PUBLIC HOUSING IN ASEAN : A GEOGRAPHICAL SYNTHESIS

Abstract

The provision of housing for the millions of poor residents, many of whom have been migrants from the country-side, constitutes one of the most serious problems of development in practically all the ASEAN states. The fundamental dilemma is that, on the one hand, the government lacks the commitment, expertise and cannot afford the resources commensurate with housing need, and, on the other hand, the great majority of the urban population is too poor to build adequate housing without public assistance. The main objective of this study is to provide a comparative synthesis of the ASEAN Government's responses to the housing need in terms of the policies formulated, programmes implemented, institutions created and resources allocated. A comparison of their performances has also been attempted. In terms of the varying degrees of government response, the countries are divided into two categories. The first group, consisting only the city-state of Singapore, is a symbol of success and has much to offer as guidelines-for housing development in the second group which comprises Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. It has been found that the approaches adopted by the second group, right up to the early 1970s, were inappropriate and ineffective. Policy failures are readily available and the performances are dismal. Singapore, on the other hand, has been highly successful in the making of an efficient housing programme and has the following lessons to offer : (1) Housing standards have been consistent with prevailing income levels; (2) Buildings are designed with flexibility to meet changing demands and with consideration of different cultural patterns; (3) Public housing has been located near employment opportunities and has usually been cognizant of transportation; and (4) Rousing estates have been large enough to include the provision of basic social amenities. Increasingly, policy trends of the second group signal more realistic government commitment in the form of administrative reorganisation, allocation of more resources to housing and the adoption of more realistic approaches. The trend is, hence, towards the formulation of efficient housing programmes. Finally, it has also been found that a long-term solution can only be achieved if housing policies are complemented by other policies such as family planning policies as well as integrated rural development programmes.