Rediscovering... Singapore HDB Flats

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About Rediscovering... Singapore HDB Flats

Hi and welcome to the Singapore HDB Flats image pool group.




You are welcome to join us and post photos of HDB Flats that could be found in Singapore... Whether it may be an existing or a Under Construction/Upgrading flat, a creative representation, interior/exterior details, all are welcome :)


The Objective
To rediscover how a common subject like such.. can be used more effectively and creatively as a photographic subject, whether in whole or as a complementing element.


Note
• Group Icon from amorphity's Photos.

• Only images that include HDB Flats as a subject material (either in whole or partially) are allowed. We appreciate that you DO NOT post photos of any type of Private Housing or any other non-related materials in this group... and finally, in no way should you invade into people’s privacy. Simply put it, you should not be peeping into houses for your themes... Thanks.


Public Housing and HDB
Today’s public housing in Singapore is widely known as HDB Flats (Housing and Development Board). But Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) could most probably be the beginning of the public housing story in Singapore.

SIT was set up in 1927 and tackling the housing problem in Singapore was part of it's various tasks. As it was not given full authority to plan and build large-scale public housing, the housing problem persisted as the years goes by.

Although SIT did not solve the housing problem during its 32 years existence, it had completed more then 20,000 units of flats in areas such as Tiong Bahru (circa 1930s, first and oldest housing estate by SIT, still in existence today) and Queenstown (initiated by SIT in 1950s, but completed by HDB).

SIT created many unique and interesting public housing designs in Singapore. Traces of its work could still be found in various corners of the island today, but how long it would stay is a question in an ever changing environment that is always striving for progress.

With Singapore gaining self-governance in 1959, it brought forth the forming of HDB on 1st February 1960, which took over SIT and ended its chapter of solving the public housing issue in Singapore.

With the rising population in 1960s, HDB took on bold decisions in planning and building, resulted it being able to build more then 50,000 units of flats in its first 5 years plan, which has been said as solving the housing shortage in Singapore for the first time in Singapore's history.

The first Satellite town by HDB, which was a continuation from the hands of SIT, is the Queenstown estate in 1960s. Looking into pervious plans made by SIT for the town, HDB did modifications and improved on it. Fast forward to today, one could see that Queenstown is in the mist of rejuvenation, with traces of old and new all around the estate.

The first New Town that was fully planned and built by HDB was the Toa Payoh Estate. The project began in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, the estate was already well in shape and it welcomed Queen Elizabeth II visiting it in 1972. Today’s Toa Payoh is still considered as a role model for housing estate planning. Just like the Queenstown Estate, Toa Payoh is also in the process of transformation. Tall, proud standing HDB blocks grace its skyline, standing side by side to the designs of the 60s/70s.

Satellite towns and New towns was the solution to overcrowding problems in the central area. Work, education, recreation, all needs could be met within the town itself. Today such concepts are still very relevant and being adopted and improved in various new estates such as Puggol and Sengkang.

Over the years, the roles of HDB diversified around the main concerns of public housing. Walking through most public housing estates, one would find an interesting mixture of old and new HDB designs. This speaks of the ever changing design concepts by HDB which resulted in an ever interesting exploration experience whenever one explores a housing estate, including their own.