THE IMPACT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON HDB ESTATE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS

Abstract

In recent years, the emphasis of the Housing and Development Board has shifted from that of mere provision of low-cost housing for the masses to that of community development and social management, the housing shortage having been eased considerably since the 1960's. As such, the Board faces an added responsibility in the area of estate management in its effort to ensure better quality living for its residents. Problems encountered by the area offices in the day-to-day management of the estates may appear to be common to all estates. However, a closer examination reveals that they do differ in the nature in which they occur. The causes of these problems and their differing nature in different estates are almost always related to the socio-economic characteristics of the residents; and this can be best illustrated by comparing the problems and the characteristics of an old and a new estate, on the hypothesis that they differ in these two respects. In view of the above, there appears to be a need for different management approaches to be adopted in each of these estates, with particular emphasis on the social aspect of estate management.