Dwellings

Uncover how we embrace reinvention and strengthen community ties in our homes, to create public housing that is uniquely Singapore’s.

Dwellings chronicles our efforts in creating homes for Singaporeans. We strive to reinvent and transform Singapore’s housing landscape, developing homes that Singaporeans would be proud to live in. Through Dwellings, we share how we create public housing that is uniquely Singapore. 

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Striking a Balance

Singapore strives to be one of the most liveable cities in the world, even though land scarcity presents a perennial challenge for sustainable development. A holistic and science-based approach has guided HDB’s efforts in navigating the delicate balance between development and conservation. With housing demand steadily growing, areas such as Ulu Pandan, Mount Pleasant and Alexandra will be developed to offer more housing options for Singaporeans. In this issue of Dwellings, learn how HDB seeks to preserve heritage and greenery while maintaining a healthy public housing supply.

Through the decades, HDB has kept in step with evolving housing needs and aspirations. With more flats planned for prime areas such as Rochor and the Great Southern Waterfront, HDB launched the Prime Location Public Housing model to ensure that homes in these sought-after central locations remain affordable, accessible and inclusive, so more Singaporeans can get a chance to live near the city centre. 

Even as HDB develops new and modern public housing, the renewal of older towns and estates through holistic upgrading still continues. From home improvements to town-wide rejuvenation, these upgrading efforts bring older flats closer to the standard of newer ones, and ensure that for many more years, an HDB home will continue to be highly liveable and green. 

Many HDB residents across the island have access to extensive greenery at their doorstep. For Pasir Ris resident and wildlife filmmaker Dan Ng, the park near his home not only offers him rich biodiversity to train his lens upon, but also a place where he has forged long-lasting friendships with fellow wildlife spotters.

 

Articles

  • Meet the Dwellers - Through the Eyes of a Wildlife Photographer

    Issue Apr/ May 2022

    Behind the neat, ordered facades of HDB blocks are living compendium of lives, people and stories; some more colourful and compelling than others, but all unique and interesting in their own special way. Photographer Dan Ng hopes to inspire Singaporeans to rediscover nature in their backyard by documenting the hidden wildlife of Pasir Ris town.

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  • Homes Renewed

    Issue Apr/ May 2022

    Even as HDB develops new and modern public housing, the continual renewal and rejuvenation of existing homes and towns are crucial to ensure they remain cherished homes for generations of Singaporeans.

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  • Right in the Heart of Town

    Issue Apr/ May 2022

    The new Prime Location Public Housing model is a balanced approach towards developing new homes at sought-after central locations while keeping public housing inclusive, affordable, and accessible to Singaporeans.

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  • Building with Care

    Issue Apr/ May 2022

    Adopting a science-based, consultative approach to development has strengthened HDB’s role as a responsible land steward, as it balances the provision of public housing with the conservation of nature and heritage.

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  • Meet the Dwellers - Age is Just a Number

    Issue Oct/ Nov 2021

    Behind the neat, ordered facades of HDB blocks is a living compendium of lives, people and stories; some more colourful than others, but all unique and interesting in their own special way. Living by the motto “Never Too Old”, a group of seniors passionate about health and fitness seeks to inspire fellow seniors to keep on moving and age actively in their golden years. 

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  • Building Amidst a Pandemic

    Issue Oct/ Nov 2021

    Amidst manpower shortages caused by the tightening of border controls, disruptions to material supply, and stringent safe management measures imposed on worksites, HDB and its partners have been working tirelessly to deliver BTO flats for Singaporeans.  

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  • Reimagining What's Possible

    Issue Oct/ Nov 2021

    As the first public housing district to holistically incorporate smart features, Punggol Northshore offers an exciting glimpse into the future of HDB living. 

     
     

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  • Health District @ Queenstown

    Issue Oct/ Nov 2021

    In Queenstown, the groundwork has been laid for a future where initiatives to enhance the health and wellness for Singaporeans of all ages are seamlessly built into daily living. 

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  • Meet the Dwellers - Handmade Happiness

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2021

    A carpenter hopes to bring happiness and cheer to his neighbours by handcrafting festive decorations for all to enjoy.

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  • Our Shapes of Home

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2021

    Dwellings invites you to rediscover a world of cherished sights and distinctive spaces captured in our heartlands. These are some of the photos submitted for the Shapes of Home photo contest held in September and October 2020, as part of a collaboration between HDB and SPH’s Photonico platform.

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  • Designing for Life

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2021

    Placing the holistic well-being of residents at the centre of its planning efforts, HDB’s new roadmap will guide HDB through its plans, policies, and programmes as it continues to improve and enrich the lives of residents over the next decade.

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  • Steering a Vision

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2021

    Having steered HDB towards creating a new generation of public housing in Singapore in the last decade, Dr Cheong Koon Hean concludes a remarkable career after 40 years of public service, much of which has been devoted to shaping Singapore’s urbanscape.

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  • Meet the Dwellers - The Heartland Hero of Chai Chee

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2020

    Behind the neat, ordered facades of HDB blocks is a living compendium of lives, people and stories; some more colourful than others, but all unique and interesting in their own special way. To ensure less privileged students in Kembangan-Chai Chee are able to enjoy opportunities and new experiences, Fung Chun Chang dedicates his time to mentoring them and creating a community where they can belong.

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  • The World Beyond Walls

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2020

    Beyond four walls, an HDB home extends into the wider precinct and town, where thoughtful greening and landscaping concepts have been put in place to drive green and sustainable living for the future. 

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  • A Singaporean Dream

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2020

    Across global cities, where inflation and high cost of living have made home ownership out of reach for many, Singapore stands out as a nation of home owners, supported by a range of housing options and policies that cater to various needs.

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  • Housing a Nation

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2020

    For 60 years, HDB has focused its attention on building quality homes for Singaporeans. A willingness to experiment and embrace change has created a distinctive brand of public housing that has pride of place in the lives of its residents. 

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  • Meet the Dwellers — A Cut Above the Rest

    Issue Sep/ Oct 2019

    Behind the neat, ordered facades of HDB blocks is a living compendium of lives, people and stories; some more colourful than others, but all unique and interesting in their own special way. A barber offers more than just haircuts in her heartland shop, as she seeks to bring people closer together and make a difference in her community.

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  • A Journey in Service Transformation

    Issue Sep/ Oct 2019

    The HDB Service Master Plan was drawn up to ensure that HDB customers are cared for at every stage of their service journey. By leveraging Design Thinking and technology, HDB is providing a more convenient and personalised experience for its customers.

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  • Partners in Co-Creation

    Issue Sep/ Oct 2019

    More than just flat owners, our residents are instrumental in shaping active, thriving communities in HDB towns. With the many community programmes introduced to spur ground-up participation, more residents have been playing an active role in co-creating and enlivening community spaces in their neighbourhood.

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  • Building Future-Ready Homes

    Issue Sep/ Oct 2019

    To advance its goal of building well-designed, quality homes, HDB has been on a continual quest to deepen its expertise in construction technology. More recently, new partnerships and research projects have broadened the horizons to keep HDB towns future-ready.

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  • Meet The Dwellers – Championing the Community Spirit

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2019

    A home-grown group of chapteh players is keeping the heritage activity alive, with hopes of reigniting its popularity across the heartland.

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  • Heartland Play

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2019

    The ubiquitous playgrounds in HDB estates have evolved from being just simple play areas into vibrant civic spaces and iconic landmarks.

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  • LIVINGSPACE

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2019

    Capturing nearly 6 decades of Singapore’s public housing journey, HDB’s revamped gallery tells its story through an immersive, multimedia experience.

    Read more

  • Distinctive HDB Towns

    Issue Feb/ Mar 2019

    HDB Town Design Guides chronicle the history, vision, and distinct character of each of our 24 towns, guiding and unifying the development of each town.

    Read more

Dwellings

eBooks

Check out the eBook versions of Dwellings:

In 2022

Issue Apr/ May 2022

In 2021

Issue Feb/ Mar 2021

 

Issue Oct/ Nov 2021


In 2020

Issue Feb/ Mar 2020

In 2019

Issue Feb/ Mar 2019

Issue Sep/ Oct 2019

In 2018

Issue 1/ 2018

Issue 2/ 2018

In 2017

Issue 1/ 2017

Issue 2/ 2017

Issue 3/ 2017

In 2016

Issue 1/ 2016

Issue 2/ 2016

Issue 3/ 2016

In 2015

Issue 1/ 2015

Issue 2/ 2015

In 2014

Issue 1/ 2014

Issue 2/ 2014

In 2013

Issue 1/ 2013

Issue 2/ 2013

In 2012

Issue 1/ 2012

 

 

 

FAQ

 

What is Dwellings?

Dwellings is a publication by the Housing & Development Board, Singapore’s public housing authority. Through Dwellings, we want to share how we create quality and affordable public housing that is uniquely different, and also uniquely Singapore’s.

Can I share the content (article/ photos) from Dwellings on my personal blog?

You can share the link to Dwellings on your personal blog or social media pages. For reproduction in print media, social media and for any other purposes, please contact us at dwellings@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg.

How can I subscribe to Dwellings?

You can subscribe to Dwellings via the HDB eAlert service (under Section D: Publications)

If you would like to receive a print issue, please email us at dwellings@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg.

How can I get involved with Dwellings?

Dwellings is a platform for sharing of ideas, works and projects that promote and advance quality and sustainable housing. We welcome contributions from all who share a keen interest in housing and habitats, whether you are an academic, industry practitioner or professional.

If you would like to contribute an article, do email your article or the synopsis to the editorial team at dwellings@mailbox.hdb.gov.sg and we will get in touch with you.