TOWNSHIP MANAGEMENT: DESIGN FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE IN UPSTREAM PLANNING OF RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

Abstract

Over the years, Singapores' public residential development has undergone changes to address different urban challenges, demographic changes and pursue various goals. The latest Master Plan 2019 that guides urban planners on the future of space planning in Singapore also signals a notable shift towards creating towns identity and housings that promote liveable and inclusive communities. This shift features newer housing concepts with innovative systems and amenities that are relatively novel compared to mature Housing Development Board (HDB) estates. Currently, over 77% of Singapores' population lives in HDB flats (Singapore Department of Statistics, 2022). Alongside the significant development in improving citizens' liveability, it is equally important that maintainability of these newer structures is sustainable in the long term. Hence, this paper explores research focused on Designing for Maintainability which would be beneficial to bridge current gaps in residential building maintenance, especially as more estates are planned in a similar fashion. This approach can provide more insights on the sustainability and efficiency of managing evolving housing developments. The main purpose of this paper is to identify common issues in maintaining newer systems in residential buildings in Singapore, assess current Design for Maintainability Frameworks and from there, provide suggestions to enhance design for maintainability guidelines for future reference.