Making Space for Democracy - 54th International Making Cities Livable Conference

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