’(the hokkien translation for red roof).After Singapore gained independence, majority of residents are now mainly upper middle-class income local Singaporeans who have called this place home for many years.

Let's take a look at a interview with a resident of Serangoon Gardens.

Although we do not see much Resident Committee nor grassroot activities in this estate as most residents are generally very private and value their own space. However, this uniquely private group of residents’ strong sense of community and belonging cannot be challenged when their interests are threatened as can be seen in the united and coordinated efforts to petition against the building of a foreign workers’ dormitory right at their door-step.The fear of losing the uniquely local Serangoon Garden identity and well-protected enclave of garden-village concept and culture was strong enough for the majority of residents to vote for the opposition party to show their discontent with the government for seemingly acting against their wishes.The sense of need to protect their common space was again evidenced when Serangoon Garden estate made news as being one of the first estate to be subjected to a ban against more establishment of restaurants as a result of residents complaining against the over-crowding,noise and pollution of their common space in this serene,private and peaceful estate.

Serangoon Garden is a classic example of an estate with a naturally evolving culture and identity shaped both by historical events and government policies.A previously mainly populated British estate in the colonial days to largely local residency, we are now again seeing the slow and gradual increase in European, Australian and American residents as a result of the government’s ‘open-door’ policy in the bid to attract foreign talent to Singapore, resulting in the building of international schools such as the French and Australian international schools in the vicinity of Serangoon Gardens.As a result of interaction and integration among these multinationals, the residents has also evolved to be more socially and politically aware , involved and vocal.