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Kovan, Singapore

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Kovan (Chinese: 高文; pinyin: Gāo Wén) is a suburb and part of Hougang, in the North-East Region of Singapore. It is part of Aljunied GRC. A relatively small and almost-unknown suburb, it houses many bungalows and condominiums. However, there are a number of HDB flats located nearby.

Location

Blocks of HDB flats in Kovan

As part of Hougang New Town, Kovan is situated north of Serangoon, in the north-eastern part of Singapore, under the North-East Region. A relatively small suburb, its boundaries are unclear and not defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Possible boundaries include the intersection at Simon Road to the north, Charlton Road to the south and Hougang Avenue 2 to the east.

Transportation facilities

The main road connecting Kovan to the other parts of Singapore is Upper Serangoon Road. Both Kovan MRT Station and Heartland Mall are situated along this major road. Nearby is the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway, which provides a direct route to the city area.

Public transport in Kovan is evident. It is served by Kovan MRT Station, which is just opposite to Heartland Mall. Kovan formerly had a bus terminal, which is now renamed Kovan Hub. However, many buses still pass through Kovan, as they ply through the main Upper Serangoon Road. The bus stop connected to Kovan MRT Station is a major one, and a relatively high number of buses pass through it.

Service Between And Notes
SBS Transit Trunk Services
80 Sengkang Bus Interchange HarbourFront Bus Interchange
81 Tampines Bus Interchange Serangoon Bus Interchange
82 Serangoon Bus Interchange Punggol Road End (Loop)
101 Serangoon Bus Interchange Buangkok Link (loop)
107 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Shenton Way Bus Terminal
107M Hougang Central Bus Interchange Marina Centre (Loop)
112 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Hougang Street 92 (Loop)
113 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Lorong Ah Soo (Loop)
115 Hougang Street 21 Hougang Ave 3 (Loop)
119 Sengkang Bus Interchange Hougang Street 21 (Loop)
136 Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange Punggol Bus Interchange
153 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Bukit Merah Bus Interchange

Former Bus Interchange

The former Hougang South Bus Interchange in Kovan

Hougang South Bus Interchange (Chinese: 后港南巴士转换站) was a bus interchange, located in Hougang Street 21, which ceased operations on 13 February 2004. It is now called Kovan Hub. The interchange's structure continues to stand pending a major redevelopment of the site. In the meantime, the vacated building is used to host exhibitions and for commercial purposes, and the bus lots as parking space.

Amenities

The main amenity in Kovan is Heartland Mall. Heartland Mall is well-served by a number of well-known outlets and shops, such as Popular, KFC, Sakae Sushi etc. There is a football field just across the road from Heartland Mall, which is often used for hosting football matches. A bowling alley, Superbowl Hougang, is also near Heartland Mall.

Heartland Mall

There is also a neighbourhood park south of Heartland Mall Which is opposite Yuying Secondary School. There are also two community clubs in kovan, the Aljunied community club (Blk 110) and the Paya Lebar Kovan community club which is opposite Kovan Hub. A number of pubs and cafes like Grapevine Cafe Bar and Restaurant, O Bar, a Vegetarian Restaurant and other international eateries found in the area. There is also the Crocodile Farm nearby.

Schools

There is only one primary and secondary school in Kovan. These two schools are part of the 19 educational institutions in Hougang. There used to be several more schools located deep inside the housing estate and the surrounding area. These schools either closed down or moved. The last school to stop operations, Parry Primary School, closed down in late 2006.

  • Former Secondary Schools

Serangoon Secondary School (moved to Hougang North)

Places of worship

  • St. Paul's Chapel
  • Kim Tian Christian Church
  • The Buddhist Union
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
  • Jiu Huang Da Ti Temple
  • Masjid Haji Yusoff

Politics of Kovan

Although Kovan is considered part of Hougang, it is in fact part of Aljunied GRC, and not the other 4 political divisions in Hougang. As part of Aljunied GRC, it has witnessed a colourful history.

Housing

Kovan as part of Hougang was traditionally an area associated with the Teochew community. A number of road names at Kovan commemorate the more prominent members of this community. Many of the stall holders at the wet market at Kovan today speak Teochew. The main type of housing in Kovan is HDB flats. Other types of housing are condominuims and houses with the majority being in the Kovan, Rosyth and Hillside housing areas. But just opposite Kovan Heartland Mall, you can see along Lowland Road, there is Kovan Melody, and Kovan Residences( currently U/C ). Further in the condominium the types of houses found are Semi-Detached, Terrace and Private Condominium(mansion).

Hougang South Housing Estate

Although most of it is not considered part of Kovan, the whole area of flats ranging from Upper Paya Lebar road to Hougang Avenue 3 is part of Hougang New Town and is considered by most locals as part of kovan. These Flats are lined beside Lorong Ah soo and Hougang Ave 1. Formerly this was the central part of Hougang; the first housing estate to be built there. But as the town expanded towards the north, the town center moved from Kovan City northwards. The Housing estates include:

  • The Kovan City estate
  • Paya Lebar Zone 1
  • The Lorong Ah soo Estate(Paya Lebar zone 5)
  • Avenue 1 Road End Estate
  • Paya Lebar Zone 7
  • Hougang Heights
  • Street 22 center
  • Minton Rise

A portion of Minton Rise exists as a HDB government condominium, and this was sold in 2009 to a private corporation. The flats were torn down in early 2010, as there are plans to make a new condominium. Recently, this has and probably will spur a state of change in the area in which old, cheap condominiums will be sold and razed off for new development, particularly around Charlton Hill and the Kovan area.

See also

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