BY KOH HUI THENG

HOUSING Board void decks look set to be the next green spots in Singapore's concrete jungle, if a National University of Singapore (NUS) research team gets its way.

The empty spaces could be livened up by having removable 'green' walls with plants hooked on them, or having murals painted on their walls, suggested one of the team members, Dr Erwin Viray.

The spaces could also be turned into communal venues for musical performances or festival celebrations, he added.

Dr Viray, 48, and five other NUS Department of Architecture researchers will be coming up with such ideas to improve the design of urban spaces here, to encourage more people to meet and mingle, and to revive the kampung spirit of yore.

They will also study how eight other cities, such as Tokyo, Barcelona and Paris, make use of their urban environment.

Dr Viray said: 'We'll be creating computer simulations and running workshops on how people interact in public spaces.'

His project is among seven three-year studies that NUS is working on in collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, as part of a $1-billion blueprint on urban sustainability.

Bedok resident and civil servant Ng Mei Ling, 29, said she would be happy to see better utilisation of empty space, but was not thrilled about the prospect of having mini-concerts below her flat.

She said: 'Making allowances for the occasional wedding, funeral and seventh month celebration is okay, but I'm worried about the disruption caused if we have such events happening every day.'

But polytechnic student Willis Ang, 24, said: 'Greening the void deck means it'll look less bleak. That will provide a nicer spot for me to meet my friends.'

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