thumb|right|A void deck under a HDB apartment block in Singapore.|284x284px

Void decks refer to the open areas on the ground level of Housing and Development Board (HDB) public housing buildings in Singapore, which are commonly known as HDB blocks. They are one of the most used public spaces in housing estates. The first void deck was implemented in 1963 at Block 26 Jalan Klinik. The void deck is used for a range of casual community activities such as playing board games, exercising, and socialising. Void decks today are occasionally populated with convenience stores (including mama shops), early education centres, community clubs, senior citizen clubs, and coffee shops. These receptions take place throughout the day and typically invite over 1,000 guests, who are not required to stay for the entire duration, in line with Malay customs. They often take place over few days and family members and relatives take turns looking over the venue overnight, typically playing games such as mahjong to keep themselves awake. In 1973, HDB referred to the open ground level as a 'void area' in the government panel in the newspaper. However, HDB did not utilise the term "void deck" in their annual reports until 1977–1978. Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim Former Minister for Ministry of Communications and Information stated that the term "void deck" is a uniquely Singaporean one. The void deck's large open spaces allow for a variety of temporary functions, acting as "a space that can serve community needs." According to the biography of late SNOC president and law minister E.W. Barker, edited by Susan Sim, the initial idea of the void deck originated from a 1973 conversation Barker had with former Secretary General S.S. Dhillon while driving at Kim Keat Road towards Toa Payoh. Barker commented on children being drenched in the rain, suggesting, "If only we could raise buildings one level up."

However, Scholars like Louisa-May Khoo and Stephen Cairns echoed the official view that the void deck exists to mix people up, to promote social interaction between people in Singapore's ethnically diverse, multicultural, and multi-religious society. In 1989, the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) was introduced, which kept the percentage of each racial group in HDB blocks in line the national CMIO racial composition. It is suggested that the presence of void decks below HDB blocks would promote social interaction and contribute to fostering racial harmony.

1990s to 2000s

thumb|Mural at the void deck promoting scam awareness|428x428px

In the 1990s, seeing that certain void deck spaces were regularly populated by senior citizens, "Senior Citizens' Corners" were created. When the first void deck community garden was established in Tampines in 1999, there was an increasing demand from seniors to convert more open spaces into gardening areas. In 2006, The Committee on Ageing Issues (CAI) called for more void decks to be utilised for senior activities. Newer void decks are also smaller in size.

2000s to 2010s

By the 2010s, the void deck had become normalised as a point of departure and rendezvous for people going for work, school, or the market on the weekdays. The COVID-19 restrictions saw frequent and public cases of residents flouting rules which were recorded and shared through social media along with misinformation.

Void deck issues

Depending on its users, the void deck can either be a space for wholesome community bonding or a site for inconsiderate behaviour. When there are complaints regarding void deck use, the government often urges communication between residents. On 23 November 2023, a netizen contacted TMSG and commented that the decision was 'ridiculous.' The first section consisted 20 poems about life in Singapore revolving the void deck. The first one goes as follows:<blockquote>Long after the birdsong ends

spirits gather that never left

drawn by the memory of a well-loved face

drawn by the life of an empty place The artist statement on the website is as follows:

<blockquote>Chow juxtaposes different locations with a single shot, creating an ambiguous “Void” that exists only within the photograph. On the other hand, Tang suggests the extension of space through her charcoal drawings of the city’s transitory spaces such as “Void Decks”, corridors and underground passageways.</blockquote>On 22 August 2023, an HDB estate-themed cafe called Lou Shang by Mama Diam opened on Prinsep Street.

See also

  • Common area
  • Undercroft

References

  • Housing and Development Board