PROPOSED TOWN COUNCILS IN HDB NEW TOWNS

Abstract

Highrise living has become a way of life for most Singaporeans. Over the past 25 years, public housing has sprung up throughout the country. These public housing estates have to be carefully maintained to prevent them from degenerating into modern slums as has happened in various countries. To this end, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has a mammoth task of managing over 500,000 flats housing about 82 percent of the population. Developing a community within Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates goes far beyond the mere provision of basic facilities, however, living together in high-rise public housing calls for high levels of cooperation, understanding and courtesy among residents. Residents should come together to resolve issues directly concerning their own environment. This is participatory democracy, where the community become actively involved in improving and enhancing its environment. The concept of Town Councils was mooted in December 1984, as grassroots organisational setups allowing community participation. Residents play roles in feedback, decision-making and implementation of management and maintenance policies in their towns. They would be moved to self-help and self determination regarding their own environment and lifestyles. This study attempts to examine the roles of Town Councils and also to provide rationales for their formation.