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A Quiet Oasis in a Busy World
from FROM BEGINNING TO END Landscapes for the vulnerable as a catalyst for a better neighbourhood for all
Queenstown is one of the oldest estates in Singapore, with over 42% of its residents being elderly. There is a need to create safe, inviting environments for them to age in place, but with rapid urbanisation, this vulnerable group’s needs are often overlooked.
Elderly require settings where they can connect with one another, satisfying their emotional and social needs. Nature is also very beneficial for them as physical activity in green spaces can be linked to better moods, decreased chance of depression, reduced stress levels and improved cognitive function.
Through using textures (visual, sound, tactile), I envision the development of a quiet respite amidst a busy world, allowing the elderly, especially those with anxiety, an escape where they can explore their outdoor environments and connect with the people around them.
The chosen site is a linear space located next to a bus stop, taxi stand, and Queenstown MRT Station. It presents a good opportunity to activate the space and prioritise people, while providing a naturalised breathing space where they could rest after a long day.
a quiet oasis in a busy world
Kampong Mei Ling
Ling Wei Shuen Benjamin
A recent DukeNUS Medical School survey, which gathered nationally representative data of more than 2,000 older Singapore citizens and permanent residents, showed that 1/3 of old people perceived themselves to be lonely. This proportion increased with age, from 32% among those aged 60–69 years, to 40% among those aged 80 and above.
As Singapore’s aging population is projected to increase in the coming decades, we seriously have to reconsider new ways of transforming our existing landscapes into a more inclusive and engaging one, especially in our land-scarce Singapore.
Our HDB void decks could offer the best location as majority of Singaporeans have easy access to them.
This proposal displays the potential of turning an aging neighbourhood such as Mei Ling estate (filled with its rich vernacular heritage and unique cultural practices of yesteryear) into a new cultural destination filled with reconfigured common spaces that encourages residence to use and explore while intermingling with others and having the freedom of expressing themselves through the decorations and customisations of spaces similar to what is seen in their own homes and corridors.
