Restoring kampung houses to keep Pulau Ubin’s rustic charm

The National Parks Board (NParks) will be rebuilding and restoring vacant kampung houses on Pulau Ubin, and developing a suite of programmes there for students over the next decade.

- Shermaine Ang

For a start, five houses on the island will be restored for community and commercial uses that retain their cultural significance.

For instance, they might be used by a kayaking tour company, or by heritage groups as a museum or a space for community activities.

Four houses, including a former bicycle rental shop, have been earmarked for rebuilding or restoration from 2025, and three of these were demolished earlier in 2024.

There are a total of around 70 houses on the island.

NParks is also rolling out a new initiative called Ubin School in partnership with Outward Bound Singapore and various primary and secondary schools, for students to go through experiential learning and environmental education programmes on Pulau Ubin. It is starting with seven programmes and hoping to engage 250 students a year.

These were among the plans for the next 10 years to preserve the island's rustic charm and heritage announced by National Development Minister Desmond Lee on Pulau Ubin on June 22 as part of The Ubin Project.