Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

Good Practices and InnovATIONS in Public Governance
Talking about future plans and the provision of quality services, Mr. Tay, the HDB
CEO summarizes: “Our plans going ahead are to be an outstanding organisation
fulfilling the aspirations of Singaporeans for homes and communities that all are proud
of.”
The HDB is also looking to contribute to the social well-being of Singapore and help
build cohesive communities in HDB estates. Extensive consulta tions were carried
out for estate upgrading and rede velopment programmes to engage the residents.
Other community outreach programmes such as welcome parties for residents in
newly completed housing precincts, public talks and exhibitions were also implemented.
In other words, the housing pro jects are planned in a way that they include a
full range of facilities so that they help build communities and they provide spaces
and facilities for all ethnic groups.
The UNPSA has drawn more attention to HDB from other national organisations and
from public housing programmes in other countries as well. Through workshops and
visits, HDB has shared its experience with countries like China, Thailand, and South
Africa. The HDB initiative has also been fea tured in newspapers in China such as
“The 21 st Century Business Herald; Guangzhou, China. On 7 October 2008, the HDB
was awarded the Sin gapore Quality Award (SQA), which recognizes ex emplary organisations
that have demonstrated out standing management capabilities and delivered
superior performance in business excellence. Regarding the national and international
recognition, the HDB management declared: We are always on the lookout
for new opportunities to do things more effec tively and efficiently. Internally, we
have an Innova tion Promotion programme that steers innovation under the five paradigms
of innovation, which focus on product, service, process, policy and business
mod els. In addition, HDB also submits innovative pro jects/programmes for external
affirmation and in recog nition” (2008 UNPSA Questionnaire).
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