Flat owners whose homes are selected for the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) are happy to be compensated and get subsidies for new flats (Three MacPherson blocks to be replaced under Sers; June 1).

But it means exchanging their older bigger flat for a newer smaller one.

Similarly, the scheme to top-up the leases of private condos promotes collective sales.

Owners of such condos are happy to get a windfall. But they end up buying a new unit in a new condo at a smaller size, even though the number of rooms is the same. The number and size of facilities at the new condo may also be reduced.

It seems that we are progressively moving to live in smaller accommodations. Will the owners be happy with living in smaller units? Will our future generation?

Under the two schemes, buildings meant to last 99 years are destroyed early - at around 50 years for an HDB flat and around 30 years for condos.

Is it a waste of building materials? Does it indirectly encourage the use of poorer quality materials for new buildings? Most importantly, is it good for our environment?

I hope our new crop of leaders will review these two schemes to provide our future generation with better living accommodation.

Tan Teck Kwong