A STUDY ON THE NECESSARY CHANGES NEEDED TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE, LOCAL LAWS AND PERSONAL ATTITUDES IN REDUCING PRIVATE VEHICLE OWNERSHIP IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This dissertation examines the apparent odd situation in Singapore, a small islandstate in Asia that ironically has a high demand for and ownership rates of private vehicles. This is despite the fact that high prices and various taxations have over the years been imposed to curtail the affordability of ownership and usage of private vehicles in Singapore. Ironically, the demand for private vehicle ownership has not quelled but on the contrary, remained high. In fact, the demand for private vehicle ownership has always been around in the Singaporean context as though it is almost a necessity. Why then would a small island state like Singapore require such high numbers of private vehicles? What had shaped the need for private vehicles in Singapore? This paper therefore seeks to unravel this mystery and find means to reduce the unnecessary vehicular emissions by suggesting ways that can collectively make an impact in reducing the carbon footprint of Singapore, mainly through changes in the infrastructure, local laws and on a more personal note, individuals’ personal attitudes towards private vehicle ownership. By drawing a leaf from other successful case studies in other parts of the globe as well, it is believed that academic researchers and even policy makers, especially those from Singapore, will find this an interesting and useful read that will certainly provide much food for thought for them in their policy and decision making. It is in the hope of making positive environmentally friendlier changes to Singapore as a Singaporean who also owns and drives a private vehicle myself that this dissertation topic was conceived. In so doing, it is perhaps, idealistically speaking, one step closer towards creating a truly clean and green Singapore, a Singapore which policy makers have always been working towards - a green city that nestles in the garden, with pockets of green lungs across the country and a reduced carbon footprint as it continues to progress and urbanise into the future.