Social Cohesion through Common Spaces in Residential Estates

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn."

Question proposed.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I do not imagine that any Member of this House would object when I say that social cohesion is a necessary and integral part of nation-building and national survival.

Especially in recent years, one could argue that: more than any amount of economic abundance and resource, social cohesion remains the necessary bedrock of any nation to navigate catastrophe, calamity and modern-day challenges. Societies with greater social cohesion and cohesiveness have been shown to have had better outcomes from COVID-19 and the same can be said with such societies in overcoming disasters, acts of terrorism and bouncing back from national crisis. Social cohesion is the unseen force that binds us together in adversity and it will take us through as a people when things get tough.

In her speech at the International Conference for Cohesive Societies in September 2022, then-President Halimah Yacob said, "Social cohesion is a necessary condition for our collective security. Societies cannot survive, let alone thrive, without the social glue that bonds people together."

Social cohesion, Mr Deputy Speaker, is not a mere absence of conflict. It is a deeper sense of connectedness between peoples; a sense of belonging to a collective identity, with an entrenched trust and solidarity towards a common good.

I scoped this Adjournment Motion of Social Cohesion to focus on Common Spaces in Residential Estates, because such common spaces make up the first boundaries of where one's private residence interfaces with common areas of interaction with others in the community. Such common spaces are where social cohesion is most frequently tested on a daily basis and become the first confronting intersection between what is private to an individual and what is common to others around him or her.

Often, the line is not so black-and-white, as many of the Elected Members of Parliament can attest to. Frequently, complaints over municipal issues or neighbourly differences hover at the intersection of these common spaces. The best solutions almost always require compromise, some give and take, underpinned by empathy, a consideration for others and a genuine desire for the collective good.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

As far as social cohesion goes, it is less a question of what is mine or yours, but more so of what is ours and what it is that we can collectively build together as a community and as a society. It is anchored by our collective values as Singaporeans; values that are evergreen and resilient both in good times and in adversity.

The building blocks of our social cohesion are in the everyday. Social cohesion arises and morphs from the daily grind of how we respond to one another, from the strength of our relationships with our neighbours with whom we live, stay and play and from the way we navigate mutual understanding of one another's needs, cultures, peculiarities and nuances.

Therefore, I argue, Mr Speaker, that for social cohesion to take root, we need to allow ourselves to experience one another in the common space of residential estates. We must feel safe and comfortable to bring forth our authentic selves into the space to be discovered by others, to give permission for others to be curious and seek to understand us and have a willingness to share common spaces for mutual benefit.

As is the case in teambuilding, social cohesion will take some time to form and to norm. It may not come in the first instance, especially if it appears that the activity of one group seems to infringe on the private space of another. My view is that we should not shy away from the opportunity to explore these differences, find common ground and nurture relationships alongside.

In recent months, there have been news coverage, opinion pieces and debate over the closure of some common spaces in residential estates, specifically, a barricaded void deck in Woodlands Ring Road and the closure of a football hard court in Bedok North Road.

By any measure, I am no die-hard soccer fan. Though in my youth, I have had forays in playing games like football, sepak takraw and even marbles in common spaces. To my memory, there have been other occasional examples over the years of such actions taken by various municipalities on similar common spaces to curb inconsiderate behaviours. Even as I cite these examples, I mean them purely as an illustrative example of the broader points I am about to make.

I can understand the challenges of Town Councils in moderating complaints and disagreements on the ground. It is not easy. However, when we take steps to close common areas of play or restrict areas of spontaneity from fair and legitimate interests like sports, for example, I offer three areas of concern relating to social cohesion for the House to consider and ponder upon.

First, it is a missed opportunity at the level of the activity itself, in terms of the nature of cohesion it brings to the community. When one goes to the void deck or common space in residential estates, we bring the most authentic, simple and personal version of ourselves. Everyone is seen as a fellow neighbour – not the boss or executive at work, not the student of any particular school; nor does it matter whether you stay in a nearby private estate, a 5-room flat or a rental unit within the neighbourhood. You come as you are, you join in the game and no one will notice or care about who you are beyond what you are willing to share. The social currency in the neighbourhood game is your friendship, your sense of camaraderie and your teamwork. It might not even matter how good you are in the sport or game, as long as you are friendly and amicable.

The common space in residential estates equalises access, cuts across all layers of society and brings people together and, because of the dynamic and spontaneous nature of such interactions, the mix is never constant and that makes it beautiful for social cohesion.

Because they are rooted in the everyday, the nature of such interactions also tend to be the most genuine, unbridled and sustained, and these are the same ties – organic in our neighbourhoods – that will form the basis of how our society will overcome adversity and respond to crisis, if and when it happens.

For those who venture often for such activities, you will also notice that the networks of the neighbourhood game or activity are distinct and different from what you may get in school or at work, with subtleties that only free, spontaneous and unstructured play close to your place of residence can replicate.

Second, Mr Speaker, in terms of social cohesion, it is a missed opportunity to negotiate and achieve collective compromise. In common spaces, because it is open to all, inadvertently, it is a melting pot for some level of disagreement. The boundaries are not so clear sometimes and it is impossible to articulate an exhaustive set of rules to the extent that all possibilities are covered.

It takes people – young, old and of all persuasions – to engender good common sense and consideration of others to find a common ground for the use of the common spaces. There may be a need for some guidance or nudging through broad rules, but how we navigate our common spaces in the residential estates is a function of our values and ability to be socially cohesive in spite of our differences. It is an exercise of navigating our social contract with one another. Achieving a mutual understanding elevates our societal norms to a deeper level of awareness, one of greater compassion and empathy and a genuine care for one another's needs.

When youths want to play, say, at the void deck, there is an expectation that when someone frail or elderly comes by, you stop and give them space to pass. When one wants to have an activity at the common multi-purpose area, whether a celebratory wedding or a sombre funeral, there is an expectation to be mindful of the noise levels and at what hour some activities can be conducted.

For us to strengthen our social cohesion, we must find ways and means to allow for reasonable play and activity within the common spaces of our residential estates. It is this very "give and take", "push and pull" tension inherent in such common spaces that hones our cohesion as a society and unlocks our potential as Singaporeans to be familiar with and know one another more intimately.

We should not be afraid of differences. Instead, we should have a healthy curiosity, seeking to appreciate and understand the different views. To close, to barricade, to block common spaces appear to suggest that there can be no room for compromise and that the redacted behaviour or activity is so abhorrent that there is no place for it at all. It then becomes a paradox, because these are the same activities that engender close connectedness in the community and a solution to such a quandary is surely worth a thought.

We should recognise that these values will be mirrored in other circumstances too. We must try harder to allow space for spontaneous activities in our neighbourhoods and be mindful of how we navigate differences, because it impacts how we consciously or unconsciously view one another, the extent to which we are ready and willing to seek common solutions, to compromise and to co-exist amidst our differing needs, and also, in the longer term, how our young will view each other and the world around them.

The third area of concern is that we can do better in terms of finding solutions that are win-win for all. With some creativity, collective thought and deliberate consideration, it is my firm belief that it is possible for us to further nurture common spaces in residential estates for a myriad of activities that engage all layers of society.

It takes a good urban design, sound social policy and the interplay of the two to make things work.

In terms of macro-urban design, my view is that the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Housing and Development Board (HDB) have done well in the strategic planning of spaces to consider most aspects of our residential needs and ensure they are accessible to all, that they are people-friendly and are liveable. However, at the last mile and in the finer details, I think we can do better to imagine solutions that would further promote play and spontaneity, and for social cohesion to flourish.

At the outset, if, indeed, social cohesion and community space activities are key intended outcomes of residential living, we should endeavour to eliminate most challenges proximally by design. If noise levels are a concern, could it be possible to design better noise insulation strategies for the lower floors? If safety of passers-by is to be considered, can we not demarcate and design areas of play better?

I believe it is not impossible for both new and existing estates to be adapted to foster such activities if we resolve together that social cohesion is an important area we want to develop and further strengthen in our people.

We have shown that such adaptations are possible. We employ the same creativity for our green and sustainability goals under the HDB Green Towns Programme. We pilot cool coatings, elevator energy regeneration systems, electric vehicle charging points and even urban water harvesting systems underground.

Under the Solar Nova Programme, into its eighth leasing tender last year, HDB has endeavoured to install more than 8,000 blocks with solar panels over the past decade. It is indeed possible to redesign the systems in residential estates to achieve a desired outcome towards how we imagine society should and can be.

Beyond the structural aspects of our residential estates, it also requires sound social policy and a desire to strengthen the community further at our doorstep and in our everyday.

Today, we have the People's Association alongside our community partners to build and bridge communities. There needs to be continued fervent policy encouragement that allows for spontaneous day-to-day activities arising from and that are organically sustainable to community. This should be coupled with a considered approach towards usage of common spaces and engendering trust and responsibility to the end-user and resident.

It can be a function of when and where certain activities are allowed, whether modifications need to be made for certain games to be void-deck or common space friendly, or certain no-go areas for specific activities. There is enough space in the common spaces of residential estates, but it is a matter of how we allow for its use to, together, achieve the best outcomes for social cohesion.

At the same International Conference for Cohesive Societies in September 2022, Mdm Halimah Yacob also said, "Cohesive societies do not exist spontaneously. They are borne of choice and conviction."

In conclusion, I urge fellow Parliamentarians to consider the Motion in the context of how we can choose to do better in engendering social cohesion in our every day. The Motion speaks to how we can and must co-create and curate the common spaces in residential estates, to foster better understanding amongst Singaporeans and consciously allow for the opportunity to interact in a manner that transcends our layered identities and interests.

When we take decisions relating to common spaces, we should be wary how it impacts social cohesion, for better or for worse. We need to consciously work hard on social cohesion always, for it is a process and a journey, rather than an end-state to be achieved.

We take careful thought in the planning of our urban living spaces and we have done well, over decades, to ensure there is a good balance multicultural representation and interethnic presence in our residential estates. I would argue, though, that it is in the last mile delivery and policy – the one that fronts the experience of the ordinary Singaporean – that integrates and converges all the proximal work that is done for social cohesion. And it takes place and comes to life in the common spaces of residential estates.

To falter at this point is like training hard for a marathon for months on end and building towards peak performance and results, but only to trip at the final kilometre of the race on an obstruction that one knew was there to begin with. So, with forward planning, a little bit of creativity, some contemplation and a considered compromise, common spaces in residential estates can be realised as the focal point for community relations and a beacon for social cohesion.

Minister of State Faishal Ibrahim.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi for sharing his views and putting forth suggestions on how we can foster stronger social cohesion through purposeful design and management of common spaces in our residential estates.

I fully agree with the Member on the importance of social cohesion. Given our multiracial and multi-religious context, building a harmonious and cohesive society in Singapore is critical. This is something we must never take for granted.

Social cohesion does not come about by chance. It requires a deliberate and concerted effort from all of us – to build bonds and mutual understanding amongst Singaporeans, whether it is across races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds or age groups. The Government pays close attention to the upstream planning and design of the built environment, to facilitate social cohesion amongst Singaporeans from all walks of life.

In order to create opportunities for Singaporeans to interact with one another on a regular basis, we deliberately inject a range of common spaces when planning for residential estates, parklands and commercial and mixed-use areas. We also actively encourage the integration of community and sports uses within commercial and mixed-use developments, to provide highly accessible spaces for the community.

With almost 80% of Singapore's resident population living in HDB flats, HDB plays a pivotal role in providing a liveable environment for Singaporeans to live, work and play together.

I shall now touch on some of the efforts by various agencies including HDB, to foster a cohesive community in our heartlands through both design as well as active programming.

HDB carefully designs our estates and towns to incorporate a range of common spaces that maximise social interaction and facilitate community building while meeting diverse needs. HDB's Designing for Life roadmap guides the planning and leveraging of common spaces, to help Singaporeans "Live Well", "Live Green" and "Live Connected" to each other.

Within residential blocks in new HDB developments, Community Living Rooms provide a laid-back gathering point for neighbours to hang out and host simple, small-group activities at the community deck. We have also introduced facilities like the community pavilions, fitness corners, and 3-Gen playgrounds, to facilitate inter-generational interaction.

Older estates are retrofitted with new or enhanced facilities through upgrading programmes like the HDB's Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and the Ministry of National Development's (MND's) Estate Upgrading Programme. It is at such facilities where residents have the chance to meet and mingle, while exercising, playing, or going about their daily lives.

At the town-level, HDB has planned and built larger spaces, like neighbourhood parks and town plazas, to host big-group activities and heartland events.

The "hardware" constitutes only one part of the equation. Activities and programming that bring residents together and encourage spontaneous interactions, are just as, if not more, important. They shape and activate our common spaces and encourage community-driven participation to foster social cohesion.

Each year, HDB hosts some 600 activities and events with an outreach of 220,000 residents at town plazas, in collaboration with agencies, such as SportSG, National Arts Council and Health Promotion Board, as well as schools and grassroots organisations.

For homeowners-to-be, HDB and the People's Association organise MyNiceHome Roadshows to bring future neighbours together to build relationships early. Getting to know one another and the support available in the community enables better assimilation and good neighbourliness among new residents.

Across all residential estates islandwide, the People's Association and Grassroots Organisations actively organise and support a range of ground-up community initiatives that bring people together across race, religion, socio-economic backgrounds and age groups. Examples include Ramadan Porridge Distribution, donation drives, as well as free tuition and peer coaching for students.

We can easily spot these efforts in our common spaces – in our community decks, neighbourhood parks, Residents' Committee and Network centres, as well as community centres and clubs. As a Grassroots Adviser for more than 15 years, I have seen how Government and social service agencies and residents work together to promote social cohesion in our community.

I must say, such efforts take time, but make a big difference in building a strong and vibrant community.

I have also seen agencies going beyond to innovate and take a concerted, holistic approach to marry hardware and heartware. As of end-2023, we have disbursed and committed more than $1.1 million under the Lively Places Programme, supporting 229 projects that enliven common spaces and strengthen community identity. These include the establishment of pet parks, community cafes, allotment gardens, community libraries and workshop spaces at community decks.

In the upgrading of estates and towns, we engage residents to co-create solutions, enabling residents to collectively express and decide on what they would like to have in their neighbourhood. Under the third run of the Remaking Our Heartland Programme, HDB worked with close to 6,000 residents and community stakeholders for the design of six community nodes, 10 neighbourhood parks and four Build-A-Playground projects in Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Pasir Ris.

Agencies also engage residents to develop upgrading proposals for their estates under the Estate Upgrading Programme, which has benefited about 54,000 households in 74 estates to date.

A key guiding principle in managing our common spaces is that they should be kept open and inclusive. In line with this philosophy, HDB estates are not gated and remain accessible – not just to residents of the estates but members of the public. The openness and inclusiveness of our common spaces allow for spontaneous exchanges and citizen-led initiatives to happen. These contribute towards a common, lived experience, which is a key enabler in fostering deeper understanding and empathy within the community.

In using our common spaces, we must remain mindful of the diverse needs and interests across different groups. On occasions, there are conflicts and disamenities, which we have to manage, as we balance the interests of different groups within our community.

Today, our Town Councils manage and maintain the common spaces in public housing estates. Residents who wish to use the common spaces are required to apply to the Town Councils for permission. This allows the Town Councils to ensure safe and appropriate use and manage any disamenities to residents.

We note the Member's concerns that such arrangements may not be ideal to some residents. However, given Singapore's land constraints, we need to ensure fairness and efficient use of space in our housing estates, while creating a conducive and harmonious living environment.

Some interventions may seem harsh. But they are necessary to balance the interests of all residents. I would like to reassure the Member that such interventions are not taken lightly. Behind the scenes, Town Councils and relevant agencies have expended significant effort to communicate with affected parties and develop win-win solutions.

At times, despite the work done to bring parties together to resolve issues amicably, there are sometimes parties who may be unwilling to compromise. In such cases, Town Councils and relevant agencies may have no choice but to intervene directly, to ensure a conducive living environment for all. We will continue to engage residents and in the spirit of give-and-take, explore solutions that address the concerns of affected residents.

Cultivating mutual respect and good neighbourliness is now more important than ever before, as more people spend more time at home with the rise of remote work post pandemic. Good neighbourly behaviour and habits are essential in building a harmonious living environment and strengthening community resilience.

In conclusion, I thank Dr Syed Harun again for the opportunity to respond to his ideas and to set out our approach towards this topic of social cohesion in common spaces.

Common spaces are created to serve individual and community needs. Activating our common spaces and building a cohesive society is our collective responsibility. We will continue to design, build and maintain conducive common spaces and work with the community to provide meaningful programming for the community that enables social cohesion and integration.

I hope that, as a community, we can be considerate and kind to one another in the use of these spaces and embody gracious, inclusive and harmonious living.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn."

Pursuant to Standing Order 2(3)(a), I wish to inform hon Members that the Sitting tomorrow will commence at 12.00 noon. Order, order.

Adjourned accordingly at 4.48 pm.