Housing

What is housing

• structures or buildings to shelter people from the elements.

• a basic need that everyone should have access to.

• can be constructed with various materials like concrete, timber, glass, metal, leaves and tree branches.

• comes in all shapes and sizes.

• can be permanent or temporary.

• can be classified according to—> height, density, distance from the city centre and proximity to other land uses or activities like commercial and recreational

High rise and high density

• high rise—> buildings with more than 6 storeys and requires lift access.

• high density—> It can accommodate many people in a given area

• usually found near city centre and is in locations where land is limited.

• comes in forms of apartments and usually has shared facilities like playgrounds and swimming pools.

Low rise and low density

• low rise—> less than six storeys.

• low density—> fewer people can be accommodated in that given area.

• usually located away from the city centre, towards the city fringe where land is more readily available and thus, cheaper

Informal housing

• undesirable land—> unwanted land

• lacking in essential infrastructure to provide basic services

• unsuitable to build on(sloping land)

• may be hazardous to health

• near train tracks, near polluting industries—> sewage treatment/ recycling plants.

• self-built—> unstable, unplanned, not safe, may collapse on residence, does not have basic services

• is temporary

• vulnerable to natural disasters

• built using inferior building materials

• illegal land usage—> land that is underdeveloped and unsecured.

• occupied by people who cannot afford houses in urban areas

• limited or no access to basic services—> hence they, tap into illegal electricity grids, siphon of water from nearby water pipes and dispose their waste directly on the ground or into rivers.—> increase risk to health due to possible electrocution, contamination of drinking water and exposure to waterborne diseases.

• built using poor quality materials—> scavenged or second hand—> low durability—> E.g. repurposed zinc sheets, plywood, plastics, cardboard—> increases danger risks for residences.

Slums or squatter settlements

Densely populated urban areas marked by overcrowding as well as dirty and rundown housing with limited access to basic services, water and sanitation

Formal housing

• desirable land—> attractive and has pleasing qualities.

• governments and private developers situate formal housing near greenery and amenities, away from pollution.

• built by government or private developers—> planned, stable, has basic services

• is permanent

• legal—> land rights—> free use of land

• access to basic services—> energy, electricity, water, sanitation, and waste removal—> improves quality of life

• built using high quality materials like concrete, bricks, metal and hardwood.—. ensures safety of residence

Factors affecting the location of housing within cities

• transport availability—> convenience,

• distance to the city centre, how close or how far (closer is preferred)

• the blocks are for long term use and ownership

Spatial distribution

Housing in Singapore is mainly found in the northern, southern and central region. It surrounds the central catchment area and has minor spots at the Eastern and southern regions.

Zoning

• restricts the type of activities and land-use permitted on certain sites

• Practice zoning as a planning control tool for ensuring that the built environment is well-developed.

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