History of Yishun
Yishun (formerly Nee Soon in its teochew dialect form and 义顺 in written Chinese) is a town and a ward in the northern region of Singapore. It is named after Lim Nee Soon, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who was a pioneer in the rubber industry and made his fortune from the rubber and pineapple plantations he had in the area
In the early 20th century, Nee Soon was a rural area with vast plantations, and it was primarily inhabited by Malays, Chinese, and Indians who worked on the plantations and farms. Mr. Lim Nee Soon, as a prominent rubber plantation owner in the area, played a key role in developing the area’s infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals.
During World War II, the Japanese army occupied Nee Soon, and the area suffered significant damage during the war. However, after the war, Mr. Lim and other community leaders worked tirelessly to rebuild the area and provide assistance to those affected by the war.
In the post-independence era, the government of Singapore continued to invest in the development of Nee Soon. The area underwent significant urbanization and development, and in 1981, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) launched the development of Yishun New Town, which is part of the larger Nee Soon area.
Yishun New Town was designed to be a modern and self-contained town, with a mix of public and private housing estates, commercial centers, and other amenities. The town was built in stages, with the first residents moving in during the mid-1980s. Over the years, the town has undergone significant expansion and development, with new housing estates, schools, and shopping centers being built to meet the growing needs of its residents.
Today, Yishun New Town is a vibrant and bustling community, home to a diverse mix of residents, including young families, professionals, and seniors. The town is well-connected to other parts of Singapore, with several major roads and public transportation options, including 2 MRT stations and a major bus interchange. It is also home to several parks and green spaces, including the popular Lower Seletar Reservoir, which provides residents with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure activities.
Amenities in Yishun
Yishun is home to a wide range of amenities, including parks and reservoirs. Some of the notable amenities in Yishun include:
- Yishun Park – a large park spanning 13 hectares and featuring a variety of recreational facilities, including a fitness corner, playgrounds, and a water play area.
- Lower Seletar Reservoir – a beautiful reservoir with walking and cycling paths, as well as water sports facilities such as kayaking and fishing.
- Khatib Bongsu Park – a large park with a natural forest and freshwater swamp, as well as a variety of recreational facilities such as a playground, fitness corner, and basketball court.
- ORTO – a recreational park featuring a variety of activities such as prawning, fishing, trampoline park, and go-karting.
- SAFRA Yishun – a community club with a variety of facilities, including a swimming pool, bowling alley, and gym.
- Northpoint City – a large shopping mall with a wide variety of retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
- Khoo Teck Puat Hospital – a large hospital with state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on holistic healing and patient-centered care.
- Yishun Stadium – a sports complex with a running track, football field, and other sporting facilities.
- Yishun Town Square – a public square with a variety of events and activities throughout the year.
- Yishun Community Library – a public library with a wide selection of books and resources for residents of all ages.
HDB Profile of Yishun Town
Age Distribution
Below is a snapshot of the HDB blocks that have been built in Yishun since its development as a HDB “New Town” in the 1981. It is clear that HDB flats built from the 1970s to the 1990s are clustered around the western part of Yishun (the darker coloured bubbles) whereas newer HDB flats built from the 2000s onwards (the lighter coloured bubbles) were mostly in the eastern part of Yishun, to the right side of Yishun Ave 4 while looking at the map.
Additionally, the building timeline for these HDB flats, based on year of completion, can be clearly seen to have two waves, one in the mid-1990s, another one in the mid-2000s. Starting in the year 2022, BTO momentum seem to be gaining momentum again, with 32 blocks completed during the year.
Flat Type Distribution
Like most typical HDB towns, 4-ROOM flats dominate with 32,555 units, while Executive flats, at 2,567 units, offer opportunities for large-sized HDB buyers. Multi-generation and Studio Apartment flats are hard to come by.
Yishun All HDB Blocks Report
You can use our Yishun All HDB Blocks analytics report to do further detailed analysis, narrowing down your query to street and block level.
Let us know if you have any feedback.