URBAN DENSIFICATION OF SINGAPORE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF BUILT FORM ON THE CONSUMPTION PATTERN OF ELECTRICITY FOR COOLING AND LIGHTING

Abstract

The urban density of a city have vast impacts and influence on the typology of the built environment, and subsequently impacts the practice and pattern of resource use in relation to its constructing and operation. Singapore is a modern example of a compact industrialized city with its high density public housing. From its inception in the 1960s, public housing has continued to grow and develop to respond to the nations changing aspirations and affluence. Through the process of change, new typologies have emerged and has brought about substantial changes in how we live, work and play. Has the typology or the physical make-up of the built form we live in affected and influenced our activity? Or is it merely a product of policies and regulations of the times? What justifies the built form and how can we achieve a better balance? In today’s world and especially in industrialized regions, ‘greening’ has become a universally agreed agenda due to the ailing conditions of our environment. The issues are serious and would have vast impacts on our future generation. If there was a possibility of ‘conserving’ through design, and using built form to influence its occupants’ behavior, the art of a designer would have a far greater responsibilities then making form and space.