Commenting on the desire for privacy being a big factor driving demand for housing, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan said this is especially true in a densely populated city-state like Singapore, where space is limited, making personal privacy scarce. She noted that Singapore’s housing policies and market have evolved over time to address this issue, from the introduction of jumbo flats in the 1990s to more recent innovations such as dual-key units, which were first launched in a condominium project in 2009. She also said the dual-key unit concept addresses two key social needs – privacy and intergenerational living. Prof Straughan also explained how the expectation for grown-up children to have their own space is largely shaped by pop culture, but advised people to look at their own needs and not be afraid to live in a way that works best for them.