ADAPTING THE FUSED GRID MODEL TO IMPROVE THE FACILITIES PLANNING OF NEW TOWNS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The Population White Paper in 2013 announced that Singapore’s total population of residents would range between 6.5 and 6.9 million by 2030 (National Population and Talent Division, 2013). With this increasing population, Singapore has to relook into current housing models to accommodate such expansions in future. The concentric new town model adopted in Singapore poses a set of limitations that may not be able to cope with the increasing population and housing needs effectively, thus prompting the need for an alternative housing model. Therefore, this Dissertation seeks to explore and examine the Fused Grid model and how it is feasible to be applied in Singapore. Proposed as an alternative to current housing models in Singapore, it aims to resolve limitations posed from the existing model and become adapted to suit the local context. A review of literature provides a foundation in understanding the concentric model adopted in Singapore and the set of existing problems. Case studies were undertaken to understand how the Fused Grid was being implemented to new towns in Canada. Lastly, a personal interview was conducted to validate the research model and evaluate the feasibility of using the Fused Grid in Singapore. Qualitative analysis was subsequently carried out to identify key modifications to be done onto the Fused Grid model. The findings indicate that the Fused Grid model is feasible to be applied in Singapore through a series of modifications. It also reveals how the adapted Fused Grid resolves limitations posed by the existing concentric new town model and is a model that effectively maximizes land space for residential and commercial developments, offering opportunities for work, learn and play in a living environment. To conclude, the adapted Fused Grid is more suited to satisfy the lifestyle needs of the current generation of Singaporeans than the concentric model. Thus, this will help Singapore better meet the increasing housing needs and Government‘s aim of decentralization, such as inclusion of a sub-CBD area. A set of drawings of the modified Fused Grid model adapted to suit the Singapore’s context was also proposed. Finally, the limited number of people who were interviewed to validate the research model constituted to the key limitation of this study.