Fenced-off void deck stirs debate on public spaces

Sembawang Town Council recently reinforced the rule of disallowing football by temporarily barricading the void deck of Block 638 Woodlands Ring Road. Assoc Prof Laavanya Kathiravelu from NTU’s SSS said that having a booking system for heartland recreational facilities decreases the instances of more spontaneous play, particularly among children who must rely on adults to mediate play on their behalf. This could lead to less interaction with a diversity of people, as private spaces of the home tend to be ethnically and racially more homogeneous. Individuality in the community then starts to permeate, she said, which could be the reason for the low level of tolerance for noise and disturbance.