City history
Discover how Jurong transformed from a landscape of swamps and farms into Singapore's premier industrial and manufacturing hub.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"Likely related to the Jurong River"
As a specific indigenous name for the district is not documented, the area is identified by its earliest name, Jurong, which refers to the river.
River area
Primarily an agricultural and swampy region before the rapid industrialization of the 1960s.
Chapter two
During the Japanese occupation of Singapore, local time was adjusted to Tokyo Standard Time to align with regional administrative requirements.
Singapore synchronized its standard time to UTC+8 to align with Malaysia, facilitating regional economic integration and commerce.
Chapter three
Following independence, the Singapore government initiated plans to transform Jurong from swamps into a major industrial estate to drive national growth.
The Jurong Town Corporation was officially established to oversee the development and management of Jurong's extensive industrial lands.
Large-scale manufacturing plants began establishing major operations in Jurong, cementing its role as a critical economic engine.