Chapter 8 & 9 – Housing, Distribution and Sustainability

Twenty question-and-answer flashcards covering types of housing, their characteristics, spatial distribution, environmental & social impacts, and sustainable management strategies.

What is the key planning difference between formal and informal housing?

Formal housing is planned and approved by authorities, whereas informal housing (slums/squatters) is built spontaneously without official planning.

What legal right do residents of formal housing possess that squatters in informal settlements typically lack?

A recognised right or deed that grants ownership/tenure of the land on which their home sits.

Name two basic services that are often missing in informal housing areas.

Reliable piped water and proper sanitation (other acceptable answers: electricity, waste disposal).

Why are structures in informal housing more susceptible to collapse, flooding or fire?

They are often built with scavenged, low-quality materials such as zinc sheets, plastic and cardboard that offer little structural strength or protection.

Where inside a city are informal houses commonly located, and what is the main reason?

On neglected, locally unwanted land-uses (LULUs) such as near landfills, sewage plants or cemeteries because residents cannot afford land in desirable areas.

Give three adjectives or phrases that describe the appearance/layout of typical informal housing.

Crowded, low-rise but high density, disorderly (other valid descriptors: makeshift, cramped, unplanned).

State four major characteristic differences between formal and informal housing highlighted in the notes.

(1) Ownership status, (2) legal right to occupy land, (3) access to basic services, (4) quality of building materials.

Why do land prices generally increase closer to the city centre?

High demand for central convenience and limited supply of land drive prices upward.

How does land-use planning influence the distribution of housing types in a city?

Through zoning, planners allocate land for formal housing in designated areas, leaving informal housing to occupy leftover or unzoned spaces.

What role do private and public developers play in determining housing locations?

Private developers choose commercially attractive sites to maximise profit, while public developers consider social needs and affordability in site selection.

Name one environmental impact of housing related to natural resource extraction.

Large-scale use of fossil fuels to generate electricity for dense urban housing estates increases carbon emissions.

Describe a water-pollution problem that can arise in slum communities.

Untreated sewage may be discharged directly into nearby rivers, contaminating water and spreading disease.

List three basic needs that formal housing typically provides, improving residents’ quality of life.

Secure shelter, clean water supply, electricity and sanitation infrastructure (any three accepted).

What kinds of amenities are usually found in planned formal housing estates?

Facilities like grocery shops, markets, clinics, playgrounds and community centres that make daily life convenient.

How does inclusive public housing accommodate different household sizes?

By offering a range of flat sizes, from 1-room units for singles to 5-room apartments for extended families.

Which environmental feature has Singapore’s HDB installed on block roofs to cut energy use?

Solar panels that generate renewable electricity for common lighting and facilities.

What is slum upgrading, and cite one benefit of this strategy.

Government-assisted improvement where residents receive funds/training to rebuild their homes; benefit: residents can stay in place while living conditions improve.

Identify one common challenge faced during slum upgrading projects.

Upgrading can take a long time because residents work only during their free hours, delaying completion.

Define integrated land-use planning and give one advantage it offers cities.

Coordinated allocation of land for multiple needs (housing, industry, recreation, etc.); advantage: ensures adequate housing supply while reducing haphazard sprawl.

Why do many informal settlements locate next to industrial zones or major transport routes?

Proximity provides easier access to jobs and allows residents to tap existing infrastructure such as water or electricity lines.