Interaction between Various People in Woodlands Civic Centre

Woodlands Civic Centre is a neutral setting where people of different races, religion, citizenship come together to fulfil and satisfy their own needs and interests. Physical common spaces which create opportunities for people of different backgrounds to interact, accept and understand each other are created through the many facilites there. Since the facilities there are not directed at a specific social class such as the relatively rich, or the relatively poor people, there is no socio-economic gap created allowing people of different social statuses to mingle freely. But only facilities with high social activity taking place will be effective common spaces as facilities with economic activities do not encourage interaction as people are more concerned about themselves than others while using such facilities.

The best facility with  high social activity at Woodlands Civic Centre which gives way to many opportunities of interaction between people of not only different racial, religious backgrounds but also age, is the Woodlands Regional Library. A wide variety of activities are conducted for young kids, youths, adults and the elderly. For example, reading and art and craft clubs are conducted for youths such that they can meet new friends from different backgrounds and share their common passion for reading and writing. Moreover, performances and exhibits displaying other races' cultural activities are also constantly being put up so that everyone has a better understanding of other's culture. Creating such mutual understandings is the key for a harmonious society. Thus, the library is a excellent facility for mutual understandings to be created. However, only those with a passion for reading and activities organised by the library would actually visit the library often and take a keen interest and those who do not, will get lesser opportunities for interaction. Even if they get the opportunities to interact, they may not step up to converse with different races as ultimately they can make the decision to use the opportunities present.

Reading clubs in Woodlands Regional Library - Different races seen together in picture, evidence of multi-racial interaction 

Tuition and enrichment classes are also a good place for students from different races and religions to interact through groupwork. According to an interview with an Indian woman, Ms Suji, who was at Woodlands Civic Centre that day to drop her daughter off for 'I Can Read' enrichment lessons, her daughter has found several Chinese friends through this programme. Northwest CDC also has many clubs and activities such as Family Singing Competitions, futsal competitions and volunteering events, thus engaging everyone regardless of their background and age as a society. When asked about the effectiveness of the place in creating opportunities for interaction, Ms Suji mentioned that being mainly a commercial place, it serves its pupose very well, but as for interaction between different races, there is very little. According to her, people go about their own work there. Another teenage girl says in her interview that various people can interact mainly through events in the library.