SINGAPORE — The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is looking to enhance community bonding through better design of public spaces in the heartlands.

Collaborating with the National University of Singapore (NUS), the HDB has embarked on a two-year research project which involves NUS researchers heading to six areas to survey some 2,400 residents on their usage patterns of communal facilities in their neighbourhood. Focus group discussions with these residents are also being held. Slated to be completed by early next year, findings gleaned from the research may be used in future public housing designs.

The HDB yesterday inked an agreement with the NUS Centre for Sustainable Asian Cities and its Department of Sociology during the opening of this year’s HDB Community Week.

Residents in the six areas, which include blocks in Bukit Panjang, Punggol East and Toa Payoh, will be asked various questions, which will examine their facility usage patterns as well as identity towards their neighbourhood. The six sites were chosen as they covered a range of older and newer HDB towns with a variety of communal facilities available for residents, the HDB said.

At the focus group discussions, residents are shown precinct maps with pictures of amenities, and are asked which places they would associate with their neighbourhood memories. Feedback on amenities is also gathered during these discussions.

While data is being collated and analysed, Dr Ho Kong Chong from NUS Department of Sociology said researchers have noticed that residents who used the amenities in their neighbourhood reported a higher chance of meeting their neighbours there. A playground, for example, when located in a central and visible spot, helps ensure the amenity is used, and, more importantly, allows residents and generations to interact. “Because you use the place so often, you develop a stronger sentiment that leads to a sense of belonging,” added Dr Ho.

Findings from the research project will be refined by NUS Department of Architecture, which will trial the designs in its architecture studios. The HDB will assess suitability by testing these designs in future housing and upgrading contracts. “We will also share the findings with the town councils, which also play a key role in the design and provision of communal facilities in HDB towns,” the HDB added.

The Community Week is part of a larger move by the HDB to build and nurture communities. Now into its second year, this year’s event also sees the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre and the HDB jointly organise the Community Building Seminar for community building practitioners. The seminar aims to help these practitioners — who include grassroots volunteers and students — identify neighbourhood assets to better promote community ties.