RACIAL LIMITS AND ESTATE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

In the late '50s and early '60s various sections of Singapore's population were gathered in different pockets distinguishable by racial or dialect groups. There was, at that time, a lack of social cohesion and understanding among the various ethnic groups which culminated in the 1964 racial riots. Since then, through public housing programme and other measures, Singapore has succeeded in bringing all the races and social groups closer together. The balanced racial and social mix of the population which exists in most constituencies has helped in preserving racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore. Ensuring the continuity of a balanced racial mix in every public housing estate is hence, vital to ensure continuous racial integration and cohesion. In view of the current disturbing trend towards a regrouping of races in certain housing estates,-the racial limit ruling was introduced on 1 March 1989. Adopting a case study approach, this dissertation attempts to determine the factors affecting locational choice and to infer from these factors some possible reasons behind the racial regrouping problem and the implication of the racial limits ruling for estate management. The survey shows that there are other factors besides racial reasons affecting the locational choice of residents. Unless these problems are also tackled, the aim of acheiving a balanced racial mix in all public housing estates may not be feasible. Further, having a balanced racial mix in all housing estates by itself may not ensure racial cohesion and harmony. Changing people's attitudes and prejudices against those of a different race may be neccessary.