Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Becoming a more Elderly Friendly Estate

This blog entry was triggered off by Resident Yap when he mentioned to me that he would like to make a portable ramp at the edge of the block to make it easier for him to push his mum's wheelchair onto the walkways.

The corridor ends of the Tiong Bahru SIT flats have always like what the picture shows, a drop at the end.



Most of us would probably not think twice about the inconveniences the physically challenged face each day.

In fact, when the I saw the town council men putting up a ramp at Block 27 Lim Liak Street, I was even wondering to myself if there is a need for this.




My conversation with Resident Yap opened up my mind and I realised that though such ramps are probably a non-event for most residents here, it may be something that some amongst us are earnestly looking forward to.

And I'm glad the Tanjong Pagar Town Council is proactive in such matters.


I called them up just to be doubly sure that they will be putting up the ramps for all the blocks here and they confirmed it.

They will be putting up the ramps at all corridor ends here at the Post War side. (Sorry, forgot to ask them about the timeline)


One benefit I can think of for myself is that my kids can now cycle right up to the stairs and I do not need to walk back and forth to pick up their little bikes.

5 comments:

Taoism said...

ya referring to one of your older blogs, it would make it easy for motorbikes to park and drive on the side walks also:)

SGalf said...

The 5-footway may be too narrow for the motorbikes.

But that width is certainly Segway friendly.

I can't wait for the price of the Segway to drop to a more tempting level.

Taoism said...

Ha, that will be a sight seeing you on a Segway rolling down Seng Poh Road. I will snap a picture and put it on my blog for sure!

Nic said...

Hi SGalf

Thanks for your prompt reply.

My frd recently bought a flat there and I quite like the place and I went to see. Looks quite old. It seems that the place has yet to undergo any upgrading. Any idea if the estate will be upgraded soon, since election is around the corner. haha...

SGalf said...

Hi Nic,

I'm not sure by what you meant by upgrading?

Do you mean Extra Utility Area? Lift Upgrading, Extra Toilets etc etc?

Most of the newer residents who bought into this area like the place as it is and I think they hope that this place will be like this for a very time to come.

If the authorities can put in all these "upgrades" without destoying the facade, I think we are all game for it.

But if it is a change that will make all these buildings ugly, I rather forgo all thos amenities.

The choice to live in Tiong Bahru is a deliberate one.

This estate may look old to most people who demand near perfect looking buildings but it is the "oldness" that attracted many of us to call this estate our home.

To us, less is more.