NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS IN OLD HDB ESTATE

Abstract

The Housing & Development Board (HDB) since its initial establishment in the 1960s, has substantially enlarged its development objectives from providing acceptable living accommodation for Singaporeans to the social issues of public housing. Seven HDB surveys were conducted and neighbourly relations are found to be declining over the years. The kampong spirit has also started to diminish in importance. HDB is not the only government agency concerned with the problem of deteriorating neighbourly relations. The Residents Committees (RC) are also involved in fostering relations between neighbours. While HDB tries to encourage better relations by altering the physical built environment, the RC encourages interaction through participation in their activities. Although the means used are different, their aim is the same. In view of the problem of declining neighbourly relations, this study hopes to better understand the problem and to act as a useful reference material for planners and sociologists in the two government agencies. The extent and intensity of neighbourly relations prevailing in an old HDB estate is researched and analysed to better understand the issue. Neighbourly relations are found to be dependent on several demographic and socio-economic factors. The study also discovered that several facilities encourage or attract neighbourly interactions. Furthermore, a sense of belonging is revealed to have a close relationship between neighbourly relations.