Among the residents of the HDB blocks, there is generally weak intangible identity. There are no projects initiated by residents themselves. Mrs C. Tjoa, a baking enthusiast who has been living in the HDB for 15 years, does not know of any such projects in both her block and the blocks in the surrounding vicinity.
According to Mrs Tjoa, the neighbours on her floor are very close-knit. She would frequently give them her homemade creations, and if she ever has to go overseas, she would ask her neighbours to keep an eye out on her 2 children. However, these strong communal ties only seem to happen on her floor. She does not interact much with neighbours on other floors. This is even more so because in recent years, many HDB residents have been moving out in droves to capitalize on the high property prices. Hence, the constant movement of neighbours dilutes identity as there is no sense of permanence.
Besides this, several of the HDB blocks surrounding HV (i.e. blocks 16, 17 etc. to the public swimming pool) are going to be demolished. This is to allow ‘expansion’ of Holland Village, and a new shopping centre will take its place. The government’s effort to commercialize Holland Village to achieve economic benefits affects its housing policies in turn. If these HDB blocks are torn down, there will be no element of permanence for the residents in these blocks, further undermining the intangible identity.
