CREATING LIVELY STREETS: A STUDY OF COMMERCIAL CENTRES IN 3 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES

Abstract

In Singapore, majority of the population live in public housing and formal public spaces like commercial centres are carefully planned by the authorities. Town centres, neighbourhood centres and estate malls serve resident’s needs by providing them with essential goods and services. It is also envisioned to be a place where people living within the vicinity would come together and socialize. However, street life at commercial centres varies from lively to almost non-existent, depending on which neighbourhood one is in. Street life is important because it can be used as a marker to determine the social climate of society - whether people are friendly because of frequent interaction with each other. It can also be used to determine how well designed a place is. It allows us to see planning ideas translated to practice and how people use spaces. Social stability is important and by examining what makes certain commercial centres more successful than the others, we can create future commercial centres that would be livelier and foster stronger community bonds.