ANG MO KIO NEW TOWN : A CASE STUDY IN THE HDB UPGRADING PROGRAMME

Abstract

Upgrading of old estates will become the main thrust of Housing And Development Board's (HDB) development efforts in the 90s. This rejuvenation exercise will go beyond the cosmetic level. The Upgrading Programme sets out to transform the whole concept of public housing. The older HDB estates will be upgraded to standards close to that of private condominiums in terms of quality, attractiveness, privacy and exclusivity. This Upgrading Programme is comprehensive as it encompasses three key areas of improvements - within the flat, in the block outside the flat and in the precinct outside the block. This dissertation is a case study on the upgrading of Ang Mo Kio New Town. It covers the policy perspective of the Upgrading Programme and the residents' choice of improvements. The study shows that residents are more aware of their living environment and that they demand a high standard of improvements in the precinct. Another important finding is that, regardless of room types, residents place first importance to have their own flats upgraded before any other areas are improved. It is hoped that in knowing their preference, the HDB would take them into consideration so as to create a precinct recognisably different from the others.