On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
Chapter 3 - Housing
1. Housing: How to Provide Homes for All?
Housing
How To Provide Homes For All?
Chapter3
1
2. Key ideas to explore and learn about:
1. What is housing shortage?
2
2. Which cities in the world experience housing
shortage? Why does housing shortage occur?
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
4. What are some strategies used by cities to
manage housing shortage and build inclusive
homes?
3. 1. What is housing shortage?
Insufficient housing to accommodate the
population in an area:
• When the supply of houses cannot meet the
demand for houses (demand > supply);
• When housing is unaffordable for those who
need it.
3
4. 1. What is housing shortage?
How do we know that there is housing shortage?
4
(a) Presence of
homeless people
(b) Presence of slums &
squatter settlements
5. (a) Homelessness
• A lack of shelter in which to sleep & carry out
basic activities (eg. bathing).
• Homeless people suffer from poor health and
illnesses.
5
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
6. 6
(b) Slums and squatter settlements
What is it?
• Urban areas which are heavily populated;
• May have developed without permission
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
7. 7
(b) Slums and squatter settlements
What is it?
• Dwellers build their homes at any available space
using scrap materials;
• The residents have poor quality housing
(usually made of
scrap materials)
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
8. 8
(b) Slums and squatter settlements
What is it?
• Also known as shanty towns /
favela (in Brazil) / barong-barong (in Philippines)
‘favela’ ‘barong-barong’
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
9. 9
(b) Slums and squatter settlements
• Have insufficient basic services
Insufficient basic
services such as:
Because they lack
infrastructure such as:
Electricity Power lines
Clean water / consistent
supply of water
Water pipes
Proper sanitation &
waste disposal facilities
Toilets & waste
management facilities
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
Going to the toilet in the Kenya Slums:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h65tGO2tojQ
12. (b) Slums and squatter settlements
i. Environmental pollution
• The introduction of substances into the
natural environment.
• Damages the environment and human
health.
12
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
14. (b) Slums and squatter settlements
ii. Low level of health due to poor living
condition
• No access to safe drinking water
• Vulnerable to diseases
• Overcrowded conditions rapid spread of
diseases
• eg. dysentery (intestine infection)
• eg. malaria / dengue
14
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
16. (b) Slums and squatter settlements
iii. Vulnerability
16
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
Slum houses often made
of flammable materials
High
risk of
fires Injuries,
deaths, loss
of propertySlums often found
on steep slopes
Landslides
Slums often built
on land without
permission from
authorities
Evictions
Loss of
property, lack
of sense of
security,
social tension
http://www.ndtv.com/vi
deo/player/news/mumb
ai-slum-fire-slumdog-
star-loses-
home/192753
17. 17
(b) Slums and squatter settlements
iii. Vulnerability
Walls and roofs
• tend to be made of
poor quality
materials (eg zinc
and cardboard)
• these materials are
flammable; an
increased risk of
fires.
Foundations
• Weak & unstable walls
• may collapse easily
during natural
disasters (eg floods &
earthquakes).
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
18. (b) Slums and squatter settlements
iii. Vulnerability
18
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
Slum houses often made
of flammable materials
High
risk of
fires Injuries,
deaths, loss
of propertySlums often found
on steep slopes
Landslides
Slums often built
on land without
permission from
authorities
Evictions
Loss of
property, lack
of sense of
security,
social tension
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ne
ws/worldnews/southamerica/br
azil/10524739/Camera-
captures-Brazil-favela-house-
collapse.html
19. 19
• Houses often built on unsuitable sites:
eg. on steep slopes
prone to landslides
eg. in low-lying areas
prone to flooding
• Houses built in dense and disorderly manner
difficult to evacuate during emergencies
(b) Slums and squatter settlements
iii. Vulnerability
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
20. (b) Slums and squatter settlements
iii. Vulnerability
20
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
Slum houses often made
of flammable materials
High
risk of
fires Injuries,
deaths, loss
of propertySlums often found
on steep slopes
Landslides
Slums often built
on land without
permission from
authorities
Evictions
Loss of
property, lack
of sense of
security,
social tension
21. 21
2a. Which cities in the world experience
housing
shortage?
Los Angeles,
USA
Cairo,
Egypt
Beijing,
China
Kigali,
Rwanda
Mumbai,
India
TB pg 70
22. Housing shortage more severe in cities of
less developed countries with large
populations.
More than 50% of the world’s urban
population lives in Asia.
Extent of homelessness varies between
cities in the same country.
22
2a. Which cities in the world experience
housing
shortage?
23. 23
Slums & squatter settlements are usually
found at:
• At the edge of cities;
• Near the city centre
(because there are job opportunities);
• Along major transport routes
(so that residents can travel conveniently)
2a. Which cities in the world experience
housing
shortage?
28. 28
(a) Rapid population growth
• Leads to rapid increase in demand for housing
• When demand > supply = housing shortage
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
Explain why housing shortage occurs [2m]
Housing shortage occurs when there is a rapid
population growth which causes a rapid increase in
demand for housing. Housing shortage results when
the demand exceeds the supply of housing.
30. 30
(b) Migration
• The movement of people from one place to
another to stay for at least a year.
Rural-urban migration:
• The movement of people from rural areas into cities
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
31. 31
(b) Migration
• People migrate due to ‘push’ or ‘pull’ factors.
• The decision to migrate is often a combination
of both factors.
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
‘Push’ factors are the undesirable
qualities of a place people wish to leave.
‘Pull’ factors are the attractive qualities
of a place people would like to move to.
32. 32
Discuss with your partner what are some of the
‘push’ and ‘ pull’ factors for rural-urban migration.
‘Pull’ factors (‘pull’ people towards urban areas)
‘Push’ factors (‘push’ people away
from rural areas)
33. Housing: How to Provide Homes for All?33
• Promise of work
• Better schooling & further education
• More hospitals and doctors
• Perception of exciting city life
• Political stability
• Lack of job opportunities
• Poor educational facilities
• Lack of medical attention
• Famine
• War
‘Push’ factors (‘push’ people away
from rural areas)
34. RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION CHINA
Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/0034
Manila: The pull of the city
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFSAc9cpgjs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgRgjw-kJvU
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
(b) Migration
35. 35
(c) High birth rates
• High birth rates leads to the increase in the
population. Housing shortage occurs when the
supply of houses cannot meet this increased
housing demand.
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
More
babies
born
Increased
population
Need
more
houses!
36. 36
(d) Competing land use
• Land is used for many purposes:
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
37. 37
(d) Competing land use
• If land is dedicated for one purpose, it will
not be available for housing
development.
• Conflict of interest conflict! (eg.
nature in the city; Senoko in 1992-1994)
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
38. Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/0038
The SG government Nature lovers
“Senoko had been earmarked for
‘housing needs’ ”
1) ‘… give me a petition… 17,000
applications…, then we will keep the
Senoko land and keep it for the birds’
3) ‘with the pressing needs of
Singaporeans, I think Singaporeans’
needs come before birds’
Senoko is ‘the richest
bird site in Singapore
in terms of species and
numbers’
2) Managed to get
25,000 people to put
their names on the
appeal letter.
Senoko, 1993-1994
Source: The Straits Times, 1993
39. 39
• Singapore government has committed 17% of
land supply to housing needs. Source:
http://www.mnd.g
ov.sg/landuseplan/
e-book/#/14-15/
40. 40
(e) Limited land supply
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
• Restricted by physical features
• eg. seas, rivers,
mountains.
41. 41
(e) Limited land supply
• Steep slopes are not ideal for housing development
• Expensive to construct
• Landslides can damage buildings
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
42. 42
(e) Limited land supply
• Cities may have small land size
• There is a limit to
how much land
that can be
reclaimed
from seas
• eg. Singapore,
Hong Kong
2b. Why does housing shortage occur?
43. Key ideas to explore and learn about:
1. What is housing shortage?
43
2. Which cities in the world experience housing
shortage? Why does housing shortage occur?
3. What are the consequences of housing
shortage in cities?
4. What are some strategies used by cities to
manage housing shortage and build inclusive
homes?
44. 44
4a. What are some strategies used by cities to
manage housing shortage?
Support with
examples
WHERE is the strategy used?
HOW is the strategy implemented?
WHAT are the successes & limitations?
Describe the
strategy used
use
case studies
45. Let’s flip to textbook page 90
Match them!
45
Slum upgrading
Provision of
public housing
Provision of
inclusive housing
Government’s
effort to provide
housing units
Include facilities
for all
Improve quality of
housing in slum
areas
(left column) Strategies to
manage housing shortage
and build inclusive homes
(right column)
description
48. (i) Slum Upgrading
• To improve the living conditions in slum areas:
• Ways to upgrade slum:
48
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO MANAGE HOUSING SHORTAGE?
Improve quality
of housing
Improve basic
services
Clear
sites
Relocate
residents
temporarily
49. Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/0049
Relocate
residents
temporarily
Example in textbook page 92
Slum residents move
temporarily to an area
with new housing units
equipped with services
Vacated slum area would
be upgraded
Residents can return to
their original sites when
upgrading is completed
In Nairobi, Kenya (partnership
between the government of
Kenya and UN-HABITAT)
New flats built for Kibera residents under the
initiative of the Kenya slum upgrading programme
50. (i) Slum Upgrading
• To improve the living conditions in slum areas:
• Ways to upgrade slum:
50
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO MANAGE HOUSING SHORTAGE?
Improve quality
of housing
Improve basic
services
Clear
sites
Relocate
residents
temporarily
Provide financial
assistance to
fund upgrading
51. Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/0051
Provide financial
assistance to
fund upgrading
Example in textbook page 91
(i) Slum Upgrading
SELF-HELP SCHEMES
Help low-income households improve the
conditions of existing housing / build their own
houses.
Government do not provide housing directly, BUT
provide assistance in other forms instead
(eg. providing construction materials/basic services)
52. Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/0052
Refer to textbook page 91:
What are some advantages and limitations
in the Rocinha Project?
53. (ii) Provision of public housing
• Government efforts to provide housing
units with basic services (usually for low-
income households, elderly & disabled)
• How it works:
53
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO MANAGE HOUSING SHORTAGE?
More reasonably
priced
Subsidised
Public housing projects are
planned, carried out &
funded by government
54. (ii) Provision of public housing
• How to provide public housing?
54
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO MANAGE HOUSING SHORTAGE?
Build new
apartments
Old flats rented
at low price
Abandoned
buildings converted
for residential use
57. 57
What are some successes of
Singapore’s public housing programmes?
Percentage of Singapore’s population living in HDB flats
Source: HDB Annual Report (2013)
TB page 94
58. Presentation Title runs here l 00/00/0058
Partnership
of
STAKEHOLDERS
GovernmentPrivate
sector
Bairro Carioca Project
Provide 2,240 apartments for 10,000 people
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hired to:
• build basic
infrastructure
(eg roads, sewerage
& water systems)
• design & build
housing units
59. Meaning, no one feels disadvantaged/left out.
Everyone’s needs are taken into consideration.
Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP)
when? Introduced in 1989
for what? To promote racial integration & harmony
how? Different races to live in the same
housing estate (ethnic quota)
59
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
60. (i) Affordable housing
• Housing that is priced at a reasonable cost
such that residents still have enough money for
other basic needs.
• Diff housing types
for diff income groups:
60
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
61. (i) Affordable housing
• Diff housing types for diff needs:
61
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
Different needs: Type of housing:
Higher income group Condominiums,
Private houses
Middle income group HDB flats
Elderly/Seniors Studio apartments
Smaller families Three-room flats
62. (i) Affordable housing
• Financial schemes to subsidise cost of flats:
62
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
Financial scheme: Purpose:
Additional CPF
Housing Grant (AHG)
To help low-income
families buy their
first flat
(those earning less than
S$5,000/month enjoy grant
of up to S$40,000)
63. (ii) Facilities and amenities for all ages
• Providing a range of facilities and amenities
for different age groups.
63
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
64. (ii) Facilities and amenities for all ages
• 3-Generation (3G) facilities – to cater to
needs of multigenerational families
64
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
65. (iii) Strong sense of place and belonging
• Sense of place: the meaning and value people
attach to a place because…
• they had good experiences & memories
living there;
• the place is
unique &
special to them.
65
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
The ‘Dragon Slide’ playground in Toa Payoh
66. (iii) Strong sense of place and belonging
• Sense of place: the meaning and value people
attach to a place because…
• the place has distinctive
landmarks / physical
features that gives it a
unique identity
66
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
Buildings with rounded
balconies in Tiong Bahru
67. 67
4a. What are some strategies used by cities
TO BUILD INCLUSIVE HOMES?
(iii) Strong sense of place and belonging
Identify a place in your neighbourhood to which
you feel a strong sense of place and belonging.
List the reasons why you have a special regard for
the place and attach a picture of it.
Picture
Reason
Reason
Reason
Reason