COMMUNITY CITY LIVING : AGEING IN PLACE

Abstract

Singapore is facing a growing proportion of elderly as a result of declining birth rates, resulting in a quadruple increase by the year 2030. There are growing trends of younger couple moving out after marriage to set up their own families which contribute to elderly staying alone. This thesis will be based mainly on the Kreta Ayer estate in Chinatown as it represents one of the areas with the largest population of elderly people in Singapore. In the study of the existing estate there are lacks communal interaction spaces. Approximately 400 elderly are staying in Block 5 Banda Street, which makes up 80% the total residents. Majority of the elderly staying in this block are either living alone or living with their spouse. The setup of the block is such that it is made up of only one room flat. The living condition of block is poor, the double corridors are not well lighted, ventilated and not an elderly friendly environment. The thesis aims to propose a new residential and retail block to link with to the existing 1room flat, and do an addition & alteration to the Block 5 Banda Street to improve on the current condition. One of the project brief requirements is to intensify the activities by providing more communal spaces as a platform for the resident to interact. The residential units are arranged in a manner such that every six floors forms one cluster and they share a common activities space that are linked to the existing 1 room flat. The thesis will enhance family and community bonding of the Kreta Ayer estate in Chinatown and close the generation gap between the young and old. Encouraging younger couples to move back and stay near their parents, priority will be given to those whom their parents are living in 1 room flats. Enabling elderly to age in place and lead a better quality of life when they are encouraged to stay involved with the community. This framework of planning hopes to achieve an environment that reinforces the sense of security in the elders and a society that is supportive of their well-being in the late stages of their lives.