SINGAPORE – To create a more inviting environment at void decks, Spottiswoode Park resident Roy Fung suggested beautifying the tables and chairs with various themes.
“Void decks tend to be places where people just pass by. I wanted to have a standout feature – such as a seaside or forest theme – that will encourage conversation among residents,” said the 57-year-old, who has been living in the estate for 25 years.
A total of $130,000 was granted to bring his idea to life at seven void decks in the estate, under Singapore’s first participatory budgeting trial. The amount comprises the cost of materials, epoxy coating to seal the designs onto the tables, as well as labour.
The trial gave residents a say in how funds are allocated, from proposing ideas to deciding on neighbourhood improvements.
Another two ideas for a reflexology pebble path and stone seats were granted $48,000 and $10,000 respectively.
Residents were involved from the start – from suggesting the improvements they hoped to see to coming up with a full proposal themselves.
Six proposals were shortlisted from 162 ideas and put to a vote in July. The three winning proposals received a total of $188,000. The three other ideas that did not receive enough votes were for a rock climbing wall, a pickleball court and barbecue pits.
The total budget for this participatory budgeting exercise – a collaboration between Tanjong Pagar Town Council and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) – was $200,000 and was drawn from the Future-Ready Society Impact Fund administered by the Tote Board.
Fung, who is also the Residents’ Committee chairman for the estate, said he met his team of six weekly to firm up the details of their proposal – from the concept to the budget and execution.
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