WILL SMALLER HDB APARTMENTS TODAY LEAD TO A LOWER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SINGAPOREANS?

Abstract

This paper examines the supply trend towards smaller apartment size, in particular, the reduction of HDB apartment sizes. Focusing on the research objectives, it would investigate the correlation of HDB apartment sizes to residents’ quality of life. It would examine in detail, the size of an HDB apartment and its impact on residents’ satisfaction, the interior layout and its impact on residents’ satisfaction and housing attributes that shape residents’ satisfaction. The effect of household income and residents’ occupation on decision-making would also be analysed. Lastly, other neighbourhood and estate variables would also be reviewed. This study would be confined to 3-room, 4-room and 5-room HDB apartments and a questionnaire would be designed to collect information on residents’ satisfaction. It will focus on SERS estates, as this would give a comparative advantage in distinguishing old HDB apartments from newer ones. The research findings point towards the general direction that dwelling size does not have an impact on residents’ quality of life. This lack of correlation between size and satisfaction level indicates that the size of HDB apartments, by definition, does not have a significant impact, but rather, residents view housing needs in its totality. However, the size of the kitchen and living room were significantly correlated to residents’ satisfaction.

Thus, it is recommended, inter alia, that HDB gives greater flexibility to users to rearrange and increase the size of certain functional areas to facilitate social activities within a dwelling unit. It is hoped that the results and findings from this study would be useful for future formulation of public policies and planning in new HDB towns. The findings of this paper have important implications for policy-makers, planners and developers towards building a more sustainable living environment.