My City, My Home.

I personally feel that living in Singapore is a blessing and a privilege. Our nation is well developed and well taken care of in most aspects by our government and leaders.

In the article given – Vision of future Singapore by Carolyn Quek and Ang Yiying, we are aware that we indeed have a caring government when the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) implemented a Concept Plan 2011 which aims to make Singapore a more inspiring, inclusive and vibrant city to live, work and play in. It states in the article, “Among the ideas are to create desirable housing for the elderly, develop a transport network that lets people get around the city easily, and allow places with distinct character to grow.”

Some of the above statement mentioned has already been in fact fulfilled, while the rest are still in the midst of “construction-in-progress”. A good example would be my grandmother who lives in Yishun, Chong Pang City to be specific. Each time I pay her a visit, I would be spending most of the time with her around the neighbourhood. In the heart of the Chong Pang neighbourhood, you can find markets and food centres selling cheap and delicious local delicacies. There are also beauty salons, Chinese physician and medical halls, pharmacies, clinics, mini-marts, furniture shops, children learning centres and many more. There is also a Chong Pang Community Club. Schools are also nearby. Transportation to Chong Pang and back home is also very convenient through bus and train too. I feel that the facilities and environment there are indeed elderly-friendly as our elderly get to enjoy transportation convenience, good food, accessibility to purchase daily necessities and goods and also involvement in great range of activities through the Community Club and neighbourhood events.

This area has been well developed to cater to our elderly and it is also seen as attractive to many young people who desire convenience and accessibility. This way, there might be a higher possibility that our senior citizens get to stay near their children and family members. It would then fulfill one of the aims that URA wants to achieve: To allow senior citizens to live next door to their children.

Another aim of the URA is to develop a transport network that lets people get around the city easily. It is now on-going in process. The Bukit Timah Line will be completed in 2015. It will be an efficient and convienient way for the people there (especially the elderly) to travel to town area or back home through this line.

In conclusion, I feel that the Government's efforts to make Singapore a better place and their constant efforts to cater to our aged population are progressing positively. In my opinion, I feel that every neighbourhood in Singapore should follow the good example of Chong Pang City - to have its surroundings and facilities improved to cater to our citizens' needs. We should also give our full support, ideas and suggestions to improve the Concept 2011 as it will ultimately, benefit our quality of life.

Commented By: Rebecca Ho Tsuey Zhen (107063N)

Sources: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10330p.nsf/w/ShopperYishun2?OpenDocument

http://hyacinthus.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/bukit-timah-line-construction-starting-soon/