LOCATION DECISION OF LOCAL SMALL AND MEDIUM MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Industries that existed before the industralization programme were few and domestic oriented. They were usually in the form of small establishment, of the household or backyard nature making salt, soya bean sauce, soap etc. to fulfil the basic needs of the growing population. Factories were located amidst densely populated regions and wherever land was cheap. Personal likes and dislikes of the landowner had also played a part in the siting of factories. Land allocated for industrial purpose was carried out in an unorganised and haphazard fashion. However from the 60's onwards, siting of industrial estates was carried out on a planned basis, guided by the Master Plan which controlled the land use in Singapore. While industrialization was progressing, urban renewal and redevelopment were carried out in the Central Area. In the process of redevelopment, the many small-scale operators scattered within the Central Area were asked to resettle. This study is an attempt to examine the locational requirements of these small industries. The survey carried out has shown that the proximity to labour supply overrides other locational factors. This has proven that the small indusrtries are mainly labour-intensive in nature.