PRIVATE URBAN RENEWAL IN SELETAR HILLS ESTATE

Abstract

Private urban renewal is an ongoing process occuring in many older private residential estates. This spontaneous and privately initiated process involves either refurbishment or gradual redevelopment of properties. It helps to curb or reduce obsolescence that may be present in many buildings or houses. This study focused on only the refurbishment aspect. A survey and case studies were conducted in one of the typical older private residential estates in Singapore, namely, Seletar Hills Estate to examine the factors that affect property owners' decisions to refurbish in depth. The findings show that the predominantly high income residents of landed properties in the estate chose the location mainly because of its peacefulness , privacy and security of its neighbourhoods. The main reasons behind the owners' decision to undertake private urban renewal are to add more space, retard the property aging process and to increase the value of their houses. While it is observed that the ultimate decision to refurbish lies in the hands of private house owners. The Government should contribute to the process of private urban renewal by providing more incentives and encouraging better coordination among the owners.