page_title: Architecture of Dakota Crescent
section_title: Architecture and Surrounding Features
hierarchical_section_title: Architecture of Dakota Crescent / Architecture and Surrounding Features
caption_attribution_description: English: 2-storey shophouses
context_page_description: Dakota Crescent is one of the oldest public housing estates in Singapore. It is located to the south of Old Airport Road in the Old Kallang Airport Estate. On 25 July 2016, the Housing and Development Board announced its plans to refurbish Dakota Crescent as a site for ‘future residential development’. All its residents have relocated on 31 December in the same year.
context_section_description: The neighbourhood had 4 different types of blocks – "pi-shaped blocks (butterfly- shaped blocks)", 3-storey walk up apartments, 7-storey slab blocks and a 2-storey shop house. The pi-shaped block has a partially enclosed yard between the two ‘wings’. The butterfly blocks were designed this way to allow for better ventilation for the units in between the two wings. The shorter blocks are lined up along Dakota Crescent and brings ‘the scale of the closer to the ground’. The rest of the blocks surround spacious square courtyards, where the dove playground is built.
  These areas allowed the community to interact and was a common space for various community activities. Many residents recalled meeting their childhood friends at the dove playground. Parents would monitor their children from above in their flats in the butterfly blocks and the sound of children playing at the playground gave them reassurance that their children were safe. As residents of different races and dialects lived together in the same block, many who grew up in Dakota could understand the multiple dialects and languages.
  Compared to other housing estates in its time, Dakota Crescent was built in a unique architecture where there are many open spaces in between the blocks. This allows Dakota Crescent to maintain its iconic streetscape. However, in view of land scarcity in Singapore, Dakota Crescent has to be demolished to make way for future land needs. It is speculated that the land area would be used for interim purposes such as student hostels, workers’ dormitories, etc. Dakota's prime location – close to the city – makes it a good area for future urban developments.
  Geylang River runs nearby to Dakota Crescent. It too, has a rich history. In the 1840s, there were many kampong villages situated on the river bank. Many Dakota residents recall occasions where crocodiles were spotted crawling out of the river and near their homes. Also, at night, the area behind the canal had a peaceful atmosphere. Today, efforts are put in to extend and deepen the river. It is expected that its increased drainage capacity would be a protection against floods in future. The river runs along a park connector to provide for family activities for the nearby residents who are currently staying in condominiums beside Dakota Crescent today.
  Today, Dakota Crescent provides a combination of the old and the new. At one end of the street, old Housing and Development Board(HDB) blocks still exist, while new high rise condominiums stand at the other end. 4/5 of the blocks in Dakota have already been demolished to make way for the condominiums Dakota Residences and Waterbank at Dakota. Schools that are located in close proximity to these residences include Broadrick Secondary School, School of the Arts, and Etonhouse International School. Dakota Crescent has become increasingly accessible, with two nearby MRT stations- Dakota and Mountbatten. Today, Dakota Crescent is almost like a dead estate even though modern shops such as NTUC and other basic amenities line the road opposite of the estate.
  In addition, the popular Old Airport Road food centre at the same area provides for the main source of dining for the residents today. It was constructed in 1973 and is also a famous hotspot for tourists to taste delicious local food today. This popular tourist destination could be one of the main reasons why Dakota Crescent was brought to the attention of many today.
  While there are plans to conserve this old piece of history, some others argue that there is a need to inject life and activity into this ‘dead town’.
caption: 2-storey shophouse
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