4 Ways Singapore’s Housing Story Speaks to South Africa’s Informal Settlements

Introduction

South Africa’s informal settlements are one of its toughest challenges: overcrowding, poor infrastructure, and unsafe living conditions affect millions. For many, “housing policy” feels like a political promise that rarely becomes reality.

Singapore faced a similar crisis in the 1960s. More than half a million people lived in slums with no sanitation, unreliable water, and little hope for change. Within a generation, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) transformed the city-state into one of the world’s most celebrated examples of affordable, inclusive housing.

South Africa’s scale is larger, and its context different—but the principles that drove Singapore’s transformation carry valuable lessons.

Here are four that could be adapted:

1. Housing as a Right, Not a Privilege

Singapore declared from the start that decent housing was a basic right for every citizen. This shifted housing from a “market good” to a national mission.

In South Africa: RDP housing projects could be reframed not only as shelters, but as the foundation for dignity, health, and opportunity—moving beyond delivery targets to long-term community well-being.

2. Integrated Communities, Not Segregated Spaces

Singapore used deliberate design policies, such as the Ethnic Integration Policy, to prevent racial enclaves and promote daily interaction across communities.

In South Africa: With a history scarred by spatial apartheid, housing must be planned to integrate income groups, provide access to schools and clinics, and prevent new forms of segregation from forming.

3. Affordability by Design

Singapore kept prices within reach through subsidies, 99-year leaseholds, and a commitment to cost efficiency.

In South Africa: Instead of focusing only on “number of units delivered,” projects should prioritize affordability mechanisms, flexible ownership models, and community financing schemes that make housing sustainable for the long term.

4. Iterative, Not One-Off Solutions

Singapore didn’t get it right overnight. It piloted, tested, and improved housing estates over decades—adding features like solar panels, green spaces, and digital upgrades as needs evolved.

In South Africa: Informal settlements could be upgraded step by step, starting with sanitation and safety, then gradually introducing permanent housing and integrated services. Pilots should be tested in one township before scaling nationally.

Conclusion

Singapore’s housing story is not about copying flats and policies. It is about turning crisis into opportunity through inclusive planning, affordability, and long-term commitment. For South Africa, the lesson is clear: informal settlements don’t have to remain permanent features of the urban landscape. With the right mindset, they can be transformed into thriving, integrated communities.

That is how The Singapore Way speaks powerfully to South Africa’s future.