URBAN FARMING AND COMMUNITY BONDING: A CASE STUDY OF BUKIT PANJANG PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE

Abstract

In a small city like Singapore, majority of the people are living in a high-rise environment. However, as a measure to tackle the imminent aging population, approximately 6.9 million people will be calling Singapore their home by the year 20301. This increase in population will raise the reliance on vertical living, which no doubt helps to alleviate housing issues but consequently, it may also deepen social isolation within the various communities. This dissertation looks into urban farming in Bukit Panjang’s public housing estate as a means to bring residents of similar interest together. Community gardens are known for promoting community bonding along with several other benefits through sharing, learning and helping one another. Through residents of Bukit Panjang, this paper seeks to understand the factors that will affect the extent of such benefits reaped by its residents. As a projection into the future, urban farming could present a possibility for future public housing estates to promote community bonding in high density, high rise living environment.