QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS IN SINGAPORE NEW TOWNS

Abstract

Quality of life is a seemingly simple yet abstract concept. This dissertation operationalizes this concept by identifying 56 indicators to measure quality of life in five Singapore new towns. It is necessary to devise such a set of indicators to cater for the unique characteristics of the new towns here. It is recognized that both the personal, people-centred dimension and the objective assessment are crucial to yield results that are truly reflective of the actual quality of life. This is thus the fundamental principle in computing the score for all these indicators. Among the five new towns, Tampines has the highest score and is ranked the top. As such, it has the highest quality of life. This is followed by Clementi, Bukit Merah and Yishun. In the last position is Ang Mo Kio. When two other alternative methods of computation are incorporated, die top three positions are changed. This demonstrates that the score and ranking is very much dependent on methods used and the purpose of the measurement. This study is relevant to three classes of people: individuals, businessmen, and the planners. A review of the quality of life in these new towns reflect both individual needs and aspirations as well as the external environment which gives a holistic or integrated appraisal of this concept. In our quest to improve our quality of life, the challenge is to continually identify new indicators to adequately represent the changes in the community and lifestyle.