Missing Dakota Crescent: How Relocation Impacts The Elderly | Life Uprooted (1/2)

In 2016, residents of the Old Kallang Airport Housing Estate at Dakota Crescent began moving out as the estate - one of Singapore's oldest - was marked for redevelopment. The roughly 400 households of the rental housing estate had been given about two years' notice, and the opportunity to move to brand-new rental flats at a nearby block - 52 Cassia Crescent.
While the modern flats with elderly-friendly universal design features promised seniors a fresh start, for some, the sense of dislocation and unhappiness was tough to deal with. Not only were daily haunts like the market and hawker centre further away now - up to a 30-minute walk for an elderly person with weak legs - the activity centre that was at the heart of residents' social interactions was not moving with them.
From early 2019, CNA Insider tracked how these older residents had fared in the years after being relocated, and looked at the dangers of isolation and disengagement that can result.
0:00 One last look at Dakota Crescent
1:38 The estate where everyone grew up together
5:22 The shock of elderly residents when told they had to move
7:56 Moving a whole village, and the logistics behind it
10:42 Finding their footing after moving to Cassia Crescent
12:40 The real consequences of isolation on physical and mental health
13:52 The loss of familiar faces
14:43 Why Dakota Crescent’s “kampung chief” couldn’t move with the the residents
15:57 New activity centre - and new relationships built from scratch
18:32 Five years on, have residents adapted?
WATCH Part 2 of Life uprooted: Tanglin Halt to Dawson • Bye, Tanglin Halt: How...
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[@stickymoney]

Roger is such an angel

[@Gehslol]

Yes, seems like one who is dedicated and responsible to others. The kind of caring person that we need in the social services. :)

[@andrewtham8093]

I moved to a flat across Old Airport Road in 2004. I used to take my kids to the iconic playground. We know the people featured here. Thanks, CNA, for doing this.

[@zaframo]

Feeling a bit dejected and sad with the policymakers, hdb, ncss, authority...etc. But much heartned to see efforts by volunteers, social service officers on the ground.

[@sirtanchannel5848]

HDB sleeping...

[@celestialstar124]

Those seats along the path are very important for old folks. Many old folks requires to sit down after few steps. Some people with poor health also may need to sit and walk regularly too.

[@marktn9851]

Even better if there are low tabletops around seats for them to place their shopping bags to free those feeble hands for support while sitting or standing.

[@ChirpyChat]

Very good dig into the hidden psychological costs of urban renewal. In the early days when families were removed from kampungs and crowded rooms in Chinatown to spanking new public flats, studies showed that there was a spike in suicide cases.

[@linjeamne9650]

Wow really thank you for making this video and spreading the awareness of relocation is a blind spot especially for elderly!! The Indian uncle was my secondary school cleaner too!!

[@Tammissa]

This is humanity and kindness. If every place could treat the elderly as kindly and respectfully it wouldn’t be so scary for the elderly to change.

[@ClowderBeatsAnimals]

When I lived in Singapore my heart breaks whenever I see an Ahma or Ahkong who collects and push carts of dirty dishes at the hawkers. I know the pioneer generations take pride of being hard workers. I also remember fondly the days when I volunteer at one of the elderly day care. One afternoon, I accompanied them to visit another centre where they expected to sing karaoke. There seemed to be a miscommunication as they weren't allowed to sing but only to watch. Then one of our jolly grandpa started dancing and we all joined in. It was a short afternoon fun but all of them were so happy and I received never ending thanks while we were on the car back to their day care centre. I hope the government will look after their elderlies and provide more engaging and holistic programs.

[@marktn9851]

Don’t understand why Ah Long cannot continue his established services to the same group? While one had been “blind to the needs of those seniors”, he is still in the job while its result still bear by those who r helpless. Is commonsense lacking or intentionally left out to serve bureaucracy? Or simply not having the right man on the job? Why saying Roger isn’t committed to new KPIs when there are willing service provider and willing resident needs? KPIs wasn’t there between their relationship before and things seem to work.

[@noobermin]

You people in singapore are stuck in a world of your own making and aren't doing anything to stop it.

[@marktn9851]

@@noobermin No stereotyping for engaging in self-developing mindset. No one nation is perfect based on past decades of traveling life… 10-20 thousand days spent in US, Europe, Australia, Africa, Middle-eastern, Asia, etc, is my exposure. What’s yr comment based on?

[@michelleleo2505]

I just can't imagine how things would have been without the volunteers. :(. I hope more thought will be be put into when relocating our elderly. Not only were their homes changed, their support systems also changed.:( Really sad. We should stop looking at numbers and KPIs and start treating people like people.

[@stickymoney]

It's sad to know that there is no space & heart for elderlies in a cosmopolitan city.

[@stickymoney]

@Lin Lin Now, imagine yourself at 80 suddenly told to move - bidding farewell to all the bonds built over 30 years, adapting to a new place, familiar faces taken away from you - that is not a walk in the park. It becomes even more unforgiving when you understand that there was no inputs/consensus/agreement/opinion sought from the residents about the impending relocation back in 2016. Having a heart for people is not like this. At 80, monetary compensation isn’t everything. Try feeling powerless & compelled to relocate while having to uproot oneself physically, emotionally and mentally when you are old and frail. Take this activity seriously because this could very well happen to you and me down the road. And when you do, I don’t think you would care how other countries are doing it. What’s worse, if you visit the place today, it is still left untouched without any development. This relocation happened in 2016. Reurbanisation is part and parcel of Singapore’s strategy but how would you explain 5 years of inactivity - letting the abandoned rented flats to decay into voidness with no signs of construction or conservation?

[@deeb.9250]

@@stickymoney this is what Americans do to their elderly all the time... Send to nursing homes, assisted living, memory care, extended hospital stay and rehab. Sg elderly don't have much to complain about to be honest

[@Ramy-ql3tr]

Unless you are wealthy and from elite group.

[@stickymoney]

@Lin Lin Sorry I'm not following your set of arguments. [QUOTE] "Let's not over-dramatize things" [UNQUOTE] doesn't make sense to me; the average lifespan of Singaporeans are well in that range - is living up to 80 overdramatic for you? Secondly, [QUOTE] "it is easy to criticise" [UNQUOTE] that seems to be what you are doing with my opinion with no set of real suggestions. And neither did you read my detailed response to you, which consists of what I think "having a heart" means. If I'm seeing any more piecemeal responses from you, I dont think it's worthy of engaging you. Cheers

[@patl.1640]

@@stickymoney Looks like Lin Lin has left the building. And just as well. 😁

[@lendleasereit6797]

Why do we need KPIs for these services ?!?!

[@noobermin]

some manager somewhere needs a bonus that;s why, have to buy new suv

[@Jaacktang]

so feedback and requests were ignored for Tung Ling to continue serving the residents of Dakota? If the residents like them, already have existing relationship, why were they not allowed to continue just because they couldn't meet some arbitrary "KPI" that NCSS set in the comfort of their air-conditioned offices? MP Lim said it was a "blind spot" - so easy to brush it off with such an excuse. Even after they knew about this blind spot they still wouldn't rectify the mistake. what a bunch of nonsense.

[@bsolutions525]

What you expect from our jiak liao bee civil 'service'

[@marktn9851]

couldn’t hv said it clearer…

[@davidlerh2368]

What a stupid reason things like relationship and bonds between the elderly and Roger cannot be measure by Kpi

[@joeychen3946]

It makes me angry that these things weren't considered.

[@marktn9851]

@@davidlerh2368 does KPI stands for kopi investment funds? Inner circle benefits only?

[@funwithrandom360]

Booting out the previous provider who worked so well with the residents because of “KPIs”? Sounds like bureaucratic speak from an ivory tower

[@siriusblack3121]

Ah long and those volunteers are true angels

[@kevinwong100]

When I moved into a neighbouring block at Dakota Crescent area in early 2019, I thought that these run down blocks had been abandoned. Little did I know how much of a rich community previously existed here. Ah Long and all volunteers don't get enough credit for all the work that they do for the community. Relocation is a huge change for the elderly but we should all be so grateful that there are people out there to lend a helping hand! Let's hope that a similar community can be created when the new blocks in the same area are completed!

[@jamesyue1348]

similar community ? now ? LOL come on la bro wake up la

[@celestialstar124]

Pretty sad that such an outgoing old man can no longer go to the wet market n hwaker to hang out with his friends because no one is escorting him there as it's no longer as easily accessible for them.

[@gohchailengtricia9853]

Oh my God, the ending is sad. Can't help tearing up. 😭

[@yoongikookie4968]

My school brought me here during 2018. It was abandoned. But it had the homely feeling. I even went on the dove playground. The whole place was really windy and spacious. I actually understood why the elderly loved there. It was close to wet market, hawker centre and had many benches for neighbors to talk. Even if the government gave me a free house near the CBD with good amenities and close to mrt, I wouldn't accept it. Its just a different atmosphere

[@khw7462]

My family and I living at Dakota crescent block 10 for more than 25 years but we eventually settled down at Tampines estate. It was a fond memories to watch this documentary.. well done 👍

[@lilykejia]

Learn a lot from this documentary! There is so much can be done.

[@harrow2355]

Roger, your heart and love will be rewarded in so many other ways,you can be sure the Angel's will wrap you in love for kindness and whole heartedness.

[@dchew5552]

wasn't expecting the end to turn out like this.

[@dublintvcontent2023]

Very interesting, insightful and informative video, The human touch is always precious,

[@napoleondynamites4455]

another great production, Ruth! thank you for giving a platform for these stories to be shared

[@jianxianggian2832]

If anyone is keen to learn more about the residents' relocation experiences, do check out the book "They Told Us To Move: Dakota-Cassia" by Dr Ng Kok Hoe (one of the interviewees in this video). This book is really fascinating as it features interviews with several residents (even Roger himself) and reflections by the volunteers (like Lim Jingzhou), as well essays by academics that provide an insightful lens to examine the societal issues surrounding the entire situation.

[@la4828]

No trees, No grass, living in concrete, seeing concrete, breathing concrete.. For young people this is an enjoyable momentary experience - the urban feel, but for retired people like them this is nothing close to an ideal lifestyle. When you get to that age you want to be close to Nature... Seems like this was not even considered when they built Sg to be how it is now... All they wanted from the very beginning is for everyone to live in buildings... No wonder why if u look at the neigboring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia Indo Philippines India inspite of less govt support - elderlies there are happier living in their small simple huts and lands even without elevators or AC - - they have the options to live with elements mother nature provide, trees, grass, rivers, beach... Such a sad sad life for elderlies.

[@Julianimator]

Actually I lived here and very familiar with Dakota - mountbatten, geylang area. Frankly speaking, these areas are still a lot of greens, compared to a lot other places.

[@la4828]

@@Julianimator when I was living in Sg that really is one of the few HDB s that was still lush with greens so I agree. But the new place the govt is moving them to is so far from their community group and markets they've been so familiar with. AND the greeneries - it seems to have only 1 section that has vines the rest are too modern and too city like for them.. I wish ur government would give them a better healthier environment during thwir last few years.. Maybe not a bad idea for them to create a small community with all their friends and markets located in Malaysia where there is a sense of "rurality" so they can be more in touch with natural environment rather than be surrounded by skyscrapers that even us youngsters are getting tired of living in.. A small piece of land to be bought by Sgporean govt specifically for the elderlies - recreate their atmosphere from the last place they were in that needed to be demolished again just to give them their fulfilling last few years 😔

[@Wan-ft4xg]

true

[@Wan-ft4xg]

I lived there since 1976 and its has changed very much

[@peilingchin102]

I stay there for 24 years after I got married that the playground I were went there with my brother catching, catch drain fish n spider what a simple life back then. Miss the older days it a v nice place to live.

[@Wuyh99]

New hdb design very cramp and dark. The sunlights can't go in well, they don't make use of the nature well. Now kampung spirit like gone alr

[@haidendin3271]

This uncle is so cute. They way he say it. 7:32 "..Together we go. We were like a family aah.. together go..."

[@mrpress_r.c1201]

Rebuild that place back with new houses..like b.t.o and bring the memory back.happiness never end..

[@MrBoliao98]

They're already very fortunate live in such a nice place for 50 years. Back in the day when everyone was forced out of the Kampung, where got volunteer hold your hand? No one there to be with you when they just acquire your land and take your farm away. 300m? Srsly? They lived a good life Medical appt wise, there should be a family service centre managing them and making sure they ok.

[@someonejustsomeone1469]

5:37 looks a bit small for old people to read. Resizing it to a large board would have been effective.

[@russelt8559]

Very good rich, in-depth cover!

[@Huvc35]

We all will turn grey and old in time to come. It just saddens me why there are not much plans and choices for them..

[@celestialstar124]

Love the kampung spirit and close community spirit. Sad to see that so many old folks aren't too happy with the move. Often we hear people complain the new flat they are forced to move into are smaller.

[@samlai3362]

Wonder why there are no effort in helping Tung Ling to meet the so called "KPI" ?

[@Gehslol]

Yeahhhh! I would like to know what in the world the KPI was. Please let us know!

[@tanbeizhen]

My ah ma was one of the residents who often turned to Ah Leong then. His current location is simply too far for them to reach to, think >300m far for these old folks. Disappointing @msfcares

[@xuanxuan23]

Head to dokota for a look for the playground and cafe before they move away. It’s a quiet and spacious place. You can see the elderly gathering around during the afternoon rather than staying in their homes. It’s very sad that we won’t be seeing places like this anymore. Slowly we will forget that we were a kampung. My father has been working in Chinatown streets in his 20s before there’s hawker and hdb. In his 30s he move into the estate. Then they grow old there and we grow up there. But soon it will demolish like them. Which will be very sad as the community they have is gone.

[@whatyalllookingat]

In December 2017, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong announced that Dakota Crescent's central cluster of six blocks (10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20) and the Dove Playground will be conserved while the rest will be redeveloped

[@cayuminagamura7827]

These are seniors, no change is safe for them. Relocation means a risk for them.

[@andrewyip6788]

I passed through this estate before.... very interesting

[@serene9239]

Cant imagine the effects of COVID-19 on these elderlies…

[@jupiterlite2907]

This Dakota crescent is currently full hoarded up. A few block & playground will be left

[@rashminable]

15:40 No, I think the question is, who do those KPIs serve? Clearly not the interests of the residents in this case.

[@54hex]

There is a book based on this documentary, "They told us to move Dakota-Cassia" Edited by Ng Kok Hoe (14:50) I bought this book a while ago, and found it interesting as it is written in a different way, this is definitely one of my favourite books so far, you should definitely give it a read!

[@Anhming]

RIP Mr James Fun (: wonder whether u felt depressed after the relocation (: Jia u.......everybody especially Ah Leong

[@hishamsidek4457]

Is the unit a 1room unit at blk 52.? Dosent it has a 2room concept which has 1 bedroom.?

[@768jefiline7]

When is the Bendemeer Road relocation? I am waiting for ten years now.

[@tommyGeylang1637]

Aging population is scary... Jalan batu area too ..

[@Ashyy-jd3ry]

why was the elderly relocation flats is on a higher floor plan compare to the lower floor plan standard they used to , they should reevaluation the lots no more higher than 5 level floor plan limit per elderly limit

[@setsuro.splice]

:( the ending saddens me.

[@Ramy-ql3tr]

Consider yourselves lucky that you still have a place to live, people who can provide you with food, medical and assistance. Most countries wouldn't bother doing such things for their seniors. Stop complaining, you have lived your life, soon you will leave all behind.

[@jrukawa11]

the price of progress

[@calvintan2212]

It all about the land value .....

[@tonykwok9763]

HDB 99 YEAR LEASE TIMEBOMB? NO DIFF?

[@TechTagged]

I hope the government do not tear down and remove the last kampong at Buangkok .

[@kehidupankanada]

Haha i support u aunty...birds nest😇😅🤣

[@chenen2995]

part twooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@caedanteng5417]

Is like growing plants why repot where there is no need to repot ?.🙄 Unless, there's a need. Why not incorporated old design to new flats ?. Like semi shade bright corridor. Instead of dark and cool shady corridor. Nowadays, new flats are becoming like pigeon holes and prisons. 😊

[@ksoo8938]

ain t a bit too less for what 1000 where to start

[@155dorcas]

Didn’t stacked homes just make a vid about this?

[@amusedtofu]

Yes but this is much better though. It's all about the residents of the old estate.

[@pinkcotton94]

wow, can't believe there's super mean comments here.

[@ernestkj]

Is uncle James the person who sells sugar cane juices in old airport hawker?

[@alvinf1209]

This documentary is a bit sad :(

[@mariantia926]

I have only 1 wisdom to the people who created all these inconvenience to old people or senior is that the day when you are as old as them, you will experience the same pain, same difficulties, same unwell of the body especially the leg power and heart power. This is the reality of a senior or old people majority sign and symptom. It is true and everyone will go through one day. Just keep in mind.

[@KironManuelCards]

Another mistake of Singapore

[@impartialanalyst4392]

John 14:6 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me........

[@praba991ify]

Jesus was a Jewish man

[@boyan619]

if you wanted to know should just ask directly to the JUNTA PAP instead

[@blackthorn5620]

This is how housing problems should be resolved. The world should learn from Singapore.

[@amusedtofu]

You didn't watch the video did you? It's actually a sad video about the relocation of the elderly from the old estate.

[@serene9239]

@@amusedtofuunfortunately it was a necessary move. The lifts were so old that they couldn’t even find parts to fix it…

[@beancooks]

@@serene9239 the lifts being too old just sounds like excuses to a largely financially motivated move to me. Many older HDB developments have lifts added on to them all the time (my area included). The existing lifts could have been taken off service and new lifts added to the blocks. One can only take a guess as to the real reason why they wanted to relocate these elderly that paid meagre monthly rent on their spacious rental flats.

[@ahgong9209]

Walu what so unique about them? Everyone is moving round! I also don’t want to move away from old airport too! Stupid mbt

[@_mw55_]

HDB is government. clear as crystal. government say you go, you must go. Welcome to Singapore.

[@jamesbong1257]

under 30 year old here. Our Government provided them with the house in the first place for very cheap and under the terms of lease with HDB and considering the needs of our country's next generation and the best use of our land, they have the right to relocate them and it is best. Singapore does not exist just to serve one generation and while we should recognise their contribution, this cannot be unconditional and unrealistic. These plots are underutilised due to low density and they would be better utilised by building new BTOs which have a denser and taller layout, and also to meet the needs of future generations by restarting the 99 year lease. To those who complain about inaccessibility, think about the young couple who needs to travel X bus stops and X mrt stations to get to work for the rest of their much longer lives. This project, right next to Mountbatten MRT, is urgently needed. CNA should do a few insider documentaries on the new communities and young people moving in to these new BTOs as well to present a fair and balanced opinion.

[@Vapour85]

Coming from someone close in age , you sound extremely entitled and whiny. My commute to work is 2.5hrs a day, and it's just a little tiring. For the elderly that can barely walk, 300m might as well be at the other end of the island without help. For you, it's a matter of convenience of "x bus stops and x mrt stations". For them, it's literally a death sentence. CNA even featured a researcher to talk about the topic. Nobody is saying no to progress. It's to temper it with some empathy and ensure that the move is done with as much humanity as possible.

[@noraschultz689]

That Assistant Professor is speaking English or his own bloody language? Can’t they get a local to take his position who can speak clearly in English????

[@JesusLovesHisCreations]

Here’s the problem…u get new foreign citizens who do not understand how a certain Singapore community works, n they just design the community as according they like…geeze … n instead of solving Singapore social problems, these new citizens created new n more Singapore social problems

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

All the Singaporean heritage will be gone,Just to please the new citizens and their votes and investments in their country

[@jarrodyuki7081]

dont care about the elders.