THE HDB CORRIDOR TYPOLOGY AS A SOCIAL CATALYST: SOLIDARITY, COHESIVENESS AND DESIGN

Abstract

The role of Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) corridor in promoting social interactions and cohesion among neighbours is a topic gaining attention in recent months. Complaints by discontented residents on the limitations of corridor size and typology has reached a national level, and articles pertaining to this issue have been published on various blogs, social network sites, and even the local newspaper, The Straits Times. While the concept of promoting solidarity has been addressed and tacked in the development of Singapore’s public housing since the 1960s, the approach has primarily been policy-based. Solutions implemented include the establishment of Resident Committees (RCs), National Integration Council (NIC), etc. that attempt to aid in the promotion of social cohesion among residents. While these policy-based solutions should be given their due credit, the investigation into the physical design of the HDB corridor as a social catalyst is clearly lacking.

This dissertation therefore aims to understand the validity and importance of the HDB corridor in promoting social cohesion and solidarity, and hypothesizes that corridor spaces reinforce solidarity. The proper physical design of such corridor spaces have the potential to increase cohesiveness among neighbours to a higher level than perceived today. Conversely, a neglect in this aspect, as is the case in many public housing developments today, would lead to rising social discontent and conflicts. This research develops by addressing the following questions. What is social cohesion? How can social cohesion promote solidarity? On the contrary, how can social conflict contribute to the growth of solidarity? Why is solidarity needed in this particular juncture of Singapore’s history? What is the relationship between social interactions and social cohesion? How can spatial forms of corridor spaces within HDB flats affect social cohesion and solidarity? In answering these questions, quantitative methods such as survey questionnaires and qualitative methods such as interviews are used to assess both the importance of the corridor space and quality of social interactions among neighbours. In addition, an analysis of a case study that presumably exemplifies the notion of prioritising the design of corridor spaces for the promotion of social cohesion is also conducted.

By investigating the relevance of the HDB corridor typology as a potential agent in promoting social cohesion and solidarity, it is hoped that this dissertation can value-add to the discourse of fostering cohesiveness within public housing, with emphasis on the physical design and expression of corridor typologies.