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Public Housing and Urban Development in Singapore
By Jonathan Denis-Jacob
December 17, 2012
Over the past 50 years, Singapore has become an international leader in
urban planning and sustainability. One of the four Asian Tigers, this
small city-state of 5.3 million people has implemented innovative urban
policies and programs such as the Certificate of Entitlements (COE)
which limits car ownership, the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) and, in
particular, the unique public housing model. Singapore's public housing
model is known worldwide as a success story. Singapore's homeownership
rate is now among the highest in the world and homelessness is almost
unheard of in the City-state. Furthermore, the features of the built
environment in public housing neighborhoods have made Singapore one of
the most transit-oriented cities in the world, with over 60% of daily
trips made using public transportation.
The notion of public
housing in Singapore differs from the one found in most countries in the
Western World. First, the public housing stock is not limited to
low-income households. About 82% of Singapore`s population of all income
levels lives in the public housing stock. Secondly, public housing is
at the forefront of the city-making process in Singapore.
The
government agency responsible for the production and the management of
the public housing stock in Singapore is the Housing Development Board
(HDB). The mission of HDB is to provide affordable housing based on the
current and future needs of Singapore's population, to create vibrant
and sustainable towns and to ensure vibrant, active and cohesive
communities. Much more than a homebuilder, HDB plays a significant role
in the urban development process in by creating livable communities.
HDB flats are located in master-planned towns which contain a wide array
of amenities and services (schools, polyclinics, sport facilities,
public market, shops, etc.). HDB towns are planned on the principle of
self-sufficiency, ensuring that all essential proximity services are
available locally. Each town is planned for between 4,000 and 6,000
flats and is composed of smaller neighborhoods (600 to 800 units)
distributed around a town center where major facilities and shops are
located.
Most HDB flats are located in high-density buildings.
With the second highest population density in the world and increasing
land scarcity, Singapore has no other choice but to grow upwards, and
even to reclaim land over the sea. In fact, Singapore's land base has
grown by about 130 km² (18%) since 1960 following several land
reclamation projects, a large share of which were public housing
projects. Land scarcity also drives innovation in the design of public
housing projects. The Pinnacle@Duxton is perhaps the most illustrative
example of creative design driven by limited land. The project won
several international awards for the two “Sky gardens” built on the 25th
and 50th floors. The Pinnacle is now known as the biggest public
housing complex in the world.
The public housing system in
Singapore operates based on a complex set of rules and regulations. The
main principle that makes it so unique is the emphasis on ownership as
opposed to rental. Though HDB flats are sold using a 99-year leasehold,
flat resale is allowed at the market price, which provides households
with the option of using their unit equity for long-term savings.
Affordability is ensured through a set of modalities, including the
provision of different unit sizes, progressive mortgage payments (based
on income levels), low interest rates and government subsidies. Examples
of subsidies include additional financial aid to low-income families,
first-time buyers who locate near their parents' home and families with
children.
Public housing in Singapore has traditionally been of
medium quality. But with the recent introduction of Executive
Condominiums, buyers can now purchase apartments that are similar in
nature and in quality as those offered in the private market, which is
out of reach for a majority of Singaporeans.
In conclusion,
public housing is one of the features that make Singapore a nation at
the cutting-edge of urban development and sustainability. Though the
model is facing growing criticism, including rising property prices and
lack of rental housing options, Singapore's public housing has proven
successful in housing most of the country's population as well as in
creating livable and sustainable communities in only half a century.
Photo 1 : Pinnacle@Duxton
