Slums and housing in Singapore

Go check out what housing was like in the 1960s at the Straits Time Photo exhibition. It will give you a better idea of how housing has developed in Singapore over the last century. And since we are on the issue of slums (and squatters) .... just to say that such form of informal housing is not always bad. In many instances, even in the falvas and bustees, they reflect a strong sense of resilience and independence. The housing provide the extreme poor some form of protection and community help. As such in helping to improve on the living conditions of the shanty dwellers is not only cheaper but often more welcomed by those who actually need help. Off course, given the option and resources, these people do want to move to proper housing, but often, cities do not have the resources to do so.

The housing development in Singapore is a example where resources and political will was put in to deal with poor housing conditions. However, like many other cases, Singapore can be used as a case study only if you place it in the right context, especially time frame. In this case, Singapore can be used as a example of a developing country which successfully dealt with housing problems (in general, and not inner city). Read Waugh 450-1.

As for new towns, note that though the Singapore housing estates were modelled after the UK New Towns, they do have different objectives in mind. In the case of UK, it was a programme to deal with urban expansion but in Singapore it was more to do with management of low class housing.

On a personal note, do continue to support NKF and other charities.