BUNGALOW CONSERVATION ON RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SITES

Abstract

The conservation of bungalows has not reached the level of awareness as that of the conserved shophouses in the renowned conservation areas and that of the national monuments. This is partially due to the insufficient scale in which bungalows are conserved; there is a lack of critical mass required to provide an area with a distinct character. Under the current planning and conservation guidelines, the URA further reduces this scale by allowing the excess land on certain sites with conserved bungalows to be developed to support high-density residential developments. From the analysis of rental returns and capital values, there is an indication that presence of a conserved bungalow does not enhance the adjacent new development on its site. And the case study indicates that the conserved bungalow depresses land value; the lower price to compensate the developer for the additional responsibilities required to undertake the conservation works. These results suggest that society does not appreciate or benefit from the presence of the conserved bungalow. Successful conservation takes into account the surrounding environment. The colonial bungalow represents living in the tropics; it should be conserved in its lush, green natural environment if society is to appreciate the cultural and architectural heritage it represents. In order for the conservation of the colonial bungalow to be a success, the negative image of conservation must be changed and new uses for the conserved bungalows employed.