Understanding Participatory Design of Public Housing Renewal in Singapore: From the Perspectives of History, Strategy and Reflection

Abstract

In response to alienation of human-earth relationship and weakened community bonding resulted from rapid urban development since 1960s, a series of participatory design projects have been launched by the Singapore government in cooperation with related grassroots organizations and researchers, promoting distinctive working model and space prototype. This paper traces the development history of participatory design in Singapore and investigates related public housing renewal projects, so as to conclude operational strategy of Singapore model and to discuss its practical and theoretical significance and enlightenment.