Sustainable management of housing in Singapore and other countries

Integrated land-use planning (e.g. by urban development authorities)
Provision of inclusive public housing (e.g.by housing development authorities)
Environmental features in buildings (e.g. zero energy building design)
Improvements to the conditions of slums (e.g. through government funding)

1. INTEGRATED LAND-USE PLANNING

Integrated land-use planning requires the co-ordination of many stakeholders (eg. industries, planning authorities, commercial businesses, property developers) It is the process by which the needs of different groups and their competing demands can be resolved to ensure sustainable development of the city. It is important that housing not be built independently and away from other city functions (eg. industries, entertainment). Likewise amenities, transport infrastructure and other support services need to be built within or surrounding housing projects. Integrated land-use planning is considered to be effective for sustainable housing development when economic, social and environmental needs are met.

In Singapore, the HDB has utilized the new town planning concept to successfully develop self-contained towns that include public housing amenities, retail, industries, education, healthcare and recreation services. By developing housing in tandem with other services that an urban population needs in an integrated manner, towns become more sustainable and liveable.

Strengths: Large scale of impact as it can be implemented across the city.

Limitations: Integrated land-use planning requires the co-ordination of many stakeholders, which is difficult to do in some countries where many different groups have many competing perspectives.

https://propertyreviewsg.com/ura-master-plan-for-north-east-region/

Access the map below on Punggol Neighbourhood. Check out the amenities and facilities in the neighbourhood. Click on the respective amenity/facility in the legend to view it on the map.

2. PROVISION OF INCLUSIVE PUBLIC HOUSING

Provide a range of housing to cater for different groups

Some residents may prefer smaller apartments for a small family while others may prefer larger apartments that can house their extended family as well. Here inclusiveness refers to ensuring that all of the urban population can have access to housing that meets their varying needs.

Provide housing developments that cater to all, regardless of age and physical disabilities

Here, inclusiveness refers to ensuring housing developments can cater to people of all ages and physical conditions. This enables residents, regardless of their age and physical disabilities, to feel at ease in their housing estates.

Strengths:

● Benefits groups who are unable to, otherwise, obtain formal housing

Limitations:

● Making public housing inclusive is costly, since added cost is needed to provide access to disadvantaged groups or groups with special needs.

● Also catering for a variety of housing types means that more time and effort is needed to vary the designs of public housing in Singapore.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES IN BUILDINGS

Apart from the practices to ensure that housing in cities promote healthy interpersonal relationships, incorporating environmentally friendly technologies into the construction of homes also promote sustainability. The use of solar panels to offset electrical consumption of common lighting, water-efficient fittings to minimize water consumption and the use of green roofs and walls to reduce surrounding temperatures are all examples of how housing developments in Singapore can incorporate cleaner and greener technologies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the city.

Strengths: Contributes towards environmental sustainability.

Limitations:

● While the use of environmentally friendly technologies may lead to savings in the long run, they are often expensive to install.

● Benefits may be limited if the public do not understand their benefits. E.g., residents who do not understand the benefits of recycling may find it troublesome to sort their trash before disposing it into the recycling bins.

Installation of solar panels on the roof top of HDB flats in Hougang.

How would this help achieve environmental sustainability?

Efforts made to make buildings more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/heat-reflective-paint-initiative-to-be-rolled-out-to-all-hdb-estates-by-2030

Recycling bins in Hougang. Do you see similar recycling bins in your housing estate?

How can this help to promote environmental sustainability?

Limitation:

Residents did not sort out recyclables and put in items such as Styrofoam boxes into the recycling bin

Watch the video below and answer the following questions:
1. Where is the first net zero energy building?
2. What are the features of the building which makes it sustainable?

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/469659f97a7444728bde31cd50ebece8

How desirable are Singapore’s sustainable neighbourhoods?In this lesson, you will take on the perspective of an urban planner coming to Singapore from a foreign country to understand how Singapore builds its neighbourhoods. As an urban planner, you will assess the liveability of different neighbourhoods in Singapore and come to learn of the sustainable development strategies in Singapore and the concept of sustainable urban neighbourhoods.The limelight placed on sustainable development internationally has provided a driving force for cities to develop their neighbourhoods along the same lines of sustainability. In Singapore, this has sparked the creation of an exciting new development model known as sustainable urban neighbourhoods. These neighbourhoods are one of the reasons that Singapore has garnered significant international recognition for building a liveable city.

HDB flat design evolution https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2023/12/hdb-flat-design-evolution/index.html

4. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONDITIONS OF SLUMS

In areas where slums are prevalent, governments have adopted a strategy of enhancement rather than eviction and demolition as a sustainable way of improving housing conditions. Improvements projects such as the Favela Bairro in Brazil seeks to improve access to basic services and the building quality homes, while involving the local community in the formulation and implementation of housing policies. It is an ‘integrated’ programme that aims to provide basic infrastructure such a sewerage and lighting, social services such as child care, community organization and development, and land ownership. By improving the conditions of slums, occupants are more motivated to invest in their own homes and make improvements to community infrastructure. Also better access to clean water and sanitation services raises health levels and reduces the threat of disease to the people living there.

Strengths:

● Slum improvement schemes can improve the quality of life of the occupants.

Limitations:

● The slum improvement programmes may often run contrary to long-term city development plans since these informal housing settlements may be built on valuable land/land intended for other purposes.

● For slums with a spread of diseases, the health of residents may continue to be compromised.

● Also, the social impact of improvements to slum conditions remains questionable, as crime rates, unemployment and the stigmatization of those living in such circumstances still remain.

Page updated

Report abuse