PODIUM MEMORIES: A STUDY OF THE EVOLUTION OF THE HDB PODIUM-BLOCKS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

This dissertation has identified the HDB podium-block typology as a gap in research done about HDB. The HDB podium-block is defined as the retail podium with public housing tower, sited within the central area and built between 1968 and 1985. The author finds it uncanny that such a typology is prevalent in the private housing sector, yet is not only rare but possibly on the demise in the public sector. The re-emergence of a second generation HDB podium block outside the central area, completely different than the first generation, further questions the demise of the first generation as a typology. The intention of this dissertation is to trace the origins and evolution of the typology. The physical characteristics of the podium-block are analyzed to understand the dynamic of retail and community within. The impact of the changes made via upgrades to the podium-block will also be tracked to further understand the intentions of HDB. Through comparison with privately developed retail podiums, the dissertation will reveal the potential future of the HDB podium-block.