\n<\/p>\n
Doing so could also help to rebalance the trade mix, said Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) Associate Professor of Practice Calvin Chua.<\/p>\n
\u201c(HDB) would probably be able to better control the trade mix and curate the tenants, because if it’s left to the free market then it’s very hard to control and especially for places like Tanjong Pagar, it\u2019s got to do with rent and proximity to the urban core,\u201d said the urban strategist, who is also the founder of design firm Spatial Anatomy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you compare to newer HDB malls that are kind of managed by HDB, they are able to drive a certain trade mix and also certain kind of services that are more catered to the community,\u201d said Mr Chua.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we allow the free market to exist for these older HDB malls, I think we kind of miss the chance to really build or design an environment that really would benefit the community and liveability of that place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, Mr Chua said much comes down to changing perceptions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one thing to get rid of the undesirable shops, but I think if we focus on the possibilities, we can gradually shift the needle and change the perception of that HDB neighbourhood, but it takes a much longer period of time for that transformation to happen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He suggested more \u201cplacemaking\u201d initiatives, which refer to proactively managing spaces to improve them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf (HDB) is unable to take over the units, they can have events or placemaking activities for example \u2026 having some karaoke events for elderly folks by tapping on the courtyard space.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough some of these events, it can perhaps gradually nudge the market in a certain direction, maybe that person who owns the shop will rent it to a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to serve the elderly or similar types of businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Echoing this, Mr Foo said he is working with the Traders\u2019 Association and Residents\u2019 Network to organise more events in the concourse to increase footfall from residents and those working or living nearby.<\/p>\n
A recent survey of more than 100 households by the Tanjong Pagar Plaza Residents\u2019 Network found residents hoped for more family restaurants, F&B outlets, and enrichment centres, he said, adding that the Traders\u2019 Association is sharing these findings to attract suitable tenants.<\/p>\n
While new businesses \u2013 including a music school and physiotherapy clinic \u2013 have moved in, Mr Foo told CNA that it is still \u201cvery early in the process\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn one hand, you need to make sure that there is ample enforcement so that these illegal uses are sort of weeded out, and with them getting weeded out, the overall demand for the shops will become more reflective of the actual demand in terms of what the usual service providers or vendors will be able to pay for rental.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we are able to do that, then we may be able to attract a greater variety of shops, whether F&B, hobbies and craft, enrichment centres – things that the residents look forward to and \u2026 the residents will then start coming back to Tanjong Pagar Plaza.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you\u2019ll have a virtuous cycle because the residents patronise the services, there’s demand for the services, it makes the businesses tenable by moving into Tanjong Pagar Plaza with a variety of services that meet the needs of residents. So that really is the end goal,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
CNA has contacted HDB for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n