“Everything a town will need within walking distance”
That was the promise of Toa Payohʼs town centre when news about its development was unveiled in 1971. This space became the focal point of Toa Payoh New Town, Singaporeʼs second major public housing development after Queenstown. Toa Payohʼs residents were promised a virtually self-contained town, and a centre for social gathering. In the heart of the town was a central market, shopping arcades, a post office, a health centre, a hawkers centre, large air-conditioned restaurants, two cinemas, car parks and a bus terminus. A public library with a large fountain pool was also built. Just off the town centre, was also a park and sports complex. Besides a huge swimming pool and an outdoor sports stadium, Toa Payoh had its own town park, complete with a 27-meters tall observation tower.Some forty years on, this town centre has undergone massive changes, but remains a common space for those living in Toa Payoh. The fountain pool is gone, but the library remains. The car park has become a gleaming office tower cum air-conditioned bus interchange. The park still has its iconic observation tower, silently watching over the teeming shopping arcade and the people hanging out at the coffeeshops. Many of its residents, once resettled from kampungs, now call Toa Payoh their home.
Nguan’s images examine life as it unfolds in big cities today. His first collection of photographs, SHIBUYA, was named in the 2011 PDN Annual as one of the best photo books of the year. He attended Northwestern University in Illinois.
