PASIR RIS 21: A MODEL TOWN FOR SINGAPOREANS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

As the citizens of a country become more sophisticated and mindful of the events happening around them, more would want to be involved in issues that they have a stake in, be it in urban planning or in other policy making processes. Singapore is moving this direction in the 21st century where citizen participation is crucial in building up a country in terms of social cohesion between the government and the people. This can be witnessed in the drawing up of plans for Singapore 21 where five millennial ideals are set for the future of Singapore. Active citizenship is one of the ideals that the Singapore government has laid for the future Singaporeans. This is to encourage the people to get out of their comfortable seats and to be actively involved in their community. Public participation has thus become more and more crucial in the urban planning process of Singapore in this century. This study looks into the importance of public participation in the town planning process of Pasir Ris 21. Residents residing in Pasir Ris are surveyed with the objectives of finding the effectiveness of public exhibition as a tool of public participation and their attitudes towards public participation. The study reveals the reasons behind passive public involvement One of the reasons is that participation encouraged by urban planners is minimum. Recommendations are also made as to how the situation can be improved through the introduction of public dialogues and better feedback channels.