Bedok, Singapore

The Bedok Planning Area (Simplified Chinese: 勿洛, Traditional Chinese: 勿洛, Pinyin: Wù Luò, Malay: Bedok, Tamil: பெடோக்) is the largest residential town in eastern Singapore, covering a total land area of 21.69 square kilometres. With a population of approximately 278,330 as of 2020, it is also one of the most densely populated planning areas, with a density of about 12,800 persons per square kilometre¹. Bedok falls within Postal District 16, which also covers areas like Upper East Coast, Tanah Merah, and Bayshore.

History of Bedok

The history of Bedok dates back to pre-colonial Singapore. The earliest mention of “Bedok” appeared in the 1604 map by Malay-Portuguese cartographer Manuel Godinho de Erédia, where the coastal area was marked as “Sune Bodo.” In Malay, “Bedok” may derive from the word bedoh, a type of drum used in mosques to signal prayer times². Another explanation is that it refers to the Malay word bedok meaning “cooked rice.” In the 1960s and 1970s, Bedok was mainly agricultural land with fishing villages and coconut plantations. Modern development began in 1979 when the Housing and Development Board (HDB) launched Bedok New Town, which has since grown into Singapore’s most populous residential town.

16 Bedok South Road signage (29 July 2006)

Name and Pronunciation

“Bedok” is pronounced as Beh-dok in English, with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) pronunciation /bəˈdɒk/. The name retains its Malay origins and remains one of the few Singapore place names unchanged from pre-colonial times.

Geography and Boundaries

Bedok is situated in the East Region of Singapore, with several adjoining planning areas: Marine Parade to the west, Geylang and Paya Lebar to the northwest, Tampines to the north, and the Singapore Straits to the south. Its coastal frontage gives residents direct access to East Coast Park and coastal amenities.

Subzones of Bedok

Transport and Accessibility

Bedok is highly accessible by road and rail. The East Coast Parkway (ECP) runs along its southern edge, linking it to the Downtown Core and Changi Airport. Other key roads include Changi Road, East Coast Road, and Jalan Eunos, which connect Bedok to neighbouring towns.

MRT Connectivity

Bedok is well served by MRT lines:

East West Line (EWL): Bedok, Tanah Merah, and Kembangan stations.
Downtown Line (DTL): Bedok Reservoir, Bedok North, and Kaki Bukit stations.
Future stations on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) such as Bayshore, Bedok South, and Sungei Bedok will further enhance connectivity³.

Residential Real Estate

Bedok offers a diverse housing landscape, ranging from affordable HDB flats to luxury condominiums along the East Coast. As of 2024:

A 4-room HDB flat (about 1,000 sq ft / 93 sq m) typically costs SGD 600,000–750,000.
Condominiums near East Coast Park, such as Bayshore and Laguna Park, average around SGD 1,700–2,300 per square foot, making a 1,200 sq ft (111 sq m) unit cost between SGD 2.0–2.7 million.
Rental rates for a 3-bedroom HDB flat average SGD 2,800–3,500 per month, while private condos of similar size rent for SGD 4,000–5,200⁴.

Compared to central planning areas like Rochor and Novena, Bedok remains relatively more affordable while still offering coastal living and abundant amenities.

Interesting Sights and Attractions

Bedok is rich in recreational and lifestyle attractions. Some highlights include:

East Coast Park: Singapore’s largest park, ideal for cycling, picnics, and water sports.
Bedok Reservoir Park: Popular for jogging, kayaking, and dragon boat races.
Bedok Town Centre: Home to Bedok Mall, Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, and Heartbeat@Bedok, a large integrated community and sports complex.
Siglap: A food haven known for its cafés, eateries, and late-night dining spots.
Tanah Merah Coast: A scenic waterfront area with golf clubs and leisure facilities.

Community and Lifestyle

Bedok has a strong community identity, with numerous schools, sports facilities, and healthcare centres. Schools such as Temasek Junior College, Bedok Green Secondary, and Anglican High School are located here. The area is also home to diverse food choices, from famous hawker centres like Fengshan Market (“Bedok 85”) to modern cafés and international dining options. Its blend of coastal living, parks, and amenities makes it highly attractive to families and retirees alike.

Fun Facts

One fun fact is that Bedok has the highest number of hawker centres in Singapore, reflecting its reputation as a food paradise⁵. Another interesting point is that Bedok New Town was once the largest housing project ever undertaken by HDB when it was first developed in 1979.

Quick Facts

Size: 21.69 sq km
Population: ~278,330 (2020)
Population Density: ~12,800 people per sq km
Postal District: 16
Established: Bedok New Town developed in 1979
Name Origin: Malay word “bedok,” meaning drum or cooked rice
Pronunciation: Beh-dok (/bəˈdɒk/)
Main MRT Stations: Bedok, Tanah Merah, Kembangan (EWL); Bedok North, Bedok Reservoir, Kaki Bukit (DTL); Bayshore, Bedok South, Sungei Bedok (TEL, future)
Main Expressways: East Coast Parkway (ECP)
Highlights: East Coast Park, Bedok Reservoir, Bedok Mall, Fengshan Market
Average Housing Prices: HDB 4-room ~SGD 600k–750k; Condominiums ~SGD 1,700–2,300 psf

Map of Bedok, Singapore

MRT stations in Bedok

Bayshore MRT Station (GPS: 1.31359, 103.94085)
Bedok MRT Station (GPS: 1.33977, 103.93393)
Bedok South MRT Station (GPS: 1.31741, 103.94844)
Bedok North MRT Station (GPS: 1.3348, 103.91785)
Bedok Reservoir MRT Station (GPS: 1.33652, 103.93287)
Kaki Bukit MRT Station (GPS: 1.32045, 103.93555)
Marine Terrace MRT Station (GPS: 1.30958, 103.92896)
Siglap MRT Station (GPS: 1.30958, 103.92896)
Sungei Bedok MRT Station (GPS: 1.32087, 103.95817)

Apartments, Condominiums and HDB Flats in Bedok

Aquarius By The Park (GPS: 1.33842, 103.9351)
Archipelago (GPS: 1.33832, 103.91955)

Markets, Hawker Centres and Food Courts in Bedok

Blk 16 Bedok South Road Market & Hawker Centre (GPS: 1.32045, 103.93555)

Sights in Bedok

Bedok Reservoir Park (GPS: 1.33977, 103.93393)

References

Page Details

This page was created on 6 September 2025. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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