Enabling Village: A Case Study in Inclusive Community Development - Maxthon

Executive Summary

Enabling Village represents Singapore’s pioneering approach to creating inclusive community spaces where persons with disabilities (PWDs) can live, learn, and work alongside the wider community. Established in 2015 by SG Enable through the adaptive reuse of the old Bukit Merah Vocational Institute, the village has evolved into a thriving ecosystem that demonstrates the viability and value of inclusive design and programming.

Enabling Village is an inclusive community space in Lengkok Bahru, Redhill, established in 2015 by SG Enable to demonstrate how persons with disabilities can live, learn, and work alongside the wider community. It was created through adaptive reuse of the old Bukit Merah Vocational Institute WOHA.

Recent Milestone & Growth

The village just celebrated its 10th anniversary and has experienced remarkable growth:

Monthly footfall increased from 12,000 to 22,000 visitors following the launch of Vista, the new four-storey extension
The space is now at 100 percent occupancy
The annual Enabling Lives Festival grew by 50 percent, with over 4,500 people attending in December 2025

Vista Extension

Vista was officially opened by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in December 2025 and includes:

Enabling Academy – a disability learning hub for skills training
Independent Living Studio – a simulated HDB flat for practicing independent living
Future Care Planning Resource Centre – helps with long-term care planning
The extension expands the village’s land area to more than 33,000 square meters (about five football fields)

Key Facilities & Services

Singapore’s first inclusive preschool (Kindle Garden)
ActiveSG inclusive gym (by 2026, all ActiveSG gyms nationwide will be inclusive) Enablingvillage
Stroke Support Station with rehabilitation services
The Art Faculty (selling art by people with autism)
MS Academy (inclusive music school)
Heated swimming pool and pet-friendly cafes

Success Stories

Sport participation among people with disabilities increased from 28 percent in 2015 to 46 percent in 2023 Enablingvillage, partly attributed to initiatives piloted at Enabling Village. The space has become a testbed for inclusive programs that are being replicated across Singapore.

The village demonstrates how thoughtful design and programming can create truly inclusive spaces where people of all abilities can participate in community life together.

Case Study Background

The Challenge

Prior to 2015, Singapore lacked a centralized, accessible community space that could serve as both a resource hub and social gathering place for persons with disabilities. Key challenges included:

Fragmented Services: Disability support services were scattered across the island, making access difficult for PWDs and their caregivers
Limited Public Awareness: Low visibility and understanding of disability issues among the general public
Post-18 Pathway Gap: Insufficient opportunities for PWDs to develop life skills, pursue employment, and live independently after formal education
Social Isolation: PWDs often faced limited opportunities for community integration and social interaction
No Proven Model: Singapore had no blueprint for creating an inclusive community space of this scale

The Initial Response

In 2015, SG Enable established Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru, Redhill, with several founding principles:

Adaptive Reuse: Repurposing existing infrastructure (Bukit Merah Vocational Institute) to create an accessible space
Mixed Tenancy: Bringing together social enterprises, disability support agencies, and commercial entities
Universal Design: Creating barrier-free environments accessible to all
Community Integration: Designing a space that welcomes both PWDs and the general public

Early Struggles

The village faced significant challenges in its first decade:

COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic severely reduced footfall and strained tenant businesses
Tenant Viability: Some businesses, like the FairPrice supermarket, closed in October 2023, causing monthly footfall to drop to approximately 12,000 in 2024
Financial Sustainability: Social enterprises struggled to balance financial performance with social impact objectives
Learning Curve: With no existing model to follow, the team had to experiment with what would work through trial and error

Solutions Implemented

1. Infrastructure Expansion – Vista Extension

What: A four-storey extension officially opened in December 2025 by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

Key Features:

Enabling Academy: Disability learning hub offering courses in financial literacy, digital literacy, self-care, and decision-making
Independent Living Studio: Simulated HDB flat where individuals can practice independent living skills in realistic environments
Future Care Planning Resource Centre: Resources for PWDs and caregivers to plan long-term care early
i’mable Collective Space: Platform connecting designers, businesses, and community partners to create gig and long-term work opportunities for PWDs
Enhanced Accessibility: New wayfinding pathway co-created with persons with visual impairment and wheelchair users, featuring high-contrast textured surfaces

Land Expansion: Total area increased to more than 33,000 square meters (approximately five football fields)

2. Tenant Ecosystem Development

Strategic Tenant Mix:

Social Enterprises: The Art Faculty (autism merchandise), Professor Brawn cafes
Healthcare Services: Stroke Support Station (S3) with rehabilitation and wellness programs
Education: MS Academy (inclusive music school with vocational training)
Support Services: CaringSG (caregiver support), Autism Resource Centre’s Employability and Employment Centre
Community Amenities: Pet-friendly cafes, heated swimming pool, sports facilities

Tenant Support Mechanisms:

Bi-annual tenant get-together sessions to foster collaboration
Venue sponsorship for inclusive initiatives
Marketing support for tenant programs
Shared infrastructure and resources

3. Programming and Community Engagement

Inclusive Programming:

Nearly 120 programs conducted since November 2024 across arts, culture, innovation, employment, and sports
Adaptive sports activities including table tennis and seated tai chi
Annual Enabling Lives Festival showcasing tenant programs and products
Skills training in design, cafe operations, musical instrument repair

Accessibility Enhancements:

Sheltered walkway from Redhill MRT station and bus stop
Complimentary shuttle bus service
Public thoroughfare through the village connecting Redhill Road to Jalan Bukit Merah
Universal design principles throughout facilities

4. Post-18 Pathways Development

Educational and Vocational Programs:

MS Academy’s vocational training program in creative arts and instrument repair (approximately 20 students)
Employability and Employment Centre with about 60 employer partners
Skill-building courses at Enabling Academy
Real-world experience through social enterprises

Independent Living Support:

Independent Living Studio for practicing daily living skills
Decision-making and financial management training
Community integration opportunities
Caregiver respite and support services

Impact Achieved

Quantitative Outcomes

Footfall and Engagement:

Monthly footfall increased from 12,000 to 22,000 (83% increase) after Vista’s launch
100% occupancy rate for tenant spaces
Enabling Lives Festival attendance grew 50%, from 3,000 to over 4,500 people
Visitorship expected to continue increasing as new tenants commence operations

Service Expansion:

Stroke Support Station expanded from one to three units at Enabling Village
S3 opened a second center at Jurong Point due to success at the village
Professor Brawn cafe expanded to two Pathlight School campuses
Nearly 120 programs conducted across multiple domains since November 2024

Employment and Skills:

Employability and Employment Centre partnered with approximately 60 employers
MS Academy’s vocational program attracted about 20 students
Increased corporate support for social enterprises like The Art Faculty

Qualitative Outcomes

Community Integration:

Regular users like April Kwek describe it as a “second home” where they meet friends daily
Greater public awareness of Enabling Village and PWDs over the years
Collaborative ecosystem among tenants through regular networking sessions
Visitors report feelings of tranquility and peace compared to commercial malls

Caregiver Support:

New caregivers discovering comprehensive services in one location
Respite and emotional support through organizations like CaringSG
Access to amenities like heated swimming pools and cafes that serve both PWDs and caregivers

Quality of Life Improvements:

PWDs participating in daily wellness activities and social programs
Access to rehabilitation services close to public transport
Opportunities for skill development in realistic environments
Community spaces that promote dignity and independence

Systemic Change:

Demonstration of viable inclusive community space model
Testing ground for programs later replicated across Singapore
Proof that social enterprises can balance financial sustainability with social impact
Blueprint for future inclusive developments

Broader Societal Impact

Awareness and Attitude Shifts:

Increased corporate engagement and support for disability employment
Growing recognition of PWDs’ capabilities and contributions
Normalization of inclusive spaces in Singapore’s urban landscape

Policy Influence:

Model for post-18 pathways and lifelong learning for PWDs
Demonstration of effective adaptive reuse of government buildings
Framework for public-private partnerships in social infrastructure

Outlook and Future Directions

Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)

Continued Growth:

Further increase in footfall as new tenants fully operationalize
Expansion of programming to reach more diverse disability communities
Development of additional employer partnerships for employment pathways

Tenant Ecosystem Maturation:

Social enterprises achieving better balance between financial sustainability and social impact
Increased collaboration among tenants leading to integrated service offerings
Potential for tenant expansion into additional units as Vista reaches full utilization

Medium-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)

Replication and Scaling:

Enabling Village model potentially replicated in other parts of Singapore
Best practices and learnings shared with regional and international communities
Integration with broader national disability inclusion initiatives

Enhanced Capabilities:

Expansion of vocational training programs based on market demand
Development of more specialized services for specific disability communities
Strengthening of post-employment support and career advancement pathways

Technology Integration:

Incorporation of assistive technologies and smart building features
Digital platforms for remote access to services and programming
Innovation lab expansion for developing disability-focused solutions

Long-Term Outlook (5-10 Years)

National Integration:

Enabling Village principles embedded across Singapore’s community infrastructure
Inclusive design becoming standard rather than exceptional
PWDs fully integrated into mainstream employment, education, and social life

International Leadership:

Singapore recognized as a global model for inclusive community development
Knowledge exchange and capacity building for other nations
Export of Enabling Village concept and expertise

Potential Challenges

Sustainability Concerns:

Ongoing need to balance tenant financial viability with social mission
Potential economic downturns affecting social enterprise revenues
Long-term maintenance costs of aging infrastructure

Evolving Needs:

Changing demographics of disability community requiring adaptive programming
Emerging technologies creating both opportunities and accessibility challenges
Rising expectations for more sophisticated services and amenities

Competition and Market Dynamics:

Other inclusive spaces potentially diluting Enabling Village’s unique appeal
Commercial pressures on social enterprise tenants
Need to continuously innovate to maintain relevance

Strategic Recommendations

For Continued Success:

Diversify Revenue Streams: Develop sustainable funding models including grants, corporate partnerships, and earned income
Strengthen Tenant Support: Provide business development assistance, shared marketing, and operational guidance
Expand Partnerships: Build deeper relationships with employers, educators, and community organizations
Enhance Programming: Continue developing innovative, evidence-based programs that meet evolving community needs
Document and Share: Systematically capture learnings and best practices to inform replication efforts
Invest in Staff Development: Build capacity of staff and tenants to deliver high-quality inclusive services
Leverage Technology: Adopt assistive technologies and digital platforms to extend reach and impact
Maintain Flexibility: Stay responsive to changing community needs and emerging opportunities

Conclusion

Enabling Village has successfully demonstrated that inclusive community spaces can thrive when built on principles of universal design, collaborative ecosystems, and meaningful programming. After a decade of operation and the recent Vista expansion, the village has proven that PWDs can be fully integrated into community life when given appropriate infrastructure, support, and opportunities.

The journey from 12,000 to 22,000 monthly visitors, 100% occupancy, and expanding tenant services shows that there is both demand and viability for inclusive spaces. The collaborative ecosystem among tenants, the diversity of programs offered, and the positive user experiences all point to a sustainable model that can continue evolving.

As Edward Chew noted, “This is more than an expansion of the Enabling Village. This is an expansion of our purpose.” That purpose—creating a place of possibility where new ideas are tested, partnerships are formed, and lives are changed—positions Enabling Village not just as a physical space, but as a movement toward a more inclusive Singapore.

The outlook is optimistic. With continued investment in infrastructure, programming, and partnerships, Enabling Village can serve as both a thriving community hub and a blueprint for inclusive development locally and globally. The next decade offers opportunities to deepen impact, scale successes, and continue pioneering new approaches to disability inclusion that benefit society as a whole.