You don’t have to look far for failed public housing projects: from crime-ridden New York neighbourhoods to the banlieues of Paris, poorly conceived public housing projects have created ghettoes that intensify inequalities and fuel social unrest. This is why urban strategists often caution against governments building and providing housing themselves, and instead prefer to leave this up to the housing market.

Except in Singapore. Not only do 80 per cent of Singaporeans live in a government-built apartment, up from just 9 per cent in 1959, the city-state consistently scores among the highest in city liveability rankings. Even as one of the densest cities in the world. 

According to Abhas Jha, Practice Manager, Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management at the World Bank, Singapore’s successful public housing model can be replicated around the world. In a blog post he distils the city-state’s recipe for success down to four key ingredients. 

First, neighbourhoods feature mixed-income housing, each having access to high-quality public transport and education. Apartment blocks themselves are designed to encourage social cohesion and interaction between neighbours. 

Second, planners have a smart concept of urban density, with careful attention paid to the height and proportion of buildings in relation to one another as well as the use of high-quality green open spaces between buildings.

Third, the government takes an integrated approach to housing, from planning and design through to land assembly and construction, management and maintenance. 

Finally, public housing in Singapore and enjoys strong popular and political support, which in turn means a high level of public subsidies.