RECREATIONAL NEEDS AND RESIDENTIAL LOCATION PREFERENCE

Abstract

The vision of having high-rise city living was first proposed in the 2001 Draft Concept Plan. It sets the long-term strategic plan for Singapore and aims to create a livable city and offer Singaporeans a wide choice of comfortable housing locations and types. The Plan hopes to transform the city into a vibrant and bustling district throughout the day such that our scarce land resources may be fully utilized. The concept of living in cities has already actualized in many European and American cities and it can be envisaged that Singapore has the potential to develop along that line. This study attempts to explore Singaporeans' perceptions and preference towards city living and whether the recreational opportunities present is crucial in drawing Singaporeans to live in town. The current leisure activities available are examined and the different activities undertaken by Singapore of different demographic backgrounds are analyzed. It is revealed that Singaporeans showed an overall interest in undertaking leisure activities and regard it as an integral part of their life. The study on Singaporeans' preference for downtown living exhibited a positive find in that most Singaporeans across all demographic backgrounds showed a desire to live downtown and almost 60% of them are driven by the proximity to their recreational facilities. Hence, it supports the idea that Singaporeans desire to live downtown are driven by their demand for recreation and thus, more should be done to improve the recreational facilities in town so as to make city living a more complete experience for those who have the privilege to do so.