Kovan

This article is about the community in Singapore. For the community in the United States, see Kovan, West Virginia.
Kovan
Name transcription(s)
 • Chinese 高文
 • Pinyin Gāo Wén
 • Malay Kovan
 • Tamil கோவன்
Country Singapore

Kovan (Chinese: 高文; pinyin: Gāo Wén) is a suburb and part of Hougang, in the North-East Region of Singapore. It is part of Aljunied GRC. The area is a private housing estate, where majority of the residents live in terrace homes, semi-detached and bungalows. In recent years there are new condominiums constructed in the area.

Location

As part of Hougang New Town, Kovan is situated north of Serangoon, in the eastern part of Singapore, under the North-East Region. A relatively small suburb, its boundaries are unclear and not defined by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Possible boundaries include the intersection at Simon Road to the north, Charlton Road to the south and Hougang Avenue 2 to the east. It is also known as La gou jio in Teochew which mean six miles from the Fullerton Hotel.

Transportation facilities

The main road connecting Kovan to the other parts of Singapore is Upper Serangoon Road. Both Kovan MRT Station and Heartland Mall are situated along this major road. Nearby is the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway, which provides a direct route to the city area.

Public transport in Kovan is evident. It is served by Kovan MRT Station, which is just opposite to Heartland Mall. Kovan formerly had a bus terminal, which is now renamed Kovan Hub. However, many buses still pass through Kovan, as they ply through the main Upper Serangoon Road. The bus stop connected to Kovan MRT Station is a major one, and a relatively high number of buses pass through it.

Service Between And Notes
SBS Transit Trunk Services
80 Sengkang Bus Interchange HarbourFront Bus Interchange
81 Tampines Bus Interchange Serangoon Bus Interchange
82 Serangoon Bus Interchange Punggol Road End (Loop)
101 Serangoon Bus Interchange Buangkok Link (loop)
107 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Shenton Way Bus Terminal
107M Hougang Central Bus Interchange Marina Centre (Loop)
112 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Hougang Street 92 (Loop)
113 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Lorong Ah Soo (Loop)
115 Hougang Street 21 Hougang Ave 3 (Loop)
119 Sengkang Bus Interchange Hougang Street 21 (Loop)
136 Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange Punggol Bus Interchange
153 Hougang Central Bus Interchange Bukit Merah Bus Interchange

Former Bus Interchange

The former Hougang South Bus Interchange in Kovan

Hougang South Bus Interchange (Chinese: 后港南巴士转换站) was a bus interchange, located in Hougang Street 21, which ceased operations on 13 February 2004. It is now called Kovan Hub. The interchange's structure continues to stand pending a major redevelopment of the site. In the meantime, the vacated building is used to host exhibitions and for commercial purposes, and the bus lots as parking space.

Amenities

The main amenity in Kovan is Heartland Mall. Heartland Mall is well-served by a number of well-known outlets and shops, such as Popular, KFC, Sakae Sushi etc. Kovan Sports Centre is just across the road from Heartland Mall, which have eight sheltered indoor futsal courts. A bowling alley, Superbowl Hougang, is also near Heartland Mall.

Heartland Mall

There is also a neighbourhood park south of Heartland Mall Which is opposite Yuying Secondary School. There are also two community clubs in kovan, the Aljunied community club (Blk 110) and the Paya Lebar Kovan community club which is opposite Kovan Hub. A number of pubs and cafes like Grapevine Cafe Bar and Restaurant, O Bar, a Vegetarian Restaurant and other international eateries found in the area. There is also the Crocodile Farm nearby.

Schools

There is only one primary and secondary school in Kovan. These two schools are part of the 19 educational institutions in Hougang. There used to be several more schools located deep inside the housing estate and the surrounding area. These schools either closed down or moved. The last school to stop operations, Parry Primary School, closed down in late 2006.

Serangoon Secondary School (moved to Hougang North)

Places of worship

Politics of Kovan

Although Kovan is considered part of Hougang, it is in fact part of Aljunied GRC, and not the other 4 political divisions in Hougang. As part of Aljunied GRC, it has witnessed a colourful history.

Housing

Kovan as part of Hougang was traditionally an area associated with the Teochew community. A number of road names at Kovan commemorate the more prominent members of this community. The main type of housing in Kovan are landed homes with the majority being in the Kovan, Rosyth and Hillside housing areas. The condominiums Kovan Melody, and Kovan Residences are on the main road, directly opposite the Kovan station. Another condominium, which is currently under construction is Kovan Regency, which will be beside Kovan Residences.

See also