THE IMPACT OF SPATIAL DESIGN ON SOCIAL INTERACTION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES

Abstract

This dissertation looks into the impact of spatial design on social interaction in the public housing estates in Singapore. Due to the low frequency and quality of social interaction currently existed in the public housing estates, the research is undertaken to find out relevant spatial designs, which have positive impacts on social interaction. Tiong Bahru Estate (TBRE) and Bukit Ho Swee Estate (BHSE) are carefully selected for analysis, and the research is based on several site visits and on site investigations. Spatial analysis for the two estates is provided in Chapter Four. It looks into the household density, secondary territory, public space, group size, mixed land uses and demographic analysis for the two estates. TBRE has lower household density, more semi-private secondary territories, smaller group size, more clustered public space, less forms of mixed land uses, and more young professionals, as compared to BHSE. Based on the spatial analysis, the impact on social interaction is analyzed in Chapter Five. Correlation tests and significant tests are provided, to prove the correlation between spatial design and social interaction, and the difference in frequency and quality of social interaction caused from different spatial designs. Some main findings are summarized as follows:  Large household density discourages interaction in secondary territories, while not being so significant in public spaces.  From semi-private secondary territories to semi-public secondary territories, social interaction declines along the line.  Public space encourages interaction, especially for the residents living in the surrounding blocks.  Similar to large household density, large group size has negative impact on social interaction in secondary territories.  Mixed land uses do not encourage interaction within commercial boundaries, but encourage interaction in the secondary territories and public spaces next to them.  Favorable spatial designs increase both frequency and quality of social interaction, but there is less impact on the quality of social interaction.  Non-spatial factors also have positive impact on social interaction, such as age, gender, and length of residence. In addition, the residents with similar social-economic backgrounds tend to interaction more.