THE IMPACT OF SURROUNDING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES OF CONDOMINIUMS

Abstract

Recreational facilities are almost a must in most condominium developments, prompting many developers to provide a wide range of such facilities in their developments. However, recent trends indicate that buyers are exercising greater prudency in buying their house, preferring condominiums with minimal facilities, especially when other recreational facilities are within easy access. This study examines the effects of having recreational facilities in close promixity to other condominiums, and look at the necessity of providing a wide range of recreational facilities in condominiums surrounded by many other recreational facilities. It also attempts at studying if there are differences in the utilisation of recreational facilities in condominiums due to their differing locations. Four comdominiums - Bayshore Park, Clementi Park, Nims Gardens and St. Patrick's Garden were selected to carry out the survey for the purposes above. The findings indicate that the recreational facilities in condominiums located far from other recreational facilities are more utilised than those condominiums in close proximity to other recreational facilities. It is also found that there is no necessity to provide a wide range of recreational facilities in condominiums surrounded by many other recreational facilities and that minimal facilities (eg. swimming pool, tennis courts) would suffice and in fact be more desirable in such instances. There were indications that location alone does not affect utilisation of recreational facilities in condominiums as Singapore is too small to exhibit regional differences. The implications of the above findings are that developers and architects alike may now have a better understanding of the condominium market, and thus, with this knowledge, be more effective in the planning of future condominium developments.