Measuring the liveability of Singapore living environment

Abstract

The concept of liveability has become increasingly important tool in enhancing its global competiveness. A liveable city can attract and maintain a healthy and productive workforce, attract local and foreign investment and generate tourism. Against the widening attention on liveability, this dissertation aims to measure and evaluate residents’ satisfaction with Singapore’s liveability performance. In this dissertation, liveability will be defined as a framework of conditions that is needed for people to experience a good living environment. Subjective measures were used to measure the liveability of Singapore living environment, particularly in the area of housing, environment and recreational facilities. Using a Likert Scale of 1-5, a total of 19 indicators were identified for assessing Singapore living environment. Of the 328 respondents, a large majority of 92.4% rated Singapore as a liveable city. In general, respondents were satisfied with Singapore living environment, with a mean score of 3.85. Public safety, cleanliness and quality of green space emerged as the top three most satisfied aspects of the living environment. Housing affordability was valued as the most dissatisfied among the respondents. Respondents had also ranked “Live-work-play” concept as the most important guiding principle for Singapore’s liveability. At a significance level of p<0.05, the variables that were statistically significant differences in the mean scores were race (p=0.000), religion (p=0.000), education (p=0.004), employment (p=0.042), personal income (0.000), household size (0.000) and residential type (0.001). Detailed demographic analyses are provided and implications and suggestions for future research are discussed in light of these findings.