September 1 dialogue: are you invited?
Check your email and junk folder. On Sunday yesterday afternoon, some residents received an invitation to 'Building A Shared Future at Sunset Way & Gillman Barracks' dialogue at Hort Park, 1 Sep, 6:30pm-8:30pm
RVSP deadline is tomorrow.
What is the agenda and dialogue format?
The choice of venue sits up to 200 pax but I suspect it may be closer to 150 residents considering the hosts and facilitators from the gov agencies. Likely HDB and NParks. Maybe the URA. It also depends on the format of the event. How will the organisers ensure an effective joint-dialogue for 2 distinctly different sites with two groups of resident stakeholders (haven't yet heard of non resident invitees).
When submitting your RSVP, please enquire about the dialogue format and agenda. For a chance to input to the organisers beforehand so that the joint-dialogue will be a meaningful one.
For example. A presentation followed by 30min Q&A? Or a 90mins breakout session for real two-way discourse? The agenda and format matters. 6:30pm-8:30pm is just two hours, and across two sites at that.
What is the focus?
Gillman shares deforestation concerns in solidarity with Maju and other remaining forests marked for development. Terrain and ecological consideration for every site is different though. In addition to that, Gillman also has the matter of social heritage and existing community nodes. In my opinion, each site rightfully deserves a dedicated dialogue of its own.
But it is what it is.
And I believe the organisers know this too. Therefore the upcoming dialogue might have a narrow scope of discussion that's limited to refining the Conceptual Housing Plan. DISCLAIMER: This is just my analysis and may not be true as information isn't forthcoming.
I see this dialogue positively though. It is still a rare opportunity to influence design decisions such as:
• Footprint (development vs conservation boundaries)
• Green spaces ratio (forest vs urban green)
• Climate change resilience (urban heat modelling, existing ecosystem benefits wrt flood and air quality)
• Community/social good overlooked
etc
Go prepared. The gov promised a followup engagement and we'll make the best of it!
Who is invited?
Frankly we don't know how members of the public are selected or how many in total. Some will be writing in to HDB to request for a seat at the table.
I'm one of those not invited.
But I am unfazed. Because I have confidence in my neighbours and fellow members of the electorate. The 30 July engagement proved that residents are not lacking in knowledge or vision. In fact, we are valuable stakeholders ready to partner — and debate — with gov agencies for the betterment of the country and until national policy evolves with time.