REVITALIZATION OF AN OLD PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE: A CASE STUDY OF QUEENSTOWN

Abstract

This dissertation aims to examine the revitalization of the old public housing estates in Singapore, using Queenstown as a case study. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Analysis focused on whether revitalization was successfully implemented in the old estates. Singapore's government policies that helped in guiding revitalization of old public housing estates were also discussed. Last but not least, residents' perceptions and experience on revitalization were investigated by conducting in-depth interviews with four families residing in Queenstown and a staff from the Housing and Development Board Research findings shown that with the help of the government, there were changes in the property values and profile of the residents. The property prices increased after the main upgrading programme in year 1993. There was also a trend of growing number of young people between the ages of 21 to 45 moving into the old estate. It was concluded that revitalization was successfully implemented to the old public housing estates. A greater mix in terms of income, racial and age groups was clearly discernible in the case study area. The street flavour, culture and community leadership of the estates changed due to revitalization. The property value of the study area had also appreciated. These changes are very similar to the consequences created by 'gentrification', which refers to a process in structuring the physical and social forms of the cities in the West.