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About
When a visitor travels from one end of West Coast to the other, he senses that there is an invisible line that divides the district into two. The eastern side of West Coast is filled with schools, residential areas and greenery, while the western side is largely industrial. The eastern side is spacious and relaxed, while the western side is crammed and busy 24/7. Perhaps the only common feature of the two sides is the sea, which runs parallel to the main roads of West Coast. This district is one of stark and almost flabbergasting contrast.
History
Like East Coast, West Coast was created out of reclaimed land in the late 1970s, an equal-opportunity land reclamation exercise that preserved our island's symmetry. To ensure fairness in land distribution, both the east and the west of Singapore were to get more land. After the reclamation, however, the two coasts developed in completely different ways. The East became a recreational hotspot whereas the West literally became hot, with all that plastic and food manufacturing.
In the 80s and early 90s, West Coast Park was already in existence but was a relatively desolate area. It was redeveloped in the late 90s, in hopes that it would be as vibrant as the East. Today, West Coast is livelier but still relatively quiet and very peaceful.
Recreation
Residential
West Coast has a large residential area comprising every type of property you can think of. There is a large HDB estate situated beside a string of condominiums and landed property. These condominiums provide a nice view of the port and the sea, and are cheaper compared to condominiums in the east and central of Singapore. They include Blue Horizon and West Bay Condominium.
Due to West Coast's large Japanese population, there are many Japanese international schools in the district. The Clementi campus of the Japanese School 's primary school is located in West Coast, as well as Waseda Shibuya Senior High School and the Japanese Kindergarten. Other international schools in West Coast include International Community School. Public schools are also abundant in West Coast, such as Clementi Woods Secondary School, Kent Ridge Secondary School and Jin Tai Primary School.
Residents of West Coast go to Ginza Plaza to shop. This shopping centre is an old complex with many small retail outlets and eateries. Opposite Ginza Plaza is West Coast's Market and Food Centre, which serves excellent tulang merah (bone steak) and mee goreng.
Industries
There are two major industrial zones within West Coast. The first, which is closer to the residential area, is largely involved in the port business. Here you find many import-export industries, with many car marts and warehouses. West Coast is the port that receives new, imported cars from overseas. An example of a car warehouse is Champion Motors.
The other industrial zone in West Coast is the Pandan Loop area, which specializes in packaging and manufacturing. Chocolates, drinks and snacks are made and packaged in Pandan Loop. Yeo Hup Seng's manufacturing and Singapore Food Industries, for example, are located here. There are also many electronics plants in West Coast. Your money is also made here, at the Singapore Mint.
More Info on West Coast |
More Info on West Coast |
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