38 Issue 1 / July 2012 ESSAYS 39 By Dr Cheong-Chua Koon Hean of its high population density and limited natural resources, according to Mercer’s 2011 Quality of Living rankings, the city-state still ranks among the top 25 cities worldwide in terms of quality of living. SINGAPORE: Creating Liveable Towns and Homes Housing a Nation Long-term integrated urban planning 1 Long-term integrated planning is crucial for Singapore to ensure it is developed sustainably and that there is sufficient land to meet its development needs. At the national level, the Concept Plan – an integrated land use and transportation plan – takes into consideration the city-state’s various competing land use demands. It also ensures land and infrastructure planning is strategic, integrated across various government agencies and oriented towards the long term. To date, three such plans have been launched – in 1971, Hierarchy Design 1991 and 2001. As a result of these, the HDB safeguards To create a sense of structure, a hierarchical land for public housing development in the form of concept is adopted to help residents navigate satellite towns that are interlinked by expressways to one their living environment. Facilities that serve another, and ultimately with Singapore’s central business more people — such as shopping complexes district. Each town is complemented by regional and sub- and hawker centres — are placed at the top of regional centres and is serviced by the city-state’s mass the hierarchy (the centre of the town), while rapid transit (MRT) system. facilities that are more localised — such as smaller supermarkets and mini-marts and All three concept plans have significantly shaped eating houses — are placed further down in Singapore’s physical landscape, with the HDB playing a the hierarchy (within neighbourhoods and major role in its overall development. Care is also taken to precincts). Similarly, parks, commercial facilities maintain greenery and water bodies in order to preserve and educational amenities are allocated on a the living environment. Since the establishment of the town, neighbourhood and precinct basis. HDB in 1960, it has built 23 towns and three smaller public housing estates across the island. Seamless Connectivity Connectivity was planned from the onset to Comprehensive Town Planning allow residents to move efficiently within their and Urban Design town and to other parts of Singapore. The city- state’s transportation network derives from Comprehensive and Self-sufficient a planned island-wide transportation plan. At the town level, the HDB adopts a comprehensive This incorporates bus interchanges and MRT Singapore’s Housing and Development Board (HDB) houses more than 80% of the island’s approach, exemplified by the holistic planning of towns stations, which are strategically situated in the as self-sufficient environments. Each town is equipped population. Over three million residents live in just under one million public housing flats across centre of towns, as well as local roads within with a full range of facilities – such as schools, shops towns that connect to the major arterial roads our small city-state of 710 square kilometres. Similar to cities with diverse competing demands for and recreational amenities – in order to serve the daily and expressways. limited land, a high-density, high-rise housing model was thus a natural choice. requirements of its residents and reduce the need to travel to the downtown city centre. To meet the rising need for greater connectivity and accessibility – particularly with an ageing Town and Neighbourhoods population – barrier-free design features, such et, public housing in term, integrated urban planning many global cities where public Each town is designed with a central hub serving several as ramps, ensure that residents of all ages have Singapore stands out that optimised limited land housing is predominantly rental neighbourhoods. In turn, each of these neighbourhoods convenient access to public transport. Yinternationally, as the HDB resources, which provided highly housing. Furthermore, to maintain is served by precincts with supporting socio-communal went beyond the provision of basic liveable environments for its high standards of living, the HDB facilities, such as kindergartens, shops and eateries, Checkerboard Pattern shelter to provide quality housing residents to live, work and play. has launched a variety of initiatives to meet the needs of residents. Typically, a town has Due attention is also given to ensure visual that residents can proudly call aimed at rejuvenating older towns around 25,000 to 50,000 dwelling units, while each and spatial relief of high-rise, high-density homes and a living environment Today, through generous and estates. HDB also encourages neighbourhood has around 4,000 to 6,000 dwelling HDB developments between each town. This is that nurtures the development of incentives and subsidies, community bonding and units. Within each neighbourhood are precincts of about achieved by juxtaposing low-rise developments vibrant and cohesive communities. approximately 90% of HDB promotes good neighbourliness 600 to 1,000 dwelling units each. in a checkerboard pattern to create a more This was achieved through long- residents own their homes, unlike amongst its residents. In spite interesting and varied skyline for HDB towns. 40 Issue 1 / July 2012 ESSAYS 41 lift lobby as the focal point, the In 2007, the HDB block’s drop-off porch, letterboxes, introduced the Home residents’ notice boards, as well Improvement Programme as tables and seats, are situated (HIP), which sponsors together to provide a stronger focal essential improvements point for community interaction. within older flats. In addition, residents can The design of HDB flats has also select value-for-money improved over the years. For optional improvements example, flat layouts have grown for their flats and co- more efficient, optimising the use of pay only what they have internal space. Wherever possible, chosen. In the same the living room or bedrooms are year, the HDB launched also orientated to take advantage its Neighbourhood of the views outside. The windows Renewal Programme of HDB flats today no longer face (NRP) that catered the common corridors unlike in for comprehensive, integrated and coordinated external improvements, the earlier years, in response to complementing those in surrounding neighbourhoods. These programmes residents’ preference for greater further continue the work of earlier upgrading programmes such as the Main privacy. Upgrading Programme (MUP) and Interim Upgrading Programme (IUP), which were introduced in 1990 and 1993 respectively to provide improvements to Urban Design Guidelines Continual Improvements and Keeping Old Estates precinct areas, blocks and flats. At the same time, they provide residents with The HDB formulates urban design New Planning Concepts Relevant and Vibrant greater flexibility and say in the improvements to their living environment. guidelines to ensure individual The design of precinct facilities and buildings and precincts relate flats also plays a significant role Another unique aspect of public Building Cohesive Communities 1 pg 38: Aerial view of to each other in a coherent and in delivering high quality homes housing in Singapore is the Sengkang town from user-friendly fashion. Urban for residents. With this in mind, extensive role HDB plays in estate Besides its high-density environment, HDB’s estates comprise a diverse Serangoon Reservoir. design studies are also conducted the HDB has applied new planning renewal and rejuvenation. Here, population of different cultures and lifestyles. Thus, the building of cohesive Photo courtesy of HDB. the objective is two-fold: to ensure communities, among residents of all backgrounds, is also very important. 2 pg 39: Schematic for strategic landmark projects concepts that capitalise on the drawing showing as well as large-scale mixed-use locality’s unique characteristics. the quality of living in older estates checkerboard planning developments in town centres. For example, in the regeneration and to retain the value of property In pursuit of this, the HDB has provided community spaces such as playgrounds concept for HDB towns. In this way, urban design serves of the Dawson Estate in the in the estate. Rejuvenation also and pavilions where residents can interact with one another and enjoy group Image courtesy of HDB. 3 pg 40: Stepped terraces to bridge the gap between land- central Singaporean district of optimises land use wherever activities. To ensure communal facilities and spaces cater to the needs of each at the Waterway use planning at the broader Queenstown, the planning vision feasible, and helps bring in younger community, the HDB regularly conducts consultations with residents to seek Terraces maximise level and the design of individual was to provide housing in a park. families to inject vibrancy into their views on various aspects of their neighbourhood. residents’ view of older estates. Punggol Waterway. developments. This enhances a In line with this concept, the Photo courtesy of HDB. town’s identity and character. flats were developed in a park- The HDB has gone a step further in promoting bonding within communities 4 pg 41 above: View of like environment, with greenery In response to Singapore’s rapidly - by organising welcome parties in newly-completed precincts for instance, old blocks at Toa Payoh An example of distinctive housing situated within the mid-levels of aging