Use of void decks changes in tandem with community’s needs

We refer to the letter from Mr Lim Poh Seng, “HDB should consider leaving void decks as they are” (Oct 22).

Void decks are designed for community use. Hence, there are community spaces or community living rooms with seating areas where residents can interact with one another.

In older developments, larger spaces at void decks were provided for community-bonding activities and serving the social needs of residents.

As such, social and community facilities such as childcare centres, elderly daycare centres and kidney dialysis centres are located in void decks where there is good access, visibility and connection to other facilities.

The needs of the community change over time, so such facilities may change, or new ones may be added. For newer developments where void deck space is limited, precinct pavilions are provided to supplement the space.

We agree with Mr Lim that we should continue to retain the purpose of void deck spaces.

Thus, when we add social community facilities, we ensure that there are still spaces available for community gatherings.

The HDB has also introduced ways to address the need for more, and larger, community facilities. For instance, we have designed some facilities to be located at the ground level of multi-storey car parks, or co-located them with commercial facilities in purpose-built buildings.

We thank Mr Lim for sharing his thoughts with us.