Speech by Minister Khaw Boon Wan at the Launch of HDB Community Week 2015
May 22, 2015
Good morning. Welcome to the launch of HDB Community Week 2015. We are here to celebrate strong community spirit in our heartlands and to recognise our residents’ efforts to make our neighbourhoods a pleasant place to live in.
“Celebrating LIFE in the Heartlands”
2 This year’s theme is “Celebrating LIFE in the Heartlands”. And there is much to celebrate, when you have a strong community of fellow residents, when you have good neighbours who are your friends, and when you have strong memories of your HDB town. The rewards are plentiful.
Community-designed Projects
3 And that is why every now and then, HDB gather residents to involve them in the design, in the planning of their neighbourhoods, and to co-create meaningful community projects. This way, residents will develop a greater sense of ownership of their town, and can then play a more active role in their community.
4 The Hello Neighbour Project at Tampines is a good example. Two initiatives under the project are the ‘Social Linkway’ and ‘Neighbourhood Incubator’. The Social Linkway is a common walkway with adjacent new social spaces for the residents there to interact. The Neighbourhood Incubator is a one-stop hub for community activities. A void deck within Tampines Central is being transformed for this purpose.
Heartland Youthoria!
5 We particularly welcome our youths to direct their energy and passion to community building initiatives. Heartland Youthoria! gathers the many good ideas contributed by our young. One such project is this story book for pre-schoolers, ‘Maddie's New Neighbours’. This project promotes neighbourliness and is a sequel to the first book that we launched last year.
6 Another project is the “Gracious Living @ Punggol Parcvista” community clay art mural. Art brings people together. And the mural captures our youths’ aspirations of gracious and harmonious living. You can see a replica of the mural here at the exhibition.
Good Neighbour Award 2015 and Good Neighbours Video Competition
7 This is the fifth year when we are handing out the Good Neighbour Awards to profile HDB residents who have made a difference to the lives of their neighbours. Tomorrow, 14 such individuals will be recognised as recipients of the Award.
8 At the ceremony, we will also unveil the winning entries of The Good Neighbours Video Competition. I hope their stories will inspire more residents to come forward and to do their part.
Toa Payoh, a town as old as Singapore
9 This year Singapore turns 50 and so does the Toa Payoh town. Its development runs parallel to the progress of Singapore. From a backward swampland, Singapore’s first new town fully planned and built by HDB, is today bustling and thriving.
10 Toa Payoh holds a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans. This is evident in the SG Heart Map contributions. Many Singaporeans have shared their personal special memories of this town. It is therefore apt that we commemorate Toa Payoh’s 50th anniversary with a Toa Payoh e-Photo Book and Exhibition. The Book is more than just a historical recollection of the town’s landscape. It is a showcase of the town’s community spirit. More than 200 images have been gathered from the residents; so do check it out at the exhibition.
Conclusion
11 HDB Community Week affirms HDB’s commitment to not just build homes, but also to create cohesive communities. At SG50, it is appropriate to reflect on the kind of community we want to live in, what kind of neighbours we want in our community, and importantly what sort of neighbours we can be towards others. Strong communities will remain the foundation pillars for a successful Singapore. It is this community spirit which will see us through the next 50 years and beyond. Thank you.