IMPORTANCE OF THE MAIN UPGRADING PROGRAMME TOWARDS QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

large scale, spatially representative sample survey of 200 respondents from 10 different areas around Singapore was conducted in December 2003. These 200 respondents were divided between residents' who have experienced Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) and another half who have not experienced. It was used to measure the importance of the MUP towards the quality of life (QOL). The study identified the following set of domains of life: family life, social life, working life, religion, leisure, shopping and consumption of goods and services under the social component, personal health, health care, education and self development under health and education component, material wealth under economic component, and government and town councils under the political component. As for the physical and environmental component, the domains include housing, public services, infrastructure and convenience. These domains of life were indicators for overall life satisfaction and a questionnaire was formulated using a 5-point Likert scale to find out how has MUP affected the QOL of residents. Using One-Way ANOVA, it was found that MUP residents experienced a higher overall satisfaction level after the MUP with a mean of 3.47 compared to before (3.06) and during MUP (2.58). More interestingly, they also enjoy a better QOL compared to the residents who have not had MUP. These non-MUP residents have an overall satisfaction level of 3.15 which is slightly higher than MUP residents prior to upgrading. On top of this, respondents that have experienced MUP rated surrounding assisting in convenience (4.28) and safety and security level in surrounding (4.10) as more important than the other 23 indicators. A One Sample T-Test was also conducted to find the satisfaction level of upgrading items offered to residents. The upgrading of lifts to stop on every floor (4.13), addition of covered link ways (4.11), and upgrading of existing toilet and bathroom (3.99) attained the highest in satisfaction level. The mean overall satisfaction level of 3.47 shows that the residents are relatively satisfied with their upgraded HDB flats. As QOL is considered a subjective concept, any change to people's life will affect their perception of QOL. Therefore, the challenge is to identify new upgrading packages that will further enhance their QOL.