FLATTENING THE SOCIAL CLASS DIVIDE: THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF HAVING PUBLIC HOUSING IN PRIME AREAS ON SOCIAL CAPITAL

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a deeper understanding and analysis on the potentialities of having more public housing in the prime Central Business District Area of Singapore and its possible impacts on social capital.

This study utilizes a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative research comprises of in-depth interviews with Housing Development Board housing homeowners, some whom are living in the prime CBD areas, and some whom are not. Quantitative research was also conducted through a survey questionnaire with 200 Housing Development Board housing homeowners as well, of which 100 are living in the prime CBD areas, and 100 which are not. Through this survey, the respondents’ social capital levels were examined and compared between these two respondent groups, from four parameters of social capital identified in this paper – (1) Networks, (2) Trust and Solidarity, (3) Social Cohesion and Inclusion, and (4) Sociability. Survey findings revealed that generally, those residents living in public housing in prime CBD areas have a higher social capital as compared to those who are living in public housing in non-prime CBD areas. However, there were several inconclusive results gathered from the sociability component of measurement, due to statistical insignificance analysed. Nevertheless, an overall result trend gathered from other parameters still pointed towards higher levels of social capital in the former group.

The findings provide insights on the notion of having more public housing in prime CBD areas through ground-up people centric surveys and interviews. The results obtained from this study generally supports for more public housing in the prime CBD area due to higher social capital levels obtained, and facilitated the formulation of recommendations to guide urban planners and policymakers in their future decisions.