a study of the use of public space by migrant workers in Singapore Nur Atiqa Binte Asri PLAN 892 - Spring 2016
Chapter 1
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Little India Riot, 9 December 2013
Chapter 1
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Little India Riot, 9 December 2013
Chapter 1
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
“Singapore’s first riot in four decades” - Ministry of Home Affairs, 2014
Chapter 2
MIGRANT WORKERS work permit for foreign worker working in construction, manufacturing, marine, process, or service sectors
• minimum age: 18 • maximum age: 58 • max. period of employment: 10-22 years
work permit for foreign domestic worker only perform household and domestic duties and reside at the employer’s residential address
• • • •
only female minimum age: 23 maximum age: 50 employer shall grant the foreign employee a rest day without pay for every 7-day period (incl. Sunday and public holidays)
Chapter 2
MIGRANT WORKERS
Chapter 2
MIGRANT WORKERS + PRIVATE SPACES
Chapter 2
MIGRANT WORKERS + PRIVATE SPACES
Chapter 2
LIFE + REGULATIONS:PUBLIC SPACE 1. Public Order Act cause-related activities will be regulated by permit, regardless of the number of persons involved or the format they are conducted in
2. Liquor Control Bill controls supply and consumption of liquor
Restriction on consumption of liquor in public spaces
Designation Transfer of provisions of liquor control zones for public drunkenness
Chapter 2
RESEARCH QUESTION
“How are public spaces in Singapore democratic?”
Chapter 2
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY To study the state of democracy and the social life of public spaces in Singapore, particularly in relation to migrant workers
• To understand public space democracy in the context of Singapore • To analyze the ways in which public space is used by migrant workers and locals
• To identify policy initiatives that will enhance public spaces for use by locals and migrant workers The study hopes to inform future planning and design processes of public spaces in Singapore that will result in a more democratic public realm for both locals and migrant workers.
Chapter1+ 2
THE DEMOCRATIC PUBLIC SPACE CHECKLIST Criteria selected based upon concepts uncovered in literature review: Space allows open discourse to check powers Space enables unmediated interaction Space is absent of coercion Space allows critical debates to seek consensus or mutual enjoyment Space creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences Space allows for insurgence Space engages a wide variety of cultural practices Space cultivates forbearance
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION
tanjong katong complex
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION • dec 27, 2015 • feb 28, 2016
tanjong katong complex
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION
tanjong katong complex
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION
tanjong katong complex
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION TK Complex is a space for resting and socializing amongst young women from Indonesia
average group size: 4 mode gender: female age: 20-34 mode activity: talking and eating mode location: in the shade
tanjong katong complex
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION
dunlop street
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION • dec 20, 2015 • feb 21, 2016
dunlop street
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION
dunlop street
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION
dunlop street
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SOCIAL OBSERVATION Dunlop St is a transitional space that allows chance encounters between Indian migrant workers
average group size: 2 mode gender: male age: 20-34 mode activity: walking and talking mode location: in the shade
dunlop street
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SURVEY + CONVERSATIONS
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SURVEY + CONVERSATIONS dunlop street + tk complex
Only 7% respondents did not feel safe and comfortable in the public space - all female dunlop street + tk complex
Those who felt safe cited reasons such as “police presence”/ “police watch” and “Singapore is safe”
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SURVEY + CONVERSATIONS dunlop street + tk complex
70% respondents who claim to own the public space were male
dunlop street + tk complex
50% respondents visited at least twice a week or weekly
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY: SURVEY + CONVERSATIONS tanjong katong complex
57% respondents travelled between 31-60min primarily to meet friends
dunlop street
50% respondents travelled between 31-60min to buy groceries, meet friends and dine
THE DEMOCRATIC PUBLIC SPACE CHECKLIST Criteria selected based upon concepts uncovered in literature review: Space allows open discourse to check powers x
Space enables unmediated interaction Space is absent of coercion
x
Space allows critical debates to seek consensus or mutual enjoyment
x
Space creates opportunities for social communion and shared experiences Space allows for insurgence
x
Space engages a wide variety of cultural practices
x
Space cultivates forbearance
NEXT STEPS IN PREPARATION FOR CHAPTER 4
1.
Present survey and social observation findings to planners in Singapore from the Urban Redevelopment Authority and conducting interviews with them
2. Looking into Hong Kong as a case study, searching for policy/ design tools that may be replicable in Singapore