Toa Payoh, New Town

Toa Payoh (Chinese:大巴窑) is a Hokkien language reference to 'big swamp' (toa is 'big' and payoh means 'swamp'). The Malay word for swamp is paya. The reference indicates the large swampy area that preceded the later development of Chinese market gardens in this area. The Toa Payoh New Town, HDB's second satellite town, was built in 1968. The housing estate is self-contained and has a town centre acting as a focal point for the shopping and entertainment needs of the residents.