AN EVALUATION OF AMENITY CENTRES IN JTC INDUSTRIAL ESTATES

Abstract

Over the years, the JTC has moved from being task oriented to being customer focused, the mission which JTC's chairman, Mr. Wong Hung Khim re-emphasised in its latest financial report, 1996. Amenity Centres in JTC's industrial estates which incorporate eateries, retail and commercial space is yet another innovative move by JTC in trying to be more client oriented. The amenity centres were set up to make JTC's industrial estates more user-friendly by providing amenities at the doorsteps of the employees in the industrial estate. This is aimed at improving the quality of life of workers in JTC's industrial estates. The costs of building the amenity centres and the space forgone for production purpose are justifiable only if the amenity centres meet the needs of workers and fulfil JTC's objectives to enhance the worker's quality of life. The study examines the extent to which workers are satisfied with the amenities provided and examines ways to improve the functional value of amenity centres. Surveys were done on users, non-users of amenity centres and tenants operating in them. The study identified the different profiles of users who patronised the Kallang Sector Amenity Centre and the Tuas Amenity Centre. The study has derived some basic common demands among workers for amenities at their workplaces such as a convenient lunch place with a reasonable variety of food, banking and postal services. The findings would be useful to improve the viability of existing amenity centres and when planning for future ones in JTC's industrial estates.