ATTRACTIVENESS OF PRIVATE SUPER HIGH-RISE LIVING IN THE CITY

Abstract

Singapore, an island city-state with a land area of 685.4 square kilometres and a population of 4.19 million in 2003, has one of the world's highest population densities of over 6,086 persons per square kilometer. Although land reclamation efforts by the authorities have helped to increase the supply of land, Singapore still faces a severe land constraint. Hence, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore (URA) proposed in the Concept Plan 2001, to construct taller buildings to house more residents, particularly in the city area. The construction of the Duxton Plain public housing blocks and the Icon condominium in Tanjong Pagar area, kick-starts such super high-rise developments in the city. This study provides an insight into the potential residents' perception, concerns, and level of receptiveness towards super high-rise living in the city. The socio-economic profiles of potential residents and the major determinants of their choices are also examined. In general, the results show that 56.8% of the existing residents living in the city and 50.3% of those living outside the city are willing to live in private super high-rise housing in the city. The findings of this study have made useful contributions particularly in helping developers and policy makers to decide on super high-rise residential developments. The findings also act as a positive indication for future developers of such private residential developments in the city.