VOID BUT TEEMING: IMPACT OF SOCIO-ECONOMICS ON SINGAPORE’S VOID DECK CULTURE

Back to Page Authors: Zwe Lynn Maung, Sokuncharia Srey

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Keywords: void deck, spatial-culture, socio-economics, contemporary communal identity, Singapore

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Abstract: The Void Deck has been an ever-presenting element on the ground floor of Singapore’s public housing projects since its inception in the 1970s. It is an undetermined yet flexible space that allows for a mixture of multicultural activities and the diverse ethnic community of Singapore to interact, resulting in a unique spatial culture that is Singaporean public housing identity. In the context of contemporary Singapore, however, the Void Deck is gradually losing its spatial-culture and identity because of the changing socio-economics values. The paper argues the influence of socio-economics on Singapore’s Void Deck by exploring different typologies of, as well as activities within, the Void Deck and the spatial culture that it generates. Studies are done empirically on different generation public housings, in order to understand the elements that sustain the unique spatial-cultural dynamic. It is concluded that although the void deck is one of Singapore’s national heritages, its underutilization and mismanagement has degraded its value to a mere representation of spatial emptiness. This study also suggests possible ideas that can reactivate these spaces so they can comply with contemporary needs.

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