Excerpts from CNA Forum:
Upgrading if done efficiently and cost-effectively has its advantages and purposes. But it seems that most people think upgrading is a sure plus and good thing to have. That is not necessarily true.
I have seen upgraded estates that has "redunant features" (sitting
corners with no shelter in the open subjected to hot sun and rain),
wasteful changes (rehack cement floor to just put on a new coat) or
superficial facelift (Add a facade to the building front) and overly
lavish landscaping.
Are all upgrading done to merely pushed up property prices of that
estate? What benefits does it has except to make cost of living goes up
- becos the next buyer that comes is also another S'porean. What one's
gain is another's loss. This merely push prices up and make cost of
owning flats upwards and cascade down to the shops/market in the area,
rentals, business cost and food etc....
If upgrading is done properly & have real practical uses, lift
that stops at every floor, covered walkway from bus stops/MRT stations
etc...then it is real value for money and benefit the residents. As
pointed out upgrading is not free, the residents had to co-pay as well.
But sadly to say, most upgradings had been used by PAP as an
election carrot and carried out without putting real effort to maximise
the value, resulting in high wastage (under utilised becos of poor
design) high costs and pushing prices (hawker food, neighbouring shops)
in the end.
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