HDB receives global recognition

The HDB has announced that it has been conferred the 2010 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, which is currently the world’s most prestigious human settlements award.

Launched in 1989 by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the award aims to acknowledge initiatives that have made great contributions like shelter provision, leadership in post conflict reconstruction, development and improvement of human settlements and the quality of urban life.

According to the UN-Habitat, HDB, acknowledged for the crucial role of housing 80 percent of Singaporeans and nation-building, “provided one of Asia's and the world's greenest, cleanest and most socially conscious housing programmes”.

“This is an international recognition of HDB’s achievements in housing a nation. Their dedication and hard work have paid off, and I am sure this award will spur HDB towards greater heights in the future,” said Minister for National Development Mr. Mah Bow Tan.

The award will be given out on October 4 in Shanghai during the Global Observance of World Habitat Day.

Other winners include South Africa's Johannesburg Social Housing Company, Morocco's Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Austria's Vienna Sustainable Urban Renewal Programme.