"Incense papers burning" tradition in urban living

Cannot burn incense papers, issit?

Then, why provide incense burner here?

In highly urbanised Singapore, it is difficult to maintain the tradition of incense burning without irritating residents whose flats' windows are facing the burners. Instead of punitive measures, isn't it better to have better designed burners that can eradicate the smoke and keep the ashes from flying around? Or have a designated area where the smoke and ashes will not be a nuisance. However, i learned from my lo ma chi that burning must be done as close to our apartment as possible, which usually means downstair, so whoever we are offering the incense to, know it is from us. Hello! the offerings are not for people like you and me. The so-called "they" are celestial beings who do not subscribe to the constraints of our physical world... so why do we need to confine our burning to any available space downstair and irritate the hell out of our neighbours living in the lower storey? Traditions steep in the Taoist belief are fine with me but can't we update it abit?

Maybe the Taoist mission (www.taoism.org.sg) can enlighten on the subject.

Is it true that burning must be close to the apartment of the burners?

If electric candles can be used, can we use electronic substitute for this tradition?