IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Making Space for Democracy An Assessment of democracy in Singapore’s public spaces Nur Atiqa Asri MSc City and Regional Planning, Pratt Institute Research Associate, Larisa Ortiz Associates
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
The Issue
1
On the night of 9 December 2013, Singapore witnessed its first riot in over 40 years.
2
The Little India Riot has led to rising anti-foreigner sentiment amongst local residents and is most pronounced in the public realm.
3
Low-skilled migrant workers can now easily be identified with some public spaces as they become isolated to parts of the city.
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
The Study
1
Seeks to uncover the state of democracy of Singapore’s public spaces – particularly in relation to migrant workers
2
Introduces a new evaluation tool for assessing public spaces based on tenets of democracy
3
Suggests planning policies and initiatives that can help shape a more democratic public realm for all
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Democracy and The Public Democracy and Public Space Theories in the Abstract Realm
Theories in the Spatial Realm
Public space is: • Produced through constant struggles – struggles over and within realms • Created in its totality – within its more abstract political, social and cultural meanings
The physical public space is essential to the establishment of democracy in cities.
The Democratic Public Space Checklist
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Eight Key Tenets of Democracy A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H.
Allows unmediated interaction Lacks coercion Allows dialogue to check power and authority Engages wide variety of cultural practices Creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users Allows insurgent activities Allows critical debate to seek consensus and mutual enjoyment
The Democratic Public Space Checklist
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Eight Key Tenets of Democracy A. Allows unmediated interaction B. TIER Lacks coercion ONE: ENCOURAGES CONVERGENCE C. Allows dialogue to check power and authority D. Engages wide variety of cultural practices E. Creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences F. Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users G. Allows insurgent activities H. Allows critical debate to seek consensus and mutual enjoyment
The Democratic Public Space Checklist
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Eight Key Tenets of Democracy A. Allows unmediated interaction B. TIER Lacks coercion ONE: ENCOURAGES CONVERGENCE C. Allows dialogue to check power and authority D. Engages wide variety of cultural practices E. TIER Creates for TOLERANCE social communion and shared experiences TWO:opportunities CULTIVATES F. Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users G. Allows insurgent activities H. Allows critical debate to seek consensus and mutual enjoyment
The Democratic Public Space Checklist
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Eight Key Tenets of Democracy 1. Allows unmediated interaction 2. TIER Lacks coercion ONE: ENCOURAGES CONVERGENCE 3. Allows dialogue to check power and authority 4. Engages wide variety of cultural practices 5. TIER Creates for TOLERANCE social communion and shared experiences TWO:opportunities CULTIVATES 6. Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users 7. Allows insurgent activities THREE: INCREASE 8. TIER Allows critical debate toDISPOSITION seek consensus and mutual enjoyment
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
The Democratic Public Space Checklist Eight Key Tenets of Democracy
Indicators
A
Allows unmediated interaction
High comfort and safety level, group size 1>, wide variety of activities
B
Lacks coercion
High comfort and safety level, no presence of police
C
Allows dialogue to check power and authority
No presence of police/ surveillance cameras, statutory laws around congregation
D
Engages wide variety of cultural practices
Variety of countries of origin, ethnicity, and engaged in culturespecific activity
E
Creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences
Group size 1>, variety of countries of origin, ethnicity, and engaged in talking/ and or eating, mixed length of stay in Singapore
F
Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users
Variety of countries of origin, gender and age
G Allows for insurgence H
Allows for critical debate to seeks consensus or mutual enjoyment
Presence of outlier activities, strong sense of ownership over space Group size 1>, strong sense of ownership over space, engaged in talking
Tier One: Encourages Convergence
Tier Two: Cultivates Tolerance
Tier Three: Increase Disposition
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Methodology Indicators are measured via:
1 2 3 4
Observational survey Intercept survey Informal group discussions Review of statutory laws
So, how democratic are public spaces in Singapore?
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
The Context
Singapore’s Planning Structure and Governance
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) • National land use planning and conservation authority • State has managed to retain considerable control over planning and design of the city throughout 190 years of history • Since the landmark case of the demolition of the old national library in 2005, the URA has shifted tone by accepting public input and engaging in community planning
The Context
Singapore’s Planning Structure and Governance
The migrant population continues to be excluded from the planning process despite their growth in numbers and their direct contributions to the construction of the city. Singapore needs to consider another layer of meaning, form and function of public spaces that is being constructed by migrant workers.
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
The Context
Singapore’s Migrant Workers
Employment Pass • Highly- skilled professionals • Allowed to bring family members over
S-Pass
Work Permit
• Mid-skilled workers
Male Work Permit Holders
Female Work Permit Holders
• Approved source countries: Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and China • Employment sectors: Construction, manufacturing, marine, process and service • Not allowed to bring family members over
• Approved source countries: Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar • Employment sectors: Domestic care – required to live-in with employer at residential address • Not allowed to bring family members over
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
The Context
Private Spaces for Migrant Workers
Purpose-built dormitories
Temporary Housing Quarters
In 2015, the Ministry of Manpower performed more than 2,600 housing inspections and took enforcement action against more than 2,100 employers who were warned or charged in court for not complying with standards of employee living quarters
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Life and Regulations in Public Spaces Public Order Act • The act aims to “regulate assemblies … in public places, to provide powers necessary for preserving public order and the safety of individuals” • Gives authorities the administrative discretion to minimize civic participation, political activity or debate.
Liquor Control Bill • Introduces measures to control the supply of take-away liquor in public places • Designated ‘liquor control zones’ subject to stricter policing and surveillance practices
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Site 1: Dunlop Street
Little India
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Site 1: Dunlop Street
Little India
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Findings from Dunlop Street
Little India
CHECK? A
Allows unmediated interaction
B
Lacks coercion
C
Allows dialogue to check power and authority
D
Engages wide variety of cultural practices
E
Creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences
F
Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users
G Allows for insurgence H Allows for critical debate to seeks consensus or mutual enjoyment
✔
✔ • Presence of surveillance cameras monitored by police • Governing laws prohibiting variety of actions in public spaces and assemblies or gatherings that may be interpreted as interrupting public order and safety
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Findings from Dunlop Street
Little India
CHECK? A
Allows unmediated interaction
B
Lacks coercion
C
Allows dialogue to check power and authority
D
Engages wide variety of cultural practices
E
Creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences
F
Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users
G Allows for insurgence H Allows for critical debate to seeks consensus or mutual enjoyment
✔
64.3%
of users from India
✔
90.0%
of users were male
21.4%
of users from Bangladesh Only
14.3%
of users were Singaporean
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Site 2: Tanjong Katong Complex
Geylang
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Site 2: Tanjong Katong Complex
Geylang
Findings from Tanjong Katong Complex CHECK? A
Allows unmediated interaction
B
Lacks coercion
C
Allows dialogue to check power and authority
D
Engages wide variety of cultural practices
E
Creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences
F
Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users
Geylang
✔
✔
G Allows for insurgence
Somewhat
H Allows for critical debate to seeks consensus or
Somewhat
mutual enjoyment
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Groups engaged in talking were reported as large as 12
Findings from Tanjong Katong Complex CHECK? A
Allows unmediated interaction
B
Lacks coercion
C
Allows dialogue to check power and authority
D
Engages wide variety of cultural practices
E
Creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences
F
Nurtures sense of tolerance amongst users
✔
of users from Indonesia
✔
100.0%
G Allows for insurgence
Somewhat
H Allows for critical debate to seeks consensus or
Somewhat
mutual enjoyment
74.3%
of users were female
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Geylang
In order to attain the higher tiers of public space democracy and overcome the existing limitations, Singapore will not only need to democratize its planning process but also acknowledge migrant workers as a part of the public that it serves and plans with.
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Recommendations Singapore’s Citywide Plan for Social and Intercultural Coexistence
Multi-lingual policy for public planning meetings, design charrettes and integration workshops
Outreach Programs in public spaces that are aimed at promoting neighborly coexistence
The ‘democratic evaluation’ of public space is a timely tool that reminds planners and architects of the tenets of democracy that affect the livability of the public realm for all citizens.
IMCL 2017 – Making Space for Democracy
Questions + Discussions Making Space for Democracy Nur Atiqa Asri MSc Pratt Institute, New York NY Research Associate, Larisa Ortiz Associates