Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Designs for Future HDB Flats
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on future HDB flat designs, specifically regarding provisions for work-from-home spaces. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee highlighted that current HDB flats already offer flexibility for layout reconfiguration and are supported by precinct-level amenities and greenery for resident well-being. The Ministry is actively studying how public housing can better support telecommuting trends and developments in the future of work accelerated by the pandemic. Existing initiatives include universal broadband connectivity and ongoing trials for smart-enabled homes in Punggol Northshore and Tengah to facilitate smart applications for residents. Future designs will incorporate feasible features identified through these studies and feedback gathered from the public as part of the Emerging Stronger Conversations.
Transcript
57 Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for National Development whether the COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on the future designs of HDB flats such as provision for spaces to work from home and, if not, whether HDB will consider factoring such considerations into future flats.
Mr Desmond Lee: HDB flats are designed to provide a living environment that is functional and comfortable. For instance, bedrooms are built with large windows to optimise natural lighting and ventilation, while kitchens are designed to be open to increase the sense of spaciousness within the flat.
HDB flats are also designed to provide flexibility for residents to reconfigure spaces in their homes to meet their needs. For example, columns in new flats are pushed to the edges wherever possible, so that home owners can have more flexibility in reconfiguring their home layout.
These design principles came in useful during the circuit breaker when residents had to work from home and students had to undergo home-based learning.
Beyond flats, HDB has also over the years introduced more greenery, and play and fitness equipment to enhance the living environment in our precincts and neighbourhoods. These extended living spaces give our flat dwellers a respite from the confines of their homes while seeking to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Commercial amenities such as supermarkets and eating houses have also been planned to be within easy walking distance from homes.
We are studying how HDB flat designs can support developments in the future of work, including trends that may have been accelerated by the current pandemic, such as telecommuting. Today, broadband for Wi-Fi ready connections is already available in all public housing flats, facilitating working and studying from home. HDB is also trialing 'smart-enabled' homes in Punggol Northshore and Tengah so that residents can adopt more smart applications. If feasible, we will incorporate these features into future designs. We will also continue to gather views and ideas to improve the design of public housing to better meet residents’ needs, as part of the Emerging Stronger Conversations.