IS SINGAPORE’S TOWN PLANNING SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING AGEING IN PLACE?

Abstract

Singapore is undergoing a demographic shift, where 25% of the population is predicted to be aged 65 years and above by 2030. With an impending aged society, it is imperative that the planning of new towns cater to the changing physical, social and healthcare needs of the elderly to allow them to age-in-place. To be able to plan for an aging-friendly neighbourhood environment in the future, we must firstly learn from the pros and cons of the planning models which have been adopted in Singapore. Therefore, this dissertation aims to understand the effectiveness of Singapore’s town planning models in enabling senior citizens to age-in-place. Hence, a comparative case study of Cheng San subzone in the Ang Mo Kio new town and Waterway East subzone in the Punggol new town was undertaken. Hence, quantitative data on the built environment as well as qualitative data on seniors’ satisfaction levels with their neighbourhood environment was collected through semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that in both town planning models, seniors were concerned for the safety within the neighbourhood due to fear of collision with cyclists. Additionally, there was a disparity in the ease of mobility within the neighbourhood, which was found to be dependent on level of functional mobility. The amenities in Punggol were also criticised as being inaccessible. Learning from these findings, recommendations for future new town planning includes implementation of wheelchair charging stations, segregation of pedestrian and cyclist paths and decentralisation of commercial amenities into residential estates.