Singaporeans need assurance over
growing population: sociologist
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 February 2007
2333 hrs
Singapore needs to assure its people that growing the population
will not result in more competition for jobs, housing and places in
school.
A sociologist says that such concerns within the society will have
to be addressed by the government, so that tension does not arise
in the community.
Within the next 40 to 50 years, Singapore plans to increase the
number of people here to 6.5 million.
And that announcement has already received mixed reactions from the
public.
"Our country is so small and I think 4.5 is just nice for
everybody, you add in another 2.5 million...look at the MRT
nowadays. At 6 o'clock, it's already jammed up. I think you're
going to have a lot of social problems, a lot of people are going
to be very unhappy," said one Singaporean.
"May not have enough of space unless you develop more reclaimed
areas," said another.
"I'm slightly worried, but in the future if we want anything we
will have to work for it."
"I think its not too healthy to have such a large population.
Perhaps we should have quality population."
Such concerns should be addressed, says one sociologist, otherwise
they will build up to become tensions within the society.
Associate Professor Pauline Straughn, Sociologist, NUS, said: "We
should then therefore look towards this positively but be mindful
that it has to be treated with great sensitivity. You want to
assure Singaporeans that they are not going to be displaced or
replaced, rather this would complement their quality of life and
this will work towards ensuring a more stable Singapore. We have to
be mindful that you have to keep in dialogue with Singaporeans,
continue to engage them."
Professor Straughn says that even as the government grows the
population and embarks on urban planning for the future, it must be
mindful that the hardware must be complemented by the software,
especially when it comes to caring for the elderly
population.
Professor Straughn says: "As we progress, these changes must be
sympathetic to older Singaporeans who may not be able to change as
quickly. When we start to build high-rise, how do older
Singaporeans adapt to it? It's not a matter of leaving an old home
and going to a nice new one, but it's also a displacement of
friendships, community ties, of familiarity."
Professor Straughn adds that it's also important that as Singapore
attracts more foreigners here, it should also take measures to
retain its citizens.
Professor Straughn said: "I think that it's also important that we
look at quality of life, from other aspects like what could make
somebody choose Singapore as home and stay as home. We have to
ensure that to sustain the growth in Singapore, to sustain good
harmonious relations within our country, within our society, we
also look into nurturing relationships, into quality of life.
In terms of housing for the future, property analysts expect
Singapore's landscape to change with more taller buildings to make
up for the lack of land, as well as changes in flat size.
Chris Koh, Director, Dennis Wee Properties, said: "In the area of
housing, not so tight control of height restrictions and we see
apartments going higher. Now you have 2 apartment per level but to
house a bigger population, you'll probably be down to 3 apartments
on that level so therefore I will admit that the apartment may be
smaller."
The government has said it will also look into rejuvenating old
estates to create more space for public housing. - CNA/ch
