YAP Kheng Guan 叶庆元
The Public Service,
Accession Number 004022
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 12
Total Reels
- Kiang-Koh Lai Lin
Interviewer
- 08:09:34
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Loading...
Reel/Disc 2 of 12
Metadata
- 12 Oct 2015
Recording Date
- 00:40:29
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:36) Recollection of the living environment and the waterborne diseases and malaria in Paya Lebar and Geylang.
(0:03:07) Enjoying improved living conditions after his family shifted to a Housing Development Board (HDB) flat in MacPherson.
(0:09:15) His family moved to a bigger flat in MacPherson when he attended secondary school.
(0:11:07) His National Service (NS) was cut short prior to his posting to the Ministry of Environment (ENV) in 1975.
(0:15:52) He joined the Drainage Department at ENV. Planning for drainage infrastructure with Tan Gee Paw.
(0:22:13) The extent of flood problems in Singapore. Risks of flood-prone areas increased with urbanisation in Singapore.
(0:28:08) Talked about drainage issues in the Netherlands and the intensity of monsoonal rains in Singapore. Talked about land in Singapore in relation to tide levels and factors contributing to flooding in flood-prone areas.
(0:32:51) Efforts to counter flood problems caused by urbanisation and challenges faced.
(0:37:16) Implementation process for the 5- or 10-year plans rolled out by HDB involving moving squatters.
Recollection of the living condition in Kampong during the 1950s. Memories of the dirty drains and rivers, polluted water and air.
Recalled his totally different experience when the family had shifted to Housing Development Board (HDB) flat. Described how his 6 months National Service was shortened in order to serve in the Engineering Department at the Ministry of Environment, Public Work Department (PWD), Housing Development Board(HDB) and Jurong Town Corporation (JTC).
Described the first Drainage Master Plan started in 1975. Mr Tan Gee Paw was the head of the Department with many years’ experiences in the drainage system. Elaborated on the flood-prone situation in Singapore, water covering up to 3200 hectares.
Commented on Singapore with home-grown experts and they were able to work out the solutions coping with flood-prone areas. Compared the Dutch drainage system with Singapore situation. Why urbanisation was a worrying sign from the drainage point of view. What was the guiding principle when a new a HDB estates or a JTC Industrial plan had rolled out. How to ensure the drainage system as 5 years ahead of the new development. Glad that in Singapore different Ministries were able to work together to make sure modernisation could take place (before the head up). The Master agencies to roll out with their 5 or 10 years work plans. How they called for coordinating meeting for the support of the infrastructures. Described the Engineers work, as a new comer, he was fortunate to be able to work under Mr Tan Gee Paw, the head of the Department to see through the project life cycle.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
Reel/Disc 3 of 12
Metadata
- 12 Oct 2015
Recording Date
- 00:40:53
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
(0:00:46) Factors contributing to flood problems in Singapore, exacerbated by public housing projects and modernisation, and the emergence of flash floods.
(0:04:27) Staff mobilisation and learning from older technical staff.
(0:09:44) Measures of addressing drainage issues to pave the way for new developments.
(0:14:19) The contribution of Marina Barrage to the reduction of flood-prone areas.
(0:15:56) He was placed in charge of the Orchard area. His involvement in the design and construction of Stamford Canal and the Bukit Timah flood control scheme.
(0:24:29) Constraints to flood reduction in the Bukit Timah area and measures to address them by diversion and expansion. Details of the drainage expansion works.
(0:31:52) Statistics produced to show the drainage programme was working and limitations to the reduction of flood-prone areas.
(0:35:29) Extreme weather conditions and flood risks of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) underground facilities. Stairs and ventilation outlets as flood prevention measures.
Elaborated the existing problems besides the 10 years plan to prevent flooding. Described the flooding situation at Bukit Timah, Paya Lebar, Geylang, Jurong, Telok Blangah, Commonwealth, Queenstown, Lim Chu Kang , Chua Choo Kang, Serangoon and Potong Pasir.
Described the procedures & effective ways in mobilising the staff once the department was notified of the flood. How experienced the Technical staff was in predicting the problems. In early days, flooding was almost a way of life for Singaporeans.
How a master plan was rolled out to upgrade the drain or to raise the ground.
Described in the 70s to 90s, how the drainage programmes were being carried put in two phases. Firstly, to manage the areas already flooding. Secondly, to prevent new flood-prone areas, from 3200 hectares to less than 100 hectares, (1990s to 2000s). Marina Barrage project helped a lot.
Further described the Drainage Master plan. How Stamford Canal project was his most challenging project. Elaborated further on the flood situation in Orchard Road/Tanglin Road in 1975. Described the canal at Farrer Road, Dunearn Road at the valley and the Bukit Timah Canal. How in the last few years, the tracking of the flooding situation was done so closely that “when urbanization was up the flood-prone areas were down”.
Described how to maintain & protect the flood-proof MRT stations. How the team kicked in place a requirement for a protection system for underground structure to be flood proof, for example at Newton MRT station.
We will get back to your request within 5 working days
