IN A first for the Housing and Development Board's Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) - where old precincts are torn down and rebuilt, while residents are resettled elsewhere - affected residents have been given the final say on the name, look and design of their new neighbourhood.
Following a recommendation arising from last July's Forum on HDB Heartware to instill 'a greater sense of ownership' of the new precinct, Sers lessees who used to live at 16 affected blocks in the Kampong Bahru, Silat Road and Henderson Road areas were recently consulted through mail and online surveys, as well as an exhibition and feedback sessions, on their choices for their replacement site at Kim Tian Road.
42 per cent of the over 500 households who responded chose 'Kim Tian Green' as their preferred precinct name, with 'Kim Tian Towers' getting 35 per cent of the vote and 'Kim Tian Heights' 22 per cent.
HDB then submitted 'Kim Tian Green' as its top choice to the Streets and Building Names Board, which subsequently approved the new name.
Another residents-led initiative was the choice of the precinct design. Out of four that were proposed, 44 per cent of residents - the highest number - chose Design A (see attached graphic), which HDB will now adopt.
83 per cent of respondents also liked the suggested locations for facilities like a pebble walk, community garden and family playground, which the HDB will go ahead to build at those selected sites.
Responding to the survey results, Minister of State for National Development Ms Grace Fu said: 'It is encouraging to see that residents want to be involved in the planning of their precinct... for greater community ownership and bonding.'
'The consultation on the provision of common facilities will be carried out in future Sers replacement sites, to enable residents to develop a precinct that they can call their own.'
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