TRANSFORMING PUBLIC HOUSING SPACE FOR THE AGEING COMMUNITY

Abstract

The thesis project is a critique on how the planning of spaces within public housing estates in Singapore will not adequately cater to the transforming community by 2030, specifically in terms of community aging as a whole. The current planning and layout of HDB precincts fulfils the functional purpose of housing the majority of the population, but is lacking in elements that contribute towards community life, in preparation for the age shift.

The current options of housing for the elderly are inadequate in providing essential factors for ageing in place to occur. For example, the method of destroying and renewing via the en block system that the government adopts is destructive to community life as estates lose the chance to mature and memories are lost. The project explores the integration of community spaces with a residential component into matured planning areas, inclusive of provisions to supplement the support network of medical, educational and recreational facilities. The density of public housing is increased to provide for the growth of the population, while established communities can continue to develop. With the preservation of familiarity of surroundings, the community is in a better position to allow residents to age in place.