Written answer by Ministry of National Development on the utilisation of open space car parks in HDB estates and conversion of those underused to communal areas

Nov 8, 2022

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Minister for National Development

(a) whether the Ministry is reviewing the utilisation rate of open space car parks in HDB estates; and
(b) whether the Ministry will consider partially converting those with lower utilisation to communal initiatives like wellness and care facilities for seniors.

Answer:

HDB monitors the utilisation rate of HDB car parks to ensure that there is a good balance between providing season parking lots for residents and having sufficient capacity for short-term or visitor parking. Parking utilisation rates vary across car parks as these are dependent on various factors, such as the flat mix, profile of residents and the number of visitors to the estate.

2.       For car parks where parking utilisation is lower, HDB will consider repurposing them for other uses, subject to factors such as technical feasibility, proximity to residential blocks, configuration of the car park, impact to the traffic circulation, and an assessment of the potential dis-amenities to residents. Following such studies, HDB has converted the upper levels of some Multi-Story Car Parks (MSCPs) for urban farming and social communal facilities.   

3.       Should the Member have any specific car park in mind, she can surface a request to HDB for consideration.