QUALITY OF LIFE OF PRIVATE ESTATE RESIDENTS IN MOULMEIN DIVISION

Abstract

The quality of life (QOL) depends on a wide range of different components and it varies across individuals. This dissertation aims to measure the quality of life of the private estate residents in Moulmein Division using "subjective" social indicators. Subjective social indicators are concerned with how the individuals of a society perceive his or her own quality of life and this approach relies mainly on primary data. A total of 14 domains of life were identified for the study and respondents were asked to rank them in terms of the level of importance and satisfaction. The overall life satisfaction was also tested within different demographic groups. There was some significant relationship found between overall life satisfaction and certain demographic characteristics such as income, education and health. In general, respondents were quite satisfied with their overall life or life as a whole in Singapore. Among the 14 domains of life, they were most satisfied with their family life, health and life in Singapore's environment. The study also examined the social aspects of life of the private estate residents and the roles played by the Moulmein Private Estate Co-ordinating Committee in improving the QOL of the residents. It was found that residents were not that keen in participating in the activities that were organized for them. There was also a comparison of the types of interaction with neighbours between residents in public and private housing. It was found that residents in private housing hardly made any effort to interact with their neighbours. The physical planning aspects of the Novena planning area were also analyzed such as expanding commercial development, increase in plot ratio, having good transportation links, accessibility to medical centres, schools and recreation facilities which could improve the QOL of the residents. Four multi-dimensional facets were identified, namely, the political-economic, the scientific, the ethicmoral and the aesthetic dimensions which will affect the QOL of the people.