http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/...-sers-20131220
Residents 'still strongly support Sers'
Published on Dec 20, 2013
By Janice Heng
SUPPORT for the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) remains strong among affected residents, according to a survey released by the Housing Board yesterday.
Of the 628 households polled, 87 per cent supported the scheme, which redevelops ageing HDB blocks and offers new flats to residents who have to move out.
One of the objectives of Sers is preserving community ties, as residents can move to new flats together. For most of those surveyed, this was achieved.
Almost seven out of 10 said that their relationships with neighbours got better or remained the same.
More than eight out of 10 felt their community life had stayed intact or improved. And almost everyone - 99 per cent - felt "a strong sense of belonging" in their town or estate.
In a blog post, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the survey reaffirmed previous findings of strong support.
Support has ranged from 85 per cent to a high of 95 per cent - in 2011 - since the biennial survey started in 2001.
Mr Khaw held up Clementi as an example of a town that has benefited from Sers.
The first Sers site there was announced in 1997, and since then, 2,800 households have moved into their new flats.
Today, flats there are highly sought after and the town centre features an award-winning mixed development including Clementi Mall, flats and a bus interchange.
But Mr Khaw added that Sers is "not only about creating new hardware". "We make a conscious effort to develop the heartware by keeping community ties strong."
The HDB and People's Association grassroots organisations also help out by holding parties at Sers replacement sites.
At the Casa Clementi party, residents came together to paint murals for their precinct, "renew friendships and forge new ones", said Mr Khaw.
"As we rejuvenate other towns, residents' community bonding will remain our priority so that residents will enjoy a better living environment in the modern kampung that belongs to them."
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