Bukit Batok is a fairly new and developed region which falls under the Bukit Batok Planning Area. The region was the base for several industries, including Ford Motor Works and Hume Industries in the 1950s. During 1970s, the region witnessed a development initiative from the government of Singapore, and by the 80s HDB estates started to develop in the area. Today Bukit Batok is a fairly developed region, and is mainly used for residential purposes. HDB estates, condominiums, apartments and other residential units have come up in a large way. The largest and most prominent among them is the Bukit Batok New Town area. Most of the residential units are 3 or 4 room flats, numbering up to about 31,000 and serving the residential purpose of about 120,000 individuals.
