Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Externalities: Lifts A Necessity?
Recently there has been mixed feelings about the new housing blocks upgrading scheme introduced by the Singapore government, one of the most popular topics is the upcoming new lifts that stops on every level. However, this is not implemented in every residential area, which is a controversial topic among Singaporeans.
The objectives of these lift upgrades is a part of a broader exercise to help struggling small- and medium-sized contractors get through the worsening recession by offering them a range of projects, each valued at S$50million or less.
This is an externality because it does not only benefit the contractors, but also the people living in the residential blocks, where the lifts are to be upgraded. These positive externalities, also known as external benefits, are applicable to this, for a few reasons.
Residents experiencing mobility difficulties, like the elderly and the less fortunate, can have some relief from constant climbing of steps to reach their homes. Lifts on every level will help elderly to ease the tension from their bodies and reduce the friction between joints. While, on the other hand, help disabled personnel to reduce the risk of injury whie navigating the stairs.
Another reason is the convenience of the lift. For example, a resident requiring medical assistance needs to be rush to the hospital in the shortest time possible, medical personnel would be able to use the lift. This will reduce the time needed to reach the hospitial, as compared to going down the steps of the stairs. The introduction of lifts on every level will shorten the time at least by half.
In addition, if a resident requires moving bulky or heavy items, it would be much easier to transport the items with lifts on every level. This will help reduce the risk of injury while carrying it up and down the stairs.
Before the government decides to introduce this scheme, the lifts are not accessible to every level. It causes inconvenience to the residents as they still need to climb a certain number of steps before actually reaching their houses.
However, there are negative externalities too. For one, during this upgrading of lifts, the construction has cause significant inconvenience for the residents living in the areas, as one of the lifts has to be condone off for upgrading.
The remaining working lift would have to cater to the residents in the block, and they would need to wait longer for the lift during the peak hours and busy periods. If the working lift were to break down, residents living on the higher levels will be the ones affected the most as they have to walk down the stairs.
Adding on to it, the construction will cause much noise and disruption during the upgrading period, and also dust and dirt would travel into the resident’s apartment thus causing the home to be dirty and it will spark off health problems especially the elders and those with asthma. The hygiene in environment is also affected as rats and roaches are a common sight in the vicinity of the construction.
After the lifts are upgraded, the lifts may be abused too. Here are some examples, a child urinating in the lifts due to urgency, graffiti by teenagers, people may hog the lift too as a result of its convenience, and people would not be able to have a chance to use it.
In conclusion, I feel that it is a necessity, as it is for the greater good that we look after the less fortunate and people who need help.
Janell Tan T01
Labels: externality
We Loved3:18 AM
April 2008 past