Van Kleef Aquarium was an oceanarium located along River Valley Road, at the foot of Fort Canning Hill, in Singapore . Fully air-conditioned, the aquarium had 6,500 animals at the time of opening, which were housed in freshwater, seawater, and swamp tanks respectively.
29-563: The decision to develop the aquarium was made in 1935 by the Municipal Commission, as a way to use the money bequested to the Municipal Commission by Karel William Benjamin Van Kleef in 1930 for the "embellishment of the city". While the site and name of the aquarium were chosen by 1936, and plans for it drawn up in 1937, the aquarium was only approved in 1939 due to cost concerns. Construction subsequently began in 1940, but work
58-527: A quasi-municipal government until the City Council of Singapore was created in 1951. The commission elections took place in 1949 and 1950 with six divisions: This Singapore-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ministry of National Development (Singapore) The Ministry of National Development ( MND ; Malay : Kementerian Pembangunan Negara ; Chinese : 国家发展部 ; Tamil : தேசிய வளர்ச்சி அமைச்சு )
87-593: Is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies related to the land-use planning and infrastructure development in Singapore . The ministry was established after the 1959 legislative assembly elections . It was originally composed of departments previously under the Ministry of Local Government, Land and Housing, Ministry of Communications and Works,
116-517: Is responsible for policies on home ownership, public rental housing for low income families and the rejuvenation of older estates, amongst others. The Infrastructure Division works with the Building and Construction Authority to shape the built environment for Singapore via building safety, construction quality, sustainability of buildings and construction, and the usability of the built environment. The Infrastructure Division also develops policies on
145-411: The City Council and Rural Board (Architectural and Buildings Surveyors Section), and Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Fisheries, Veterinary Services and Rural Development). MND's key responsibilities include the planning, management and redevelopment of land resources and the development of public housing . The promotion of the construction, real estate and agrotechnology industries, as well as
174-476: The Ministry of National Development (MND) for the aquarium to be moved to Sentosa to be part of a proposed oceanarium, but the request was declined. From 1986 to 1987, the aquarium was renovated at a cost of S$ 750,000 over a period of 18 months, comprising structural works and the refurbishment of display tanks. Nevertheless, the aquarium was seen as not up to date to modern standards, especially in comparison to
203-412: The "embellishment of the city". The Municipal Commission convened a committee to make recommendations regarding the use of the money, and the committee sought suggestions from the general public. Among the suggestions made was one regarding building a public aquarium. In 1933, the committee recommended spending the money on either of two projects, the conversion of the old race course into playing fields and
232-852: The Eco-City Project Office, the Centre for Liveable Cities and the Internal Audit Unit. On 1 October 2014, the Municipal Services Office was set up under the Ministry of National Development, with the aim to improve the Government's overall coordination and delivery of municipal services. The Strategic Planning Division works with the Urban Redevelopment Authority to help Singapore meet its land use needs with respect to
261-548: The London Zoo, assisted in the organisation of the aquarium and advised on its maintenance. In October 1954, most of the fish in the aquarium tanks died due to high alkalinity of the water in the tanks, so the aquarium tanks were cleaned and changed to not incorporate any coral, which was found to contribute to the alkaline nature of the water. Initially expected to open in September 1954, the aquarium's expected opening date
290-565: The Van Kleef Aquarium commenced in 1952, with half of the costs borne by the City Council and on a new site. Collection of fish to stock the aquarium and of coral to decorate the aquarium tanks had started by January 1954. In addition, the City Council attempted to find a descendant of K.W.B. Van Kleef to open the aquarium, but the search was deemed too difficult and was called off, and Frederick Akhurst, an assistant curator at
319-415: The aquarium had two levels, with the air-conditioning systems and pumps were housed on the lower level, which was off-limits to the public. The upper level comprised several dimly lit rooms ringed by the aquarium tanks, as well as offices and an inquiry counter. The seawater tanks housed multiple types of fish, octopuses and other marine animals, with several tanks dedicated to sea anemones and turtles, while
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#1732783285090348-490: The aquarium underwent $ 30,000 worth of improvement works, which consisted of the addition of a new tank and a backup power generator, and the refurbishment of existing systems and tanks. The aquarium started selling sea water to marine fish enthusiasts in 1967, and remained largely popular with locals and foreigners in the 1970s. In March 1981, the Sentosa Development Corporation made a request to
377-566: The aquarium was subsequently transferred to another tenant in March 1993, reopening as the Fort Canning Aquarium later that year. The aquarium closed its doors for the last time in 1996, and the building was demolished in 1998. At the time of the aquarium's opening, it was stocked with around 6,500 fish of about 180 species, housed in three tanks, freshwater, seawater, and swamp tanks. With 1 in (2.5 cm) thick glass walls,
406-594: The completion of piling works due to the outbreak of World War II in Europe driving prices of construction materials up. In September 1949, an appeal was made by Roland Braddell, president of the Friends of Singapore, to build a cultural centre using the funds bequested by Van Kleef, instead of the aquarium, but the Municipal Commission decided to continue development of the aquarium in November that year. Construction of
435-525: The construction industry, sustainable development, accessibility, and building safety and quality. The Infrastructure Division also partners the National Parks Board to integrate Singapore's urban infrastructure and garden environments. Together, they develop policies on enhancing greenery infrastructure, encouraging community participation in greening, and developing the horticultural industry. They also take care of veterinary issues too after
464-517: The construction of an aquarium. In March 1935, the Municipal Commission decided on using the money bequested by Van Kleef to build an aquarium opposite the Raffles Museum , but this proposal was dropped in April 1935 owing to strong opposition. The government then offered an alternative site on the western slope of Fort Canning Hill between Tank Road and River Valley Road for the aquarium, which
493-691: The disbandment of Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority The Eco-City Project Office spearheads the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City , which seeks to address the challenges of sustainable development in a holistic and balanced manner. The Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) was set up in 2008 by the MND and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources . It is a research think tank that focuses on sustainable urban development. It seeks to understand Singapore's transformation in
522-690: The economy and living environment. It also comes up with policies relating to land use sales / planning, development control and the private property market. The Housing Division works with the Housing Development Board to plan and develop public housing towns that provide Singaporeans with affordable homes. The division's aims include community cohesion (by providing community spaces for interaction) and policies that support social objectives, such as racial harmony (Ethnic Integration Policy) and stronger family ties (CPF Housing Grant for those who live near their parents). The Housing Division
551-402: The freshwater tanks contained freshwater fish from Malaya and other parts of the world. Embellished with sand, rocks and corals, the tanks were connected to service passages to facilitate the maintenance and upkeep of them as well as their inhabitants. After the aquarium's refurbishment in 1987, it housed more than 6,000 animals, which were grouped into different themes. Piped music consisting of
580-552: The last five decades, and to create and share knowledge and urban solutions for "current and future challenges relevant to Singapore and other cities". The ministry oversees five statutory boards and three professional committees. These are: The Ministry is headed by the Minister for National Development , who is appointed as part of the Cabinet of Singapore . The incumbent minister is MP for West Coast GRC Desmond Lee from
609-577: The management and improvement of industry standards in the real estate agent industry also come under the purview of the ministry. The MND is also tasked with the development and management of green spaces , recreational infrastructure and the conservation of nature areas. It is also the ministry in charge of food safety , animal and plant health. The MND is made up of nine divisions: Strategic Planning Division, Housing Division, Infrastructure Division, Research & Strategy Management Division, Corporate Development Division, Corporate Communications Division,
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#1732783285090638-778: The sounds of the sea and light pop music was also played in the aquarium. Municipal Commission of Singapore The Municipal Commission of Singapore was a body created in 1887 by the British colonial government to replace the Municipal Committee that was created in June 1848. The role of the commission was to manage key services for the Town of Singapore , such as utilities, water services and urban planning. The body had commission board members internally elected but ceased from 1913 until 1949, after which it acted like
667-623: The then-new Underwater World , so MND closed the aquarium at the end of May 1991, intending to lease the aquarium building to private businesses to sell and showcase ornamental fish. The aquarium was subsequently handed over to a private company and reopened as World of Aquarium in October 1991. With aquatic murals painted at its entrance, the aquarium also sold aquarium fish and handled the import, export and breeding of tropical fish. World of Aquarium closed in February 1993 due to poor business, and
696-410: The water within the tanks was kept at a temperature of around 80 °F (27 °C; 300 K), and pumps kept the water in motion within the freshwater and saltwater tanks. The tanks were also connected to a water circulation system comprising two underground tanks, and the aquarium's roof was designed to collect rainwater, which was then filtered and diverted into these tanks. Fully air-conditioned,
725-464: Was accepted by the Municipal Commission in November 1935. The aquarium was named the Van Kleef Aquarium in September 1936, and plan for the aquarium were drawn up by 1937. Concerns over the cost of construction and maintenance of the aquarium delayed its approval, and the aquarium was only approved by the Municipal Commission in May 1939. Construction of the aquarium began in 1940, but work was stopped after
754-559: Was considered by the local government around the time of Singapore's centenary. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser claimed that these proposals were seen as meaningful and attractive, given the suitability of the fish in Singapore and Malaya to living in aquariums. When Karel Willem Benjamin Van Kleef, who had been a broker in Singapore, died in 1930, he left his fortune to the Singapore Municipality for
783-415: Was halted after piling was completed due to rising material costs, only resuming in 1952 on a new site. The aquarium opened in September 1955, after multiple delays and with part of the costs borne by the City Council, and had 150,000 visitors in its first three months of operation. The aquarium remained popular through the 1970s, but by 1991, despite having been renovated between 1986 and 1987 for $ 750,000, it
812-440: Was pushed back to April 1955 due to the death of the fish. A report by The Straits Times on the aquarium's lack of fish and a strike by City Council workers resulted in further postponement, and the aquarium eventually opened on 8 September 1955. After its opening, the aquarium performed above the City Council's expectations, receiving 150,000 visitors and raking in $ 40,000 in revenue in it first three months of operation. In 1961,
841-500: Was viewed as out of date and it closed in May 1991. The aquarium was subsequently reopened as World of Aquarium in October 1991, which closed less than two years later due to poor business, and again as Fort Canning Aquarium in 1993, but it eventually closed for good in 1996 and was demolished two years later. A public aquarium in Singapore was first proposed in 1922 by the Natural History Society of Singapore, and
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