Settlement patterns

   The sity of Singapore is situated in the southern portion of the main island. Over time, urbanization has blurred the differences between city and country. Built-up areas now cover a large part of the city-state. The older parts of the city have been substantially refurbished, especially along the Singapore River but elsewhere as well. The once-common Chinese shop-house, consisting of living quarters above a commercial establishment, gradually has been dessapearing from the city. Instead, the government`s Housing and Development Board (HDB) has relocated commerce into separate districts and has created integrated residential communities inhabited by people with a mixture of incomes. About four-fifths of Singapore`s population now resides in high-rise HDB flats located in housing estates and new towns. The new towns - such as Woodlands, Tampines, and Yishun - are scattered across the island and are characterazed by ease access to places of employment and shopping districts. The traditional Malay kampong settlements - consisting of stilt houses built along the shoreline - are dechining in number and are now found only in select rural areas.