Chong Boon Secondary School

Sec 2 Geography

Strategies used by cities to manage

housing shortages

Have you done your pre-reading?

Key Learning Questions

1.Why are these strategies necessary?

2.What are some challenges in applying these strategies?

Strategies to manage housing shortage

•Programmes put in place to improve housing situation.

1.Slum upgrading

2.Provision of public housing

–Singapore’s public housing

Slum upgrading

• Cleaning up of slum areas

• Improving the overall hygiene

• Building amenities

–Piped water

–Electricity

–Sewage systems

–Paved walkways

Slum upgrading

• Can be government led

– Government plans and provides funding

• Can be Self-help schemes

– Government only provides some help

– Slums perform the main upgrading on their own.

• Can be NGO (non-governmental organisations)

– United Nations (UN) / International Red Cross Society / etc.

– Provide the help that a government would provide.

Provision of Public Housing

• Public housing

–Houses that are heavily subsidised by the government.

–Comes with basic services built in.

–Can be rental / leased / owned.

Thinking Question

Do we ‘own’ our HDB flats?

Go home as ask your parents if they ‘own’ the HDB flat

or is it ‘leased’

Singapore’s public housing

• Inclusive housing for all

–Affordable housing

–Facilities and amenities for all ages

–Strong sense of place and belonging

Inclusive housing

• Housing that provides all residents with adequate shelter

• All residents have access to all basic services (including transport and recreation)

• Residents have a sense of belonging and actively contribute to the community.

Affordable housing

• Housing that is priced at a reasonable cost.

• Residents till have enough money for other basic needs, such as food.

• Singapore has different types of housing to cater to different income groups.

–Private property

–Condominiums

–Public housing

Governmental help

• Financial schemes have been implemented to help Singaporeans buy their homes.

• Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG)

– Started in 2006

– Up to $40 000 to help low income earners to pay for their flat

• Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP)

– Started in 1989

– Promote racial integration and harmony

– Discourage ethnic clusters in Public housing.

Facilities and amenities for all ages

• Planning and provision of a range of facilities and amenities

• Retail shops, clinics, parks, etc.

• 3 Generation (3G) facilities

–3 in 1 recreation facility

–Playground, adult fitness corner & wellness station.

• Childcare and eldercare centres

Sense of belonging

• Sense of place

–Meaning and value people attach to a place.

• Places hold meanings to people.

• Memories are formed at places.

• Distinctive physical features and landmarks create this sense.

Summary Statement

• Housing is an important basic need which impacts one’s quality of life. With the rise in urban population, cities face increasing pressure to provide sufficient housing. The nature and extent of housing shortage.