SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING

Abstract

Public housing is an integral part of national development in Singapore. It manifests a multitude of social issues and has left an indelible mark on the social dimension of the urban community. The rapidly changing social fabric plays a significant role in patterning behavior which will pervasively affect the kaleidoscopic nature of human relations and quality of life in a housing estate. It is thus essential that the Housing and Development Board (HDB), in its unceasing efforts to provide housing for the nation, recognises such diverse social implications. It is apparent that the HDB has incorporated elements of social planning into its housing programme. The emphasis has shifted from merely providing a roof to innovative planning and design. In consequence, the public housing programme has undeniably accelerated urban development and enhanced social welfare. The premise behind the precinct concept is that a conducive physical environment is an effective catalyst in generating social interaction. The physical setting is intended to create a salubrious environment for social interaction and community development. Social life in public housing estates has been criticised for its impersonality of human relations and the absence of neighbourliness. This study is an attempt to evaluate the validity of such an assertion and consequently, determine the degree of neighbourliness and social environment of a typical HDB precinct. Although the task of realising better community relations is not sin easy one, it is hoped that by having a better insight into the social interaction among residents, planners and policy makers involved in public housing will in the future be able to provide a more pleasant social environment. The results reveal that the extent of neighbouring interaction in the study area leaves much to be desired. Although it should be acknowledged that the provision of facilities has created the opportunities for residents to interact, in the final analysis, it is the residents who will determine the kind of environment they live in. Towards this end, efforts should not be confined to refining the physical environment but extend to promoting the residents' acceptance of community living in order to weave a stronger community fabric.