A series of talks on Singapore’s spatial and aviation history, maps, heritage addresses and OneMap were held as part of the Singapore Land Authority’s 20th Anniversary celebrations during #SgGeoFest on the 17^th September.

In his talk, “The Uses of Ephemera”, Dr Lai Chee Kien discussed how materials such as street directories, postcards and pamphlets can aid the understanding of spatial history.

Mr Ng Ching Huei from the National Heritage Board shared his experiences interpreting past addresses, comprising house numbers and colonial names of streets during his session on “Remembering Singapore Landscape of Yesteryears: Through the Lens of Heritage Addresses”.

In his session, “Virtual Tour: The Development of the Old Kallang Airport”, Heritage Researcher Jerome Lim brought viewers on a virtual visit of the Old Kallang Airport. Touted as the most modern aerodrome at its opening in June 1937, the state property was considered by aviation legend Amelia Earhart as "the peer of any in the world".

Mapping and GIS Consultant Mok Ly Yng discussed John Turnbull Thomson’s mapping work in his presentation, “Thomson's Maps of Singapore”. Thomson had served as the Government Surveyor of the Straits Settlements from 1841 to 1855. This year – 2021 – marks the bicentenary of his birth and the 180th anniversary of his official appointment to the post.

Mr Wee Kit Bian from BLK.SG Pte Ltd discussed how OneMap.sg can be used to find barrier-free routes or covered linkways to allow for more accessible, faster and cheaper routes during his session “Mapping your Town with OneMap”.

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Dr Lai Chee Kien

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Mr Ng Ching Huei

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Jerome Lim

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Mr Mok Ly Yng

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Mr Wee Kit Bian

View recordings

The Uses of Ephemera by Dr Lai Chee Kien: https://youtu.be/iPEahRA73nQ
Remembering Singapore Landscape of Yesteryears: Through the Lens of Heritage Addresses by Mr Ng Ching Huei: https://youtu.be/5fD2yy20ovs
Virtual Tour: The Development of the Old Kallang Airport by Jerome Lim: https://youtu.be/NS6usJkv1pA
Thomson's Maps of Singapore by Mok Ly Yng: https://youtu.be/oz6j7I7T_a4
Mapping your Town with OneMap by Mr Wee Kit Bian: https://youtu.be/ptENwuYX-fs