According to the HDB Sample Household Survey 2013 on the Social Well-Being of HDB Communities, the proportion of residents who can easily recognise their neighbours rose slightly from 72.5 per cent in 2008 to 74.3 per cent in 2013.

There were also minor changes between 2008 and 2013 in the percentage of residents meeting their neighbours in three main places.

For common corridors, there was a rise from 27.2 per cent to 30.9 per cent; for lifts or lift lobbies, the number rose from 21.5 per cent to 25.8 per cent; for void decks, the number fell from 20.1 per cent to 18.9 per cent.

Greater effort must be made in order for residents to get to know their neighbours.

For instance, residents can consider using a different lift from the one they usually take, thereby meeting neighbours who usually take the other lift.

Residents' committees (RCs) can also organise regular parties in the void deck for residents of that particular block, rather than just having gatherings at a zone level.

The last time I attended a block party for residents in my block was five years ago, and I got to know more than 20 neighbours whom I did not previously know.

Perhaps RCs could revive such parties.

At the end of the day, such efforts should result in residents getting to know one another better.

Gan Kok Tiong