CANOPIES BY THE PARK - NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

This thesis proposes an alternative housing type for low-income elderly with agriculture background in the neighbourhood parks of Singapore. The low-income elderly are generally alienated and stigmatised by the main stream society, having the image of being weak, dirty and useless, thus being a burden to the society. The help given to them are mainly governmental housing and financial aid, donations and voluntarily work. However, most of these elderly are still able-bodied and willing to work. Unfortunately, a majority of them remained unemployed because their skills are no longer relevant to the rapid modernising economy. Due to poor family support and without sufficient activities, they lack social interaction, thus often left isolated within their dwelling, falling into a depressive state. The current model of high-rise rental flats further amplified this problem with its cold corridors and shut doors. Among the low-income elderly living in one and two room rental flats, this thesis identified that an estimated number of 5,493 elderly (aged 65 -75) were involved in agriculture activities back in the 1960s to 70s, forming about 20% of these low-income elderly. The thesis aims to change the general social perception about these low-income elderly and re-integrate them back into the society not on compassionate terms, but on a mutual level. It proposes to house them in park and give them the job of gardening, in which they could beautify the park, thus showcasing their contribution to the society. Bishan Park 2 has been chosen as a site to explore this possible integration of the contradictory public and private relationship between housing and park, where these old folks could become part of the landscape.