CULTIVATING ECO-FRIENDLY BEHAVIOUR IN GREEN HOMES: A REAL ESTATE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

In the face of increasing environmental issues, real solutions are essential in ensuring future sustainability. This has prompted the uprising of eco developments in many countries. The Singapore government has also embarked on several schemes to encourage energy efficiency in local buildings. One of such movements is the introduction of green features into future public flats. The first eco-precinct equipped with such facilities, Treelodge@Punggol, was erected to help reduce utility usage and inspire its residents into becoming more eco-friendly. Notably, raising awareness alone is insufficient for making concrete behavioural changes. Hence, incorporation of eco-friendly features in living environment may induce greater likelihood of achieving a positive result. This study aims to find out whether individuals would adopt eco-friendly behaviour upon residing in a green environment. By gathering information from surveys and actual energy consumption data from developments with and without the eco features, comparison of the green activities and attitudes between the respondents can be made. The overall research has shown that the eco residents are indeed more eco-friendly in aspects such as energy savings done at home and general green practices like recycling activities. However, the study revealed that eco residents have failed to display similar positive responses in involvement of external green projects. From the demographic data retrieved, it is found that age has little impact on green behaviour seen in the eco respondents. Conversely, income and education would contribute to green actions if one were to reside in a green housing development.