HIGH-RISE HIGH-DENSITY LIVING VERSUS LIVEABILITY

Abstract

Being the nation with the 3rd highest population density in the world, Singapore has to maintain its liveability for her people in order to compete economically with the rest of the world. Housing provision is an important consideration when it comes to accommodating more population in the future. High-rise high-density living has always been the normal trend in Singapore, but will it affect liveability of people’s homes? How does Singapore provide good homes to people while providing more homes? This study seeks to find out if high-rise high-density living would affect liveability and how it can maintain liveable for the people. A comparison of the physical built forms and features of high-rise high-density living between the old and new precincts in Singapore was carried out. Three precincts selected are Block 401-409 Clementi Avenue 1, Block 257-259C Compassvale Gardens in Sengkang, and Block 453-462B Clementi Heights in Clementi. Surveys were also carried out in the respective precincts to determine if residents are satisfy with the comfort of living with respect to the high-rise high-density environment there. Findings show that the Housing & Development Board (HDB) has implemented different approaches throughout the years in designing the precincts to find the best fit for people to live in. In general, public housing residents are satisfied with their living environment. Residents who have experienced living in en-bloc precinct and are now living in higher-rise higher-density precinct prefer their current homes as many living aspects have improved. It is safe to conclude that high-rise high-density living does not affect liveability in a negative way in Singapore.