Dynamic Communities and Heritage Conservation: Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Chinatown, Singapore Cheng Yuqing
A0283733Y
Dissertation submitted to Department ofArchitecture in
Partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of
MASTER OFARTS INARCHITECTURALCONSERVATION at the DEPARTMENT OFARCHITECTURE
NATIONALUNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
Supervisor: Dr. Johannes Widodo
April 15, 2024
ACKNOLEGMENT Iextendmysincerestgratitudetoeveryonewhohascontributedtothejourneyof myresearch,particularlythosewhohavesharedtheirinsightsandexpertiseonthe complexinterplayofcommunityengagementandculturalheritagepreservationin Singapore'sChinatown.
I am profoundly thankful to my supervisor, Professor Johannes Widodo, whose guidance has been invaluable throughout the research process. His profound knowledge,criticalacumen,andconstructivefeedbackhavesignificantlyshapedthe trajectoryofmystudy, providingasolidfoundation forthecriticalanalysiswithin thisthesis.
Lastly, my family’s unwavering support and belief in my pursuit have been the bedrockuponwhichthisacademicjourneystands.Thisthesisnotonlyrepresentsa scholarlyachievementbutalsoapersonalmilestonemadepossiblebythecollective effortofallinvolved.
I am hopeful that this research will contribute to the ongoing conversation on cultural heritage preservation and community engagement, offering insights that maybenefitbothpolicyandpractice.
ABSTRACT Thisdissertationexploresthedynamicinterplaybetweencommunityparticipation and heritage conservation within the context of Singapore's Chinatown, a district thatembodiesthecity-state'srichmulticulturaltapestryinterwovenwithavibrant contemporarylife.
The study critically examines the effectiveness of Singapore's urban conservation policies,particularlytheirimpactoncommunityengagementandthemaintenance of public memory. Furthermore, this dissertation delves into the perceptions of former residents, current inhabitants, immigrants, tourists, and locals, uncovering nuanced attitudes towards cultural heritage preservation. The findings suggest a nuanced relationship between the conservation of Chinatown's built environment andcommunityattitudestowardsculturalheritagepreservation,reflectingbroader socio-culturalphenomenaundertheinfluenceofglobalizationandlocalization.
This dissertation contributes to the discourse on heritage conservation by advocatingformoreinclusiveandparticipatoryapproachesthatnotonlyfocuson physical preservation but also embrace the intangible aspects that constitute the community'scultureandidentity.Itcallsforstrategiesthatrespectthelegacyofthe past while accommodating the dynamic changes of the present and future, promotingalivingheritagethatresonateswithandactivelyinvolvesthecommunity.
Keywords: Community Participation, Heritage Conservation, Cultural Identity, Modernization.
LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1:Singapore’sChinatown,1970s.Source:Klaus.
Figure 2:ChinatownHistoricPreservationDistrictControlLine.Source: https://www.ura.gov.sg
Figure 3: NegativereviewsofChinatownfromtourists Source:https://w ww.tripadvisor.com
Figure 4:KampongGlam,LittleIndiaandChina’sWuzhen(Source:Google)
Figure 5: Dilapidated shophouses under The Control of Rent Ordinance Source: https://www.nlb.gov.sg
Figure 6:AcquiredlandinNgauCheShui(1960-2000).Source:URA1983
Figure 7:LandsoldinNgauCheShui(1960-1983).Source:URA1983
Figure 8:ProtectedAreasinChinatown.Source:https://www.ura.gov.sg
Figure 9:MasjidSultaninKampongGlam.Source:Adam
Figure 10: P.GovindasamyPillai'sshopatLittleIndiaArcade,1990（Source:URA）
Figure 11: Wuzhen,China(Source:https://zjnews.zjol.com.cn/)
Figure 12:Wuzhen(Source:@WuzhenScenicAreaPublic)
Figure 13:Chinatownmural.Source:https://www.chinanews.com.cn/hr/hrtrj/news/2009/08-25/1833235.shtml
Figure 14:GermanSausageVendorStallSource:www.chinanews.com.cn
Notes:
Thefiguresortablesusedinthisresearchpaperareproducedbytheauthor,ifnot indicatedindividually.
INTRODUCTION 1.1 Research Background 1.1.1
BackgroundofChinatown Singapore’sChinatownstandsasatestamenttothecity-state'srichmulticultural heritage,blendinghistorywithvibrantcontemporarylife.Itsdesignwasdonein theyear1822,aspartoftheSirStamfordRafflestownplan.Chinatownhad becomethelocusofChinesesettlementandcommerce,echoingcolonialand migratoryhistory.Ithassinceimprovedwithtimebutstillremainsadistrictofthe historicalandculturalvibrancycapturedwithintheornatefacadesofits shophousesandthebustlingstreetsthatreflecttheirdailylives.
Figure 1:Singapore’sChinatown,1970s.(Source:Klaus.)
However,bythe1980s,Singaporehadrapidlymodernized,anditscityscapeand skylineunderwentsignificantchanges.Yet,Chinatown,locatedontheprecious southernbankoftheSingaporeRiver,stoodinstarkcontrasttoitssurroundings duetoitsdilapidationandovercrowding.Thesetraditionalshophousesalsofaced theriskofbeingdemolishedtomakewayformorelandandspaceformodern urbandevelopment.
However,theSingaporegovernmentdidnotoptforthecompletedemolitionof Chinatown.Instead,thegovernmentimplementedacomprehensiveconservation planforabout23hectaresoftheChinatownarea.Infact,throughmeticulousurban planning,theSingaporegovernmentdeeplyrecognizedthevalueofChinatown, therebyenforcingstrictarchitecturalconservationpoliciestoprotectthedistrict's uniquecharacteristics.Thisincludedtherestorationoftraditionalshophouses, temples,andmarketstoensurethearchitecturalintegrity,authenticity,and aestheticsofthearearemainedintact.Theseeffortswerepartofabroaderurban conservationstrategyinitiatedinthe1980s,aimedatprotectingSingapore's historicdistrictswhilesupportingmodernurbanliving.
ThisdecisionhasensuredthattheChinatown'shistoricalarchitecturalbuildingsin thishistoricaldistrictarewell-preservedtogetherwiththestructureandtexture, ensuringthatthereisperpetuationoftheformandtraditionalatmosphereof publicspaces. Throughthisthoughtfulapproach,Chinatown'srichheritageand architecturaluniquenesshavebeensafeguarded,allowingittoremainavibrant
testamenttoSingapore'smulticulturalhistoryamidstitscontemporaryurban landscape.
Figure 2:ChinatownHistoricPreservationDistrictControlLine(Source: https://www.ura.gov.sg)
ItcanbeseenfromthestudythatSingapore'surbanconservationpolicieshave successfullypreservedthecoreareasofhistoricdistrictssuchasChinatownamid rapidurbandevelopment.Conservationworknotonlyincludesthephysical preservationofthebuilding,butalsotheprotectionofcommunitylifeandcultural activitiesinthearea,sothatChinatownstillmaintainsitsvitalityandvitality[Sim LooLee,1996].
However,Chinatownalsofaceschallenges,particularlyinensuringcommunity engagementandmaintainingpublicmemory.Withthedevelopmentof commercializationandtourism,sometraditionalmerchantsandcommunity residentsarefeelingthepressure,fearingthatexcessivecommercializationof culturemayweakentheculturalauthenticityandhistoricalvalueofthearea.In addition,theroleofcommunityparticipationinconservationeffortsissometimes overlooked,whichmayaffectthecontinuedtransmissionofpublicmemoryandthe strengtheningofculturalidentity.
1.1.2Problems Over-CommercializationandLossofResidentialCharacter:Theconservation policyinSingapore'sChinatownhasledtoanincreaseincommercialactivities, resultinginadeclineinresidentialuse.ThistransformationhasmadeChinatown morecommercialincharacter,reducingitsvibrancyandpossiblyaffectingthe authenticityoftheculturalheritageoftheChinesecommunity(SimLooLee,1997).
ImpactofConservationonCommunityTies:Researchexploringthemeanings constructedinChinatown'slandscapefromboththestate'sperspectiveandthe livedexperiencesofitsinhabitantssuggeststhatstate-initiatedeffortsat communitybuildinghave,insomeways,beendamagingtocommunityties.This indicatesacomplexrelationshipbetweenconservationeffortsandtheirimpacton thesocialfabricofChinatown(B.Yeoh&LilyKong,1994).
TourismDevelopmentConcerns:Theevolutionoftourismdevelopmentstrategies inChinatownhassparkeddebatesovertheauthenticityoftheconservationefforts andtheextentoflocalinvolvement.Theseconcernshighlightthechallengeof balancingheritageconservationwiththedemandsoftourism,raisingquestions abouttheuseofheritageasatouristattraction(J.Henderson,2000).
Figure 3:NegativereviewsofChinatownfromtourists(Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com)
Heritagevs.Commercialization:Astudyonheritagespacesinaglobalcontext, specificallySingapore'sChinatown,foundthatwhilebothlocalsandtourists recognizetheheritagevalueofChinatown,localsviewitscommercializationasa lossofheritage,contrastingwithtouristswhoseecommercializationas homogenizingChinatownsglobally(V.Phua&J.Shircliff,2020).
1.2 Research Purpose 1.2.1.BalancingOldandNewCommunityParticipation
Explicitlythestudyaimstoexploreeffectivestrategiesandmethodsforbalancing theparticipationoforiginalandexistingresidentstopromotetheintegrationand transmissionofoldandnewmemoriesandcultures.
Balancingthecommunityparticipationoforiginalandcurrentresidentsinthe architecturalconservationprocessofChinatown,andmanagingthealternationof newandoldmemoriestomaintainculturalcontinuityinthecommunity,isa complexbutcrucialtask.Conservationstrategiesshouldfocusmoreoninclusivity anddiversity,takingintoaccounttheopinionsandneedsofcommunitymembers, aswellastheiridentificationwithandvaluestowardscommunitycultural heritage.
1.2.2.Questioningofconservationstrategies
Questioningwhetherexistingconservationstrategiesadequatelytakeintoaccount thepreservationofcommunitymemoryandculturalheritage,especiallyinthe contextoftherelocationoftheoriginalinhabitantsandcommunitychange.
AlthoughtheconservationpolicyforChinatownhassuccessfullypreserved historicalshophouses,challengesremaininmaintainingcommunitylifeand culturalheritagecontinuity.Conservationeffortsneedtofocusmoreoncommunity
involvementandpreservingculturalmemory,notjustthephysicalstructures(Sim LooLee,1996).
1.2.3Thedouble-edgedswordofculturalheritageconservation:doestourism developmentaffecttheauthenticityofheritageconservation? Tourismdevelopmentpresentsbothopportunitiesandchallengesforcultural heritageconservation.Ononehand,ithelpsdisseminateandprotectthecultural heritageofdestinations;ontheotherhand,tourismdevelopmentcanaccelerate socialchanges,affectingtheauthenticityofculturalheritage.Acomparativestudy ofSingaporeandHongKongdemonstratesthattheinherentcontradictions betweenconservationandchangeintourismdevelopmentcanbeboththreatsand resourcesforheritagetourismdevelopment(YipingLi,2003).
1.3 Background of Theory 1.3.1Sustainability,Intergenerationalequity,andpluralism.Canheritage conservationcreatealternativefutures?
EricaAvramidiscussestheintersectionofsustainability,intergenerationalequity, andpluralismwithinheritageconservation,examininghowtheseconceptscan shapealternativefutures.Itcritiquesthetraditionalfocusonpreservingphysical heritage(fabric)andadvocatesforaprocess-orientedapproachthatvalues participatorydialogueandcommunityengagementovermaterialconservation alone.Avramiarguesforamoreflexible,inclusive,anddynamicheritage conservationpracticethatrespondstochangingvaluesandsupportssustainable
urbandevelopment,emphasizingtheneedforheritagepoliciestoadaptand becomemorealignedwithbroadersustainabilitygoals.
1.3.2Authenticity,ValueandCommunityInvolvement ThetheoreticalframeworkpresentedbyDeaconandSmeetsemphasizesthe criticalroleofcommunityinvolvementinthemanagementofheritage,whichhas outlinedbytheUNESCOWorldHeritageandIntangibleHeritageConventions. Thisisasignaltoaveryremarkableshifttowardtheimportanceofcommunity inputwithintheproceduresofidentification,management,andprotectionoftheir heritage.Itpointsoutthepressingneedforanenhancementincommunity participationinthedecision-makingprocessatthelevelofheritagevalueand authenticissues.
Thetheory,thus,bringsoutthecritiqueofthedominationoftheexpert-led approachtoauthenticityandheritagevaluebyamuchmoreinclusive methodology.Theapproachseeksparticipationfromcommunitymembersto respecttheirviews,values,andworldviewsthatneedinclusioninheritage conservatism.Themaingoalofthismodelistohelpmaketheseheritagepractices closertotheidentitiesandculturalcontextofthecommunitiesinvolved,thus urgingsustainablemethodsinthisway.Theseallaimattheupholdingand celebrationofculturaldiversity,andthedignityofculturalheritagerequiresthat conservationverymuchbecomesacollective,communicative,andrespectfulaffair
oftheheart,focusingonthepeopleandtheirvalues.Thisapproachaimstorender heritagemanagementbothrelevantandimpactfultothoseitmostaffects.
1.3.3ErasureandAppearance StallmeyerandDearbornexploresthedynamicsof"ErasureandAppearance" withinurbanheritagemanagement,focusingoncasesfromAsia.Itcritically examineshowheritagepoliciesandmanagementpracticescanleadtotheerasure ofcertainculturalelementsandtheemergenceorreinforcementofothers,often drivenbymotivationstostreamlineheritagefortourismandeconomic development.Thisprocess,deeplyinfluencedbypowerdynamicsandglobal heritagediscourses,raisessignificantquestionsaboutauthenticity,community involvement,andthepreservationoftangibleandintangibleculturalheritage.
1.4 Scope of the study BydelvingintotheconservationstrategiesemployedinChinatownand juxtaposingthemwithpracticesinKampongGlam,LittleIndia,andWuzhen,this studyendeavorstoidentifyboththestrengthsandgapswithincurrent methodologies.Thefindingsfromthiscomparativeanalysiswillserveasa foundationforproposingconcreterecommendationsandsolutionsaimedat enhancingexistingarchitecturalconservationpractices.Theultimategoalisto ensuretheeffectiveprotectionandtransmissionofcommunityculturalheritage, fosteringalegacythatfuturegenerationscaninheritandcherish.
Throughthisresearch,weaspiretocontributetothediscourseonheritage conservationbyadvocatingforapproachesthatarenotonlysensitivetothe architecturalintegrityofhistoricaldistrictsbutalsodeeplyattunedtothecultural continuitiesandcommunalnarrativestheyembody.Indoingso,thestudyaligns withglobaleffortstosafeguardculturalheritage,recognizingitsintrinsicvalueasa cornerstoneofsocietalidentityandcollectivememory.
Figure 4:KampongGlam,LittleIndiaandChina’sWuzhen(Source:Google)
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1.
Institutional and policy background of Chinatown Tochangethedecliningcommunityconditionsandultra-highpopulationdensityin Chinatown,theSingaporeangovernmenthassetcleargoals.Intheearlydays,it wastoreplacethedecayingshophouseswithmodernbuildings,andatthesame time,itwasrequiredtoensuresocialstabilityintheprocessandensurethesafety oftherenovation.Therhythmwasinthehandsofthegovernmenttoavoid spontaneousanddisorderlydevelopmentinthemarket;laterin1989,the governmentofficiallydesignatedChinatownasahistoricalprotectiondistrictand begantoimplementtheConservationMasterPlanforSingapore.Itisjointly escortedbytheUrbanRedevelopmentAuthority(URA),theSingaporeTourism Board(STB),theNationalArtsCouncil(NAC)andothergovernmentdepartments andiscommittedtobuildingChinatownintoascenicspotwithSingaporean Nanyangcharacteristics.
Toensurethesmoothimplementationofvariousrelatedplansandplans,thestate hasadoptedsubstantialsupervisionandoperationsinlandandbuildingproperty rights.TheSingaporeangovernmenthassuccessivelyintroducedrelevantsystems tocontrolthepropertyrightsofurbanconstructionparticipantsintheChinatown area.Therearefourwell-knownpropertyrightssystemmeans,namelyRent
Control,CompulsoryLandAcquisition,StateSaleofSitesandConservation Planning.
2.1.1
TheControlofRentOrdinance ItwasimplementedinSingaporein1947post-WorldWarII,wasenactedtoprotect tenantinterestsamidhousingshortagesbycappingrentsandpreventingevictions. Thisordinanceweakenedlandlords'rights,leadingtoinsufficientincomefor propertymaintenanceandcurbingtheirinitiativeforredevelopment,which inadvertentlypreservedtheoldcity'sfabric.Onlyin1969,withtheControlled Premises(SpecialProvisions)Act,werelandlordsabletoevicttenantsfor renovationsaftergovernmentapproval.Thispolicyhistoryiscrucialfor understandingheritageprotectionconcepts:itshowshowregulationscanshape communityperceptionsandmotivationsregardingheritageconservation.Policies thathindereconomicincentivesforbuildingownerscanleadtounintended conservationofhistoricalstructures,raisingquestionsaboutthebalancebetween protectingtenants'rightsandpreservingheritagebuildings.
Figure 5:DilapidatedshophousesunderTheControlofRentOrdinance(Source: https://www.nlb.gov.sg)
2.1.2LandAcquisitionAct In1966,theSingaporeangovernmentenactedtheLandAcquisitionAct,apotent andcontentiousprovisionthatauthorizedthestatetorequisitionlandthrough governmentgazettesforresidential,commercial,andindustrialpurposes.Once announced,theowners'rightstouseortransfertheirlandwererestricted.Guided bythisact,state-ownedlandinSingaporegrewfrom31%in1949to76.2%by 1985,andby1994,itexpandedbyanadditional16.8squarekilometers.Utilizing theControlofRentOrdinanceandtheLandAcquisitionAct,thegovernmentcould acquirelandinChinatownatrelativelylowcostsfordevelopmentprojects.
(Source:URA1983)
Figure 6:AcquiredlandinNgauCheShui(1960-2000)
Figure 7:LandsoldinNgauCheShui(1960-1983)
2.1.3SaleofSitesProgramme Startingin1967,theUrbanRedevelopmentDepartment(URD)launchedaland salescheme.Scatteredplots,onceconsolidatedandrequisitioned,wereleasedto developersfor99yearsviatender,withthegovernmentimposingspecific requirementsonthetypeofbuildingsdeveloped,completiontimelines,payment methods,financingchannels,andevendesignplans.Onlyafterdevelopers' blueprintspassedgovernmentreviewcouldactualconstructionbegin.Asakey areaforoldtowndevelopment,Chinatownsawsomeplotsdevelopedintomodern high-risesin1967and1969,replacinglow-riseshophousesandalteringits landscape.Consequently,mostoriginalresidentsweregraduallyrelocated,andthe memoriesandconceptoftheChinesecommunitybegantofade,givingwayto commercializationandtourism.
2.1.4ConservationPlan Afterrapidgrowthinthe1970sunderthepoliciesdescribed,historicdistrict conservationbecameagovernmentpriority.In1988,theMinistryofNational Development(MND)announcedagradualeasingofrentcontrolincertainhistoric districtstoaccelerateconservation.In1989,fourzoneswithinChinatown(23 hectares,about1200buildings)weredesignatedforpreservation.Ownerswere encouragedtorefurbishtheirproperties:theycouldapplytoliftrentcontroland submitrenovationplans,withathree-yeardeadline.Failingthat,compulsory acquisitionwasenforced.Thegovernmentalsocontinuedacquiringand
refurbishingshophousesundertheLandAcquisitionAct,leasingthemto individualmerchantswithspecificconditions,suchasdesignatingstreetsforfood businesses.Theseprovisionsbecametheinstitutionalsafeguardforimproving Chinatown'surbanlandscape,withChinaSquareincludedintheconservationarea in1997.Thesepolicies,thereisatensionbetweenpreservation,commercial viability,andcommunityintegrity.
Figure 8:ProtectedAreasinChinatown(Source:https://www.ura.gov.sg)
Thislegalframeworkpotentiallyledtothedisplacementofcommunitycultureand affectedthepublicmemoryassociatedwiththedistrict,raisingquestionsaboutthe
long-termimpactsofsuchpoliciesonthesocialandculturalfabricofhistorical neighborhoods.
Sincetheimplementationofconservationplanning,URAhaspromotedtraditional tradesandcuisinesinshophouseswithincoreconservationareasofChinatown, offeringfinancialsupporttoensureprosperitydespitelow-profitmargins.NAChas acquiredunitsforliteraryandartisticperformances,anddevelopershave revitalizedSingapore'soldesttemple,FukTakChi,intoamuseumadvisedbythe NationalHeritageBoardforculturalperformancesandartexhibitions.Such initiativeshaveledtoefficientlanduseandincreasedresidentialvalue.However, thesecommercialmoves,whileenhancingthevibrancy,mightcontributetoa certainhomogenizationofChinatown,potentiallydilutingitsuniquecultural identityinthepursuitoftourismandeconomicdevelopment.
2.2 Chinatown in a Global Context Thearticle"Heritagespacesinaglobalcontext:thecaseofSingaporeChinatown" presentsanuancedviewofChinatown'sheritageconservationamidglobalizations. Theauthoremphasizeshowbothlocalsandtouristsrecognizetheheritagevalue, butatthesametime,theyholddivergentviewsoncommercialization.Locals believecommercializationiserodingheritage,whiletouriststhinkitdiminishes Chinatown'suniqueness.Thearticlealsotouchesonthechallengeofbalancing heritagepreservationwithcommercialpressures,especiallyintransformingthe areaintoatourism-drivenspace,whichcouldleadtothelossofauthenticityand
communityculture.Thiscriticalperspectivepromptsreflectiononhowheritage spacescanretaintheirhistoricalandculturalsignificanceintheever-changing urbanlandscape.
2.3. Complexity of cultural heritage protection
Thetheoreticalfoundationsofheritageconservationwereexplored,including UNESCO'sdefinitionsoftangibleandintangibleculturalheritage,aswellaskey perspectivesandcasestudiesoncommunityinvolvementinheritageconservation. Casestudieswereanalyzedindetail,andstrategieswereproposed.
2.3.1TheoreticalFrameworksofHeritageConservation
Shepherd(2017)highlightsthatinthepasttwentyyears,UNESCOhasexpanded itsfocusonheritageconservationfromtangibleculturalpracticestointangible culturalpractices.ThroughcasestudiesofWorldHeritagesitesinChina,Shepherd criticallyexaminesUNESCO'sapproachtopromotingcommunityparticipationin heritagemanagement,emphasizestheimportanceofpromotingandprotecting humanrights,andattemptstobalanceconservationandpreservationwithwhat arecalled"socialandeconomic"needs.
2.3.2TransitionfromExpert-ledtoCommunity-centeredApproaches
Ahmad(2006)delvesintothescopeanddefinitionofheritage.Thepaperdiscusses variousconservationguidelinesproposedandpassedbyinternational organizationssuchasUNESCOandtheInternationalCouncilonMonumentsand SitessincetheVeniceCharterwasissuedin1964.Thearticlehighlightshowthe
definitionofheritagehasevolvedfromafocuson"historicalmonuments"and otherarchitecturalaspectstoincludegardens,landscapes,andenvironments, showcasingtheglobaldevelopmentanddiversificationofheritagedefinitions.
Thesestudieslayatheoreticalfoundationforthesignificanceofcommunity involvementinheritageconservationandcriticallyexaminethechallengespresent incurrentpracticesofheritagepreservation.WhileUNESCO'sdefinitionsand frameworksofferguidanceforcommunityinvolvementandheritageconservation, theeffectiveimplementationofwidespreadcommunityparticipation,especiallyin thepreservationofintangibleculturalheritage,remainschallenging.There'sa needforheritageconservationpracticestoshiftfromanexpert-centeredapproach toamoreinclusivemethodthatemphasizescommunityinvolvementanddiverse values.
Furthermore,heritageconservationisnotonlyamaterialculturematter;itisalso concernedwiththevaluesofsafeguardingtheintangibleculturalheritage, includingtraditionalknowledge,customs,andwaysoflife.Inaddition,itrefersto thecommunityaspect.Thisiswhereheritageconservationexpertsandpolicymakersareconstantlychallengedbyunderstandingmorecomprehensivelythe culturalbackgroundandvaluesofthecommunities,hencebearingontheidentity ofheritagesitesandframingsafeguardingstrategies.
2.4. Kampong Glam, Little India and Wuzhen, China
KampongGlam,historicallytheseatoftheMalayroyalty,wasalsoabustlinghubof culturalandethnicactivities.Thefocusofitsconservationworkhasbeenon preservinghistoricalbuildings,suchastwo-storyshophouses,whilemaintaining itsculturalandreligiouslandmarks,liketheSultanMosqueandtheMalayHeritage Centre.Theseeffortsaimtopreservethearea'sMalay/Muslimheritageand characteristics.UnlikeChinatown,therewasnolarge-scaleresidentialrelocation planforKampongGlam.AlthoughareaslikeHajiLanearenowfilledwith immigrantsfromtheMiddleEast,theMalayreligiousatmosphereremainsvery strong.
Figure 9:MasjidSultaninKampongGlam(Source:Adam)
TheconservationjourneyofLittleIndiatellsaslightlydifferentstory.Ithadnever beenzonedbyRafflesforanycommunityinparticular,but,likeeveryother commercialcenter,ithadgrownuphaphazardlyandhadeventuallydevelopedinto theprimeIndiancommunityinSingapore.Since1989,withthegazettingofLittle Indiaasoneoftheconservationareas,itpushedtheareatoitsfullpotentialwith thericharchitecture,culture,andhistoryconserved.Whiletheconservationefforts haveledtosomeresidentsmovingoutduringthe1960sand1970s,theareahas predominantlyremainedacommercialcenterwithsignificantIndianpopulation influences.Thepresenceoftraditionalbusinessesandreligiouslandmarks, alongsidetherevitalizationprojectsliketheIndianHeritageCentre,underscoresa commitmenttopreservingthearea'sculturalvibrancywithoutawholesale relocationofitsresidents.
Figure 10:P.GovindasamyPillai'sshopatLittleIndiaArcade,1990（Source: URA
Wuzhen,aquintessentialJiangnanwatertownwithahistoryspanningover1300 years,standsasoneofthemostrenownedancienttownsinSoutheastChina. Famousforitswell-preservedancientarchitecture,stonebridges,slatepaths,and exquisitewoodcarvings,WuzheniscrisscrossedbytheBeijing-HangzhouGrand Canal,enhancingitswatersystemanddividingthetownintofourscenicareas: East,South,West,andNorthGrids.Theconstructionofthecanalhasfacilitated commodityandculturalexchangesthroughouttheregion.
Fromaculturalpreservationperspective,Wuzhenhasnotonlyretainedits traditionalarchitecturalstyleandwayoflifebuthasalsocarvedauniquepathin itsdevelopmentamidstmodernization.
Figure 11:Wuzhen,China(Source:https://zjnews.zjol.com.cn/)
TheholisticpropertydevelopmentmodeladoptedinWuzhen,China,particularly initsXizhaarea,representsauniquestrategy.Thismethod,followinga"relocate
first,developandinviteback"approach,involvedasignificantinvestmentto acquireallpropertyrightswithinthearea,subsequentlyallowingforunified developmentbyasingleentity.Whilethisapproachhasfacilitatedthepreservation andtourismdevelopmentoftheancienttown,ithasalsosparkeddiscussions regardingitsimpactoncommunitycultureandresidents'lives.
IntheDongzhascenicarea,duetoearlierdevelopmentphases,apartialrelocation andretentionapproachwasadopted,maintainingacertainnumberoforiginal residents.Conversely,inXizha,manyindividualsappearingasresidentsare actuallyemployeeshiredbythecompany,includingsomelocals.Althoughthis maintainsanappearanceof"liveliness"withintheancienttown,itessentially altersthetraditionalcommunitystructureandculture.
Figure 12:Wuzhen(Source:@WuzhenScenicAreaPublic)
ChenXianghong,GeneralManagerofWuzhenTourismCo.,Ltd.andthe"chief designer"ofWuzhen,notedthatnowinXizha,asignificantmajorityofthose engagedinhomestayandtourismoperations,whethercompanyemployeesor tenants,arelocals,markinganunprecedentedconcentrationofWuzhennatives livingandworkingintheoldstreets.Thisprovideseconomicopportunitiesfor localresidentsbutraisesquestionsaboutthelong-termsustainabilityofthis modelinpreservingtheauthenticityandcontinuityofcommunityculture.
TheNanzhaarearetainsmoreoftheauthenticarchitectureandlifestyleof residents,presentingacontrasttothenewerconstructionswithinthescenicareas. Mostresidentshereareoriginalinhabitants,whoselifestylesandbusiness operationscloselyalignwithtraditionalWuzhenpractices.However,these residentsalsolookforwardtotheeconomicbenefitsredevelopmentmaybring, reflectingaconflictedsentimentbetweenpreservingtraditionalwaysoflifeand seekingfinancialimprovement.
Overall,Wuzhen'sdevelopmentandconservationstrategies,whilepromoting tourismandeconomicdevelopment,haveraisedconcernsaboutthecontinuityof communitycultureandthequalityoflifeforresidents.Balancingeconomicgrowth withculturalheritageprotection,ensuringcommunityparticipation,andsharing benefitsremaincriticalconsiderationsinthedevelopmentprocessofancient towns.
2.5 Heritage conservation theories 2.5.1Sustainability,intergenerationalequity,andpluralism
EricaAvramidiscussestheintersectionofsustainability,intergenerationalequity, andpluralismwithinheritageconservation,examininghowtheseconceptscan shapealternativefutures.Ithighlycritiquesreproachtotheconventionalmodel basedonpreservationfocusingonmaterialheritagefabricandstronglyadvocating forprocess-drivenpracticevalue,whichvaluesdiscursiveinvolvementwiththe communityoverandabovematerialconservation.Avramiadvocatesthatheritage preservationbeimplementedinresponsetotheinherent,fluctuantvaluesand,at thesametime,facilitateadaptable,encouraging,andenergeticpracticesinsupport offlexible,inclusive,anddynamicurbansustainabledevelopment.Heritage policiesmustadaptandbecomemuchmoreintunewithbroadergoalsof sustainability.
2.5.2Authenticity,ValueandCommunityInvolvementinHeritageManagement
ThetheorybyDeaconandSmeetsdiscussestheimportanceofcommunity involvementinheritagemanagementundertheUNESCOWorldHeritageand IntangibleHeritageConventions.Itisdrawingtothechangeinrealizationofthe roleofcommunitiesintheidentification,management,andprotectionofheritage, meanwhilecallingformoreactivecommunityparticipationandinvolvementeven inissuesrelatedtoheritagevalueandauthenticity.Thearticleshalltakeacritical standontheconventional,expert-drivenprocessofheritagevalueandauthenticity
inamoreinclusiveviewoftheprocess,bringingoutandrespectingthe communities'perspectiveandvaluesthataregenuinelyengagedinthem.This wouldbeintermsofthestrategyensuringthatheritagepracticesarecloserto observation,belongingtotheculturalandidentitycontextsofcommunitiesin sustainingpracticesthatvaluethediversityandintegrityexpressedbyculture.
2.5.3ErasureandAppearance
StallmeyerandDearbornexploresthedynamicsof"ErasureandAppearance" withinurbanheritagemanagement,focusingoncasesfromAsia.Thiscritically reflectsonhowheritagepoliciesandmanagementpracticesmayatonceinvolve destructionandatthesametimesubstitutionoremergenceandreinforcementof othervariousculturalelements,mostlymotivatedbythenecessitiesof streamliningheritagefortourismandeconomicdevelopment.Thishadadeep influenceonthepowerrelationsanddiscoursesrelatedtoheritageintheglobal process.Itcomesoutwithissuesrelatedtoauthenticity,communityparticipation, andsustainabilityofthetangibleandintangibleculturalheritage.
2.5.4CommunityEngagementandInclusivePreservationinUrbanHeritage
Conservation
Inreflectiontothetheories,theybearsignificanceinindicatingthebalanceof cultureandchangeinthesites Chinatown,KampongGlam,andLittleIndia.The difficultyhereistomanageheritageconservationinawaythatdoesnotgivean 'erasure'ofrealculturalidentitiesontheonesideand,ontheotherside,doesnot
let'appearance'betakenbycommodified,inauthenticaspectstailoredfortourism. Thiswillverymuchmaketheargumentforthegreatimportanceofdrawing communitiesactivelyintotheprocessoftheirownconservation,theirheritage remainingalivingpartoftheirlives,andnotjustabackdropforvisitors.
Thepreservationofhistoricdistrictsshouldbebalancedwiththeviewsofcurrent residentsandindigenousinhabitant.ForplaceslikeChinatownwherethe indigenouspeoplehavebeencompletelydisplaced,itisimportanttofindawayto respectthehistoricalandculturalheritageoftheareawhilemeetingtheneedsand aspirationsofcurrentcommunitymembers.Thinkingdialectically,preservation shouldnotmerelyclingtothepast,butshouldpromoteculturalrevitalizationand transmission,andensurethatpreservationmeasuresreflectdiverseidentitiesand contributetothesustainabledevelopmentofthecommunity.Inclusive participatoryprocessesandanawarenessofthediversityofcommunitiesare thereforeessential.
An"inclusiveparticipatoryprocess"meansactivelyinvitingandencouragingall voicestoparticipateindecision-makingduringthehistoricpreservationand communitydevelopmentprocesstoensurethatdifferentgroups,culturesand interestsarefairlyconsidered.Awarenessofcommunitydiversity"involves understandingandrespectingthediversityofcultures,historicalbackgroundsand lifestyleswithincommunities,andemphasizestheimportanceofpreservingnot onlytangibleculturalheritage,butalsointangibleculturalexpressionsandsocial
practicesinconservationefforts.Suchananalysiscancontributetomore comprehensiveandlastingpreservationoutcomes,givinghistoricpreservation bothdepthandbroadsocialsupport.
METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Design Thisstudyemploysacriticalcasestudyandcomparativeanalysisframework, aimingtodelveintothechallengesandopportunitiesfacedbyChinatownand otherselectedcommunitiesinthepracticeofculturalheritagepreservation.The mainreasonforchoosingthisresearchdesignisthatcriticalcasestudiesallow researcherstoconductin-depthanalysesofspecificpractices,policies,andsocial phenomena,revealingtheunderlyingpowerstructures,conflictsofinterest,and valuebiases.Furthermore,throughcomparativeanalysis,thisresearchcanidentify commonalitiesanddifferencesinculturalheritagepreservationacrossdifferent communities,therebyproposinguniversallyapplicablerecommendationsand strategies.
3.2
Data Collection Thedatacollectionmethodsforthisstudycomprisethreemaincomponents: literaturereview,oralhistoryresearch,andfieldobservation:
LiteratureReview:Bysystematicallyexaminingrelevantacademicliterature,policy documents,projectreports,andmediacoverage,atheoreticalfoundationfor culturalheritagepreservationisestablished.Thisreviewaimstoprovidethe necessarybackgroundknowledgetoidentifyresearchquestionsandconstructa
theoreticalframework,therebyunderstandingtheresearchoutcomesandpractical experiencesinsimilarfieldsbothdomesticallyandinternationally.
OralHistoryResearch:ThisinvolvesseekingoutoralhistoriesfromChinatown, KampongGlam,LittleIndia,andWuzhen.Thecollectionofinsightsonthe implementationofculturalheritagepreservationpolicies,experiencesof communityparticipation,andviewsontheauthenticityofculturalheritagefrom experts,residents,andtouristsaimstogarnerin-depthpersonalperspectivesand practicalexperiences,supplementingtheinformationobtainedfromtheliterature review.
FieldObservation:ConductingfieldobservationsinChinatownandthe comparativecasecommunitiestorecordthecurrentstateofculturalheritage preservation,communityparticipationactivities,andtourismdevelopment.Field observationaidsingainingadirectunderstandingofthepracticesandchallenges facedbythecommunitiesinculturalheritagepreservation,therebyenhancingthe empiricalbasisoftheresearch.
3.3 Analysis Method Thisstudyfocusesonthesignificanceofcommunityparticipationinheritage preservation,withaparticularemphasisonidentifyingtheshortcomingsinthis regardwithinSingapore'sChinatown.Theanalysismethodisstructuredasfollows toaddresstheresearchtopic:
ThematicAnalysis:Datatobeusedinthisresearchwillbeobtainedthrougha literaturereview,oralhistories,andfieldobservation.Fromthedataobtained,itis subjectedtothematicanalysis.Thisisaqualitativeanalyticalmethodthatmainly focusesontheprocessofcodingthedataandisolatingthemeslinkedto participationinthepreservationofculturalheritagebythecommunity.Theaims aretoseeapatternthatwillreflectthepartofcommunityandexistinggapsin engaginginChinatownheritageconservationefforts.
ComparativeAnalysis:Theapproachwillalsobeemployedinthecomparisonof theactivitiesofChinatownagainstthosecommunitiesofothercommunitiesof SingaporeandevenbeyondSingapore.Thesewillbeimportantinidentifyingbest practiceandmodelsofcommunityparticipation,whichcouldaddressthe identifiedlimitationsintheChinatownprecinct.Thecomparisonwilllookatthe mechanismsofcommunityinvolvementandthelevelofcommunityinvolvement withrespecttotheoutcomeofsuchinvolvementsinheritagepreservation.
CriticalEvaluation:Itwillalsoprovideananalyticoverviewthatcritically undertakesheritagepreservationpoliciesinChinatown,withaviewtocomparing themagainstthetheoreticalbackgroundandframeworkswithcommunity participationandpracticesofheritageconservation.Thisevaluationwillreflecton theeffectivenatureoftheexistingstrategiesinrealcommunityengagementand thepreservationofculturalauthenticity.Thisistobebasedaswellonsocio-
politicalandeconomiccontexts,whichinfluencecommunityparticipationfor heritagepreservation.
DevelopmentofRecommendations:Guidedbythefindingsofthethematicand comparisonanalyses,supportedbytheresultsofacriticalreview,thestudywill framecertainrecommendationsthatmaybeaimedatbetteringcommunity involvementinheritagepreservationatChinatown,Singapore.Theseidentified specificgapsandchallengeswillformthebasisoftheanalysisfromwhich conclusionswouldbedrawn,andhencetherecommendationswillbedesignedto suggestpracticalstepsforstakeholderstowardsfosteringamoreinclusiveand effectiveapproachtopreservation.
Thedissertationwill,therefore,usethesemethodsofanalysistobringforth comprehensiveinformationinthepaperregardingcommunityparticipationin heritagepreservationinSingaporeChinatown,whileatthesametimeputting forwardactionableinsightstowardsthesame.
ANALYSIS 4.1 Thematic analysis Itwillexamine,hence,theredevelopmentofSingaporeChinatownanditseffecton preservationattitudesinculturalheritage.Thiswillbringtolighttherelationship thatliesbetweentheconservationofChinatownandcommunityattitudesthrough assessingtheviewpointsthatcomefromformerresidents,currentimmigrants, tourists,andthelocals.Thekeyquestionwouldthenbeonhowthetransformation ofChinatownreflectsthewaythecommunityparticipatesintheircontributionand challengetothepreservationofculturalheritage.
Data Sources and Analysis Method Thissectionwillwidelyuseadatasourceapproachinunderstandingattitudes regardingconservationofculturalheritageandchangeincommunityrelationsin Chinatown.UsedthelocalcommunityforumsinSingapore,theofficialoralhistory websitesandreviews,andtouristsoftwareofthenewsreportstoassistgaining improvedoverallcomprehension.Thesesourcesofferuniqueviewpointsonthe changesinChinatownfrombothhistoricalandcontemporaryperspectives.The currentresearchseekstocategorizeandanalyzeinformationfromthesebroadbasedsourcesthematicallywithaviewtoestablishingthekeycomponentsthat featurethecommunity'sattitudesandbehaviorswithregardtothepreservationof culturalheritageinChinatown.Thematicanalysiswouldserveasamethodforthe
currentstudytogiveanopportunitytodistilmajorimportantthemesoutofalotof data;thesewouldrepresentthecomplexityofcommunitytransformationin Chinatownanditsinfluenceoverattitudestowardsthepreservationofcultural heritagemoremeaningfully.
4.2 Oral History Interviews (Source: Oral History Centre) Interviewee:CHEONGSweeKee
RecordingDate:29Apr2000
Details 1. Theintervieweehaslivedat61AngMoKiofor15yearsinahousewith sharedkitchenandtoiletfacilities.Thebasiclayoutincludedopenspaces whereresidentswouldhangtheirlaundryonafive-footway.Kitchenware waskeptinindividualroomsduetospaceconstraints,andtherewereno conflictsreportedovertheuseofthekitchen.Post-dinneractivitieswere notdetailed,butthecurrentstateofsurvivalandfreeopen-airmoviesat theCommunityCentre(CC)werementioned.Thebucketsystemandnight soilcollectorswerepartofthesanitationpractices.Roomswereoften subdividedforrent,withmealsfrequentlyeatenincorridorsandleftovers storedaccordingly.Commonformsoflightingintheresidencewerealso noted.
2. Theneighborhood,predominantlyCantonese,haditsshareofgoodandbad relations.Occasionalfightsandargumentsbrokeout,butultimately,there wasasenseofharmony.Theinterviewee’smotherprovidedfree treatmentstosickneighbors,showcasingastrongcommunityspirit. ActivitiesprovidedbyYanqingAssociationwereafocalpointforthe community,drawingpeopletogether.Childhoodwasfilledwithgames, includingcatchingandplayingwithspiders,wheredifferentspecieswere pittedagainsteachothertodeterminethebetterfighter.Cockfightswere alsoacommonsightbytheroadside.Relationshipsamongresidentswere friendlyandhelpful,characterizedbymutualassistance,contrastingwith thepresentstateofisolationandperceivedselfishness.
3. Theintervieweereflectsonthesignificantchangesbetweenpastand present,notingthattheuniquecharacteroftheplacehasdiminished.They remarkthatChinatownhaslostitsdistinctiveness,blendingintoa uniformityseeninmanyothercountries.Thetraditionalshophouses,once emblematicofthearea,havegivenwaytotoomanycontemporary elements,dilutingtheculturalessenceChinatownwasknownfor. Regardingthefuture,theintervieweeexpressesadesiretoeschewthe trendyelements.Theywouldn'trecommendChinatownasadestinationto theiroverseasfriendslookingforanauthenticexperience,asithasbecome toohomogenized.Thecommercializationhasovertakenthecultural
experiencetheyexpectfromSingapore'sChinatown.Theinterviewee suggeststhattheonlytimethespiritoftheoldChinatownreemergesis duringtheChineseNewYearcelebrations.Theyadvocateforan environmentreminiscentoftheChinatownofyesteryears,asopposedto themodern,overlycommercializedshopsthatarecurrentlythere.
RecordingDate:26Mar2000
1. Chinatown'sstreetshaveevolvedsignificantlyfromitspastasared-light districtwithoperationalbrothels,roomsforsexworkers,blindmasseurs, andareasconcentratedwithopiumdens.Thephysicallayoutofthese opiumdensandgamblingspots,particularlyduringtheJapanese occupation,andthenatureofgamblingarenoteworthy.Thepre-war emergencyresponsebytheSikhcommunity,gangbrawlsalongCraigRoad, andtheOldCentralPoliceStationonSouthBridgeRoadarepartofits tumultuoushistory.Descriptionsofdifferenttypesofpoliceoperating duringtheoccupation,theoldPoliceCourt,andthestructureofother policestationsinChinatowndepicttheorderwithinthechaos.Informants joiningculturalassociations,theassociations'mainactivities,andthe
Interviewee:TANSweeTeck
Details
responsibilitiesofbeingtheheadoftheBengChoonKokAssociation illustratecommunitydynamics.
2. Residents'relationshipsinChinatownhaveundergonesignificantchanges; previously,thecommunitywasclose-knit,withresidentshelpingeach otherandbeingfamiliarwithoneanother.Now,connectionshave dwindled,andpeoplerarelyrecognizetheirneighbors.Theinterviewee expressesapreferencefortheolderChinatown,highlightingthedeclineof celebrationsandcommunitygatheringsthatusedtobecommon.Opinions ontransformingshophousesintoparksaremixed;whileitmayseem beneficial,ithasledtoalossoftheclosecommunityfeel,withmorenoise andtheneedforconstantcleanliness.Thepastfrequentinteractions amongresidentshavebeenreplacedwithisolation,withresidentsmeeting lessoften.
RecordingDate:21Oct2000
Details
1. Inthepast,Chinatownwasahubofculturalandsocialactivity,where childrenoftenconversedindialects,andstorytellingstallswereacommon sightintheChinaStreetarea,attractingvariousaudiencegroups. Rediffusionservedasanotherpopularpastime,alongwithvisitingcinemas
Interviewee:CHIA,VictorSoonChuan
formovies,whereticketsweremanuallyissued,andpriceswere significantlylowerthantoday.TheinformantfondlyrecallstheMajestic Theatreandtheuniqueexperienceofopen-airtheatresandmobilemovies thatmovedalongthestreets.
2. Chinatownresidentscelebratedfestivalstogether,withreligious ceremoniesheldintheninthlunarmonthandvibrantChineseNewYear celebrationsthatincludedmanyfoodstalls.Therewerecertaintaboos associatedwiththeNewYearcelebrations.Theinformantnotesthatonlya fewChristiansinChinatowncelebratedChristmas,highlightingthearea's distinctiveculturalidentityandtheclose-knitneighborhoodrelationships thatcharacterizedthecommunity.
3. Despitethepassageoftime,someneighborscontinuetomaintainclose relationships,caringdeeplyabouteachother'sfamilywell-being. Chinatownhasseensignificantchangesfromthepasttothepresent, especiallyinarchitecturalstyles.Theshophousesofmemory,withtheir varyingheights,havegivenwaytoalteredstructures.Whilethebuildingsof thepastmightnothavebeenstructurallyrobust,theycarriedthesoulof Chinatown.Residentsmightnothavebeenwell-educatedbackthen,but thespiritbehindthecreationofChinatownremainscompelling.Evenif somephysicalelementsarenolongerpresent,theessenceandsenseof
Chinatowncouldpotentiallyreturn,althoughtherearedoubtsaboutthe revivalofcertainaspects.
4.3 Tourist Reviews on today's Chinatown (Source: TripAdvisor, Local Forums, Google Map)
Foreigner/Local
Tourist (USA)
Tourist (UK)
ItisatypicalChinatownvibe:yes,it smellsalittlefunny.Itisoftenvery crowded,andalleysarenarrow.Thatis partofthecharm.Somanyrestaurants andcafes,minglingwithendlesscheap souvenirstalls.Wefoundsomecheapgifts tobringhome.
There’ssomethingaboutSingapore’s Chinatownthatjustdidn’tconnectwith me,particularlywhencomparedwith othersintheregion andnotablythatof nearbyKualaLumpur.ThisChinatown lacksprettybackalleysandquaint, lantern-liteateriesandcocktailbars.
Positive
Negative
Though,aseverywhereinSingapore, therearesomegoodhawkermarketsfor food.Toomuchtouristtatbeingsoldtoo. So,nothingspecialinmyestimation.
Local GoogleMap
Local GoogleMap
Local LocalForums
It'saveryniceplace,andthere'salotof stuffinthestreet,andthepaintingsareso vivid,theyfitinsowell,thatit'sworth keepingasasouvenir.
Figure 13:Chinatownmural.Source:
https://www.chinanews.com.cn/hr/hrtrj/news/2009/08-25/1833235.shtml
Youcanfindtraditional,Chinese-flavored goodsandfoodhere,averynicefeeling.
Positive
Positive
Ineverfeelstaredatinanuncomfortable way-sometimesIcantellpeoplehave noticedus,butitdoesn'tseemnegative. Positive
Oftentimesitseemsmorecurious.We werejustatthewetmarketthismorning &theguyIbuychickenfromsawmeand wasveryfriendly(alwaysis)-'Longtime, nosee!Howareyou?'(GuessI'vebeen sendingthemaidtobuychickenlately& haven'tbeenmyself
4.4 Reviews from current residents of Chinatown (Source: Local Forums, Newspaper, Instagram, Twitter)
Name Reviews Attitude
Local LocalForums
Erich Sollbock
German Sausage VendorStall Owner
ThecommunityofChinatownisquitelarge, withdifferentaspectsoflifeinindividual neighborhoods. Neutral
“Sincethere-openingoftheChinatownfood courtCenter,ithasastrongersenseof community.Manylocalsuseitasa gatheringpoint.Myoriginalclientele consistedof70%localsandpermanent Feeling included, positive
Immigrants fromAustria residents,whichhasnowincreasedto80%, withtherestbeingtourists.”
Attimes,residentsofChinatownwould comeforwardtochatwithhim,showing thatthis"outsider"hasgainedthe recognitionofthelocalresidentsandhas integratedintothecommunity.Whenhe encountersaChinesecustomer,hewillspit outtheword"bread"instandardChinese.
"Youcan'ttakeawaythispieceof ChinatownfromSingapore.Isthereany cornerofSingaporethatcanshowsucha richanddiversefacetoflifeinonesquare mile?Manycolonial-erabuildingsof historicalvaluecanbefoundhere.The traditionalwayoflifeisalsopreserved here."
Sun Guocui
Ownerof Northeastern cuisine restaurantin Chinatown
Immigrants fromShandong Province, China.
Figure 14:GermanSausageVendorStall
Source:www.chinanews.com.cn
Therearequiteafewnortheasternersin Singapore,"6outof10guestsare northeasterners.”
"BeforeIcamehere,Iwasworriedabout thedifferentlanguageandnotadaptingto life.IcametoChinatownonmy2nddayin Singaporeandwasrelievedtofindthat everyoneherecanspeakMandarin."
"ItisveryconvenienttoliveinChinatown, toremitmoney,tobuyadditionaldaily necessities,andeventobuyfoodand suppliesproducedinChina,Yuhua DepartmentStoreisjustaroundthecorner.
Feelingsecure, positive
Zhou Min
Theforemanof Szechuan Garden,a Sichuan restauranton PagodaStreet. Immigrants fromSichuan Province, China.
Kenny Leck
Ownerof English Literature BookStore "Books Actually" Local
Withtheconvenienttransportationin Chinatown,itiseasytogoanywhere."
“WhenIfirstcametoChinatown,Ifeltthat itwasagoodplacetocommunicate,"I didn'tfeelverystrange",andtherewere manyChinesepeopleinthecommunity;ifI wantedtoremitmoneyorbuydaily necessities,nearbyshoppingcenterssuch asPearlPlace,OG,andDowntownPlace couldmeetmyneeds.”
Feeling convenient, positive
NotallSingaporeansgrowupinkampongs, somegrowupinshophouses.Anexampleis myfather,whogrewuparoundNewton Circle.IftheculturalheritageofChinatown canbepassedontoyoungSingaporeans throughalesscommercializedandtouristpromotionalapproach,Ibelievewewillbe abletoabsorbmore."
Hopethat Chinatown wouldnotbe too commercialized, the transformation ofChinatownis
Josiny Ownerof
HepointedoutthatAnnSiangRoad,which bordersKernerStreetwithits concentrationofWesternrestaurantsand nightclubs,stillhasseveralactiveChinese clansmen'sassociations,someofwhichrun weeklyoperaclasses.
"Newimmigrantshaveopenedlocalcuisine restaurantsthatgiveustheopportunityto trydishesfromdifferentpartsofChina.As longasthefoodistasty,thereisnoreason whySingaporeansshouldnotgravitate towardsthem."
"BeforeIopenedmystore,Iseldomcameto Chinatown,exceptforcomingtodoannual shopping.Choosingtoopenastorehere wasveryfortuitous.Aftercominghere,I realizedthattherearequiteafewquiet cornersinChinatownhidingrestaurants andcafetobediscovered,likeKeongSaik Roadisveryinteresting."
anorganic developmentof thesociety, positive
Local
Surprisingly likeable, positive
“CasualPoet” onthe3rd floorofthe NewBridge Road storehouse
4.5
Key findings SineadCheukpointedoutthatfromAnn SiangRoadtoKeongSaikRoad,just"go straightandturnleft"(i.e.,turnleftafter passingSmithStreet),andthatherguests cantakeabreakat"RandomPoet"after walkingalongAnnSiangRoad.
4.5.1CurrentsituationofChinatown
InSingapore,reportsbytheLianheZaobaohavehighlightedthesignificant transformationsChinatown,hasundergoneinrecentyears.Oncethestartingpoint forearlyChineseimmigrantsandrichinChineseculturalandhistoricalambiance, theareahasseenitscommunitylandscapereshapedbyaninfluxofforeignersand theintroductionoflocalyouth'slifestylesintothistraditionalneighborhood.The memoriesoftheoldergenerationarebeingremodeledbythenewgeneration.
OfficialoralhistoryrecordingsfromSingaporerevealthatmanylocalChineseover theageof40lament,"Chinatownisnolongerwhatitusedtobe."Theybelievethat theChinatownofthepasthadmoredistinctivecharacteristicsandcloser communityties.Long-termresidentsnotethatthemostsignificantchangein recentyearsmaybethedecreaseinlocalresidentsandtheincreaseinforeigners, includingbothnewimmigrantsandtouristsfromaroundtheglobe.
Injustafewyears,Chinatownhasseentheemergenceofnumerousauthentic NorthernChineserestaurants,andthestreetsarenowfilledwithnon-Singaporean accentsspeakingMandarinandChinesedialectsbeyondthefamiliarrangeofthe localChinesecommunity.Thisshiftindicatesthattheonceunimpededuseof CantoneseinChinatownhaschanged.
ItisnoteworthythatSingapore'sChinatowndiffersfromthoseinothercountries duetothemajorityChinesepopulationinitssocietalbackdrop,allowingfora greaterspacefortheinclusionofforeigncultures.Whilesomelocalelementshave graduallyvanishedintheprocessofcommunitydevelopment,newelementshave beenintroduced,addingnewattractionstoChinatown.Thesenewadditions, althoughnotnecessarilyoriginatingfromSoutheastAsianChinese,stillhold appealforotherSingaporeansandtouristsalike.
Infact,basedontheannualreportin2007oftheSingaporeTourismBoard, ChinatowncomessecondtoOrchardRoadamongthemostvisitedtouristspotand evenoverLittleIndiaasaculturalattractionintermsofthenumberofitsvisitors. Thistrendisnorecentdevelopment,astheareaofChinatownhasprovenpopular amongtouristsforwelloveradecade.
4.5.2EvolutionofSingapore'sChinatown ThedevelopmentofChinatowninSingaporeitselfisaverygoodexampleofthe interactionofglobalizationwithlocalization.FromitsveryfoundationasaChinese immigrantsettlementtoportrayingoneoftheblendingpointsofmulticultural
Singaporetoday,itcaneasilyberevealedthatChinatownhasdramaticallychanged initssociopoliticalclimateandculturaldevelopment.
Historical Background and Early Community Formation:
Chinatownfirstdevelopedduringtheearly19thcentury,andmainlyitwasanarea dominatedbyChineseimmigrantscomingfromregionsofsouthernChina,majorly GuangdongandFujian,wholaiddowntheircommunitiesbasedonChineseculture, establishments,religiouspractices,andwaysofliving.Thoughtheseearly communitiestookrootinthemulticulturallandscapeofSingapore,thecultures reflectedathomewerehomelandsbroughtinbytheimmigrants.
Changes and Internationalization of the Community:
WiththedevelopmentoftheeconomyandinternationalizationinSingapore,the structureofthecommunitylocatedinChinatownhasundergonegreatchanges. Startingfromthe20thcentury,Singaporestartedtodrawtalentandworkersfrom aroundtheworldingreatnumbers,amongwhichaverysubstantialportionwere immigrantsfromNorthernChina.Successivewavesofnewimmigrantgroups carriedwiththemtheculture,dietaryhabits,andwaysoflivingofChinatown. Today,thecharacterofChinatownisnotjustarepresentationofChineseculturein Singapore;itisalsoaminiaturemicrocosmofSingaporeasamulticulturalsociety.
Community Authenticity:
Discussionsoncommunityauthenticitycanbeviewedfromtwoperspectives.On onehand,somemightarguethatChinatown,overtimeandwiththeinfluenceof
foreigncultures,haslostitscharacteristicsandauthenticityasatraditional "Chinatown."Particularly,changesinlocalfoodandbusinessactivitiesareseenasa gradualblurringofitsoriginalculturaltraits.
Ontheotherhand,theessenceofacommunityisitsdynamicchangeand adaptation.Theadditionofnewculturalelementsandcommunitymembers,in fact,signifiesthecontinuousdevelopmentandevolutionofChinatownasaliving community.Fromthisperspective,thechangesinChinatowndonotsignifyaloss ofauthenticity;instead,theydemonstratehowacommunitycanmaintainvitality, adapttochanges,andcontinuetodevelopinthecontextofglobalization.
ThecommunitytransitioninSingapore'sChinatownreflectsabroadersocioculturalphenomenonwhere,undertheinterplayofglobalizationandlocalization, theidentity,culture,andstructureofcommunitiesareinastateofcontinuous evolution.Althoughsuchchangesmightraiseconcernsabouttheauthenticityof traditionalculture,theyalsoshowthatcommunitiesareresilient,capableof integratingnewculturalelements,andcreatingnewcommunityculturesand identities.Therefore,inevaluatingChinatownorsimilarcommunities,adialectical perspectiveshouldbeadoptedthatrecognizesthechallengesbroughtbychange butalsoseestheopportunitiesandpossibilitiesitbrings.
4.6 Comparative Analysis 4.6.1
SettingtheComparativeFramework Therefore,ontheseuniquestrategiesimpactingtheconservationsofcultural heritageinSingaporeChinatown,itwouldbeveryimportanttofindmeasuresin comparisontootherapproachestakenbyothercommunitiesoftheworldin referencetosimilarhistoricalbackgroundswiththesameproblems.Ithasbeen suggestedthatthechoiceofcomparativecasesmaybedelimitedonthegroundsof historicalcommunitydepth,culturaldiversity,andpressuresinmodernization.In thiscomparativeanalysis,onewouldwanttoprobeintothedifferencesin strategiesbythesecommunitiesinkeepingculturalheritage,assessthe effectivenessofthestrategies,andapplylessonsfromthesetoChinatown.
4.6.2
ConservationPracticesinChinatown Chinatownhasformulateditssetofpracticesthatfocusontheconservationof culturalheritageandtargettheeffortstowardpreservingtheincomparable historicalambianceandessenceofculture.Inthestoryofhistoryandsuccess, therearerestorationworksofhistoricalbuildings,refreshmentoftraditional festivals,andtellingthestoryofChinatownbymeansofartinstallationsand exhibitions.Thesegrapplewithlimitingfactorsthatinvolvepoorfunding,the impactofmoderncommercialactivitiesontraditionalculture,andthebalancingof conservationworkwiththedevelopmentalneedsofthecommunity.
4.6.3
BestPracticesandInnovativeModels Thesearebutsomeofthebestpracticesandinnovativeways,drawnfromthe successesatotherheritagesites,whichcanhelpintheeffortstowards conservationinChinatown,Singapore.Forexample,inanareawheredigital technologyisusedfortherecordingandsharingofculturalheritage,itwouldbe recommendedthatstrategiesareputforthformaximumcommunityoutreachand secondlythatpublic-privatepartnershipsareformedtogivesupporttothe projects.
CommunitieslikeKampongGlam,LittleIndia,andWuzhenhaveillustratedthe potentialofdigitalplatformsinenhancingtheeducationandexperienceofcultural heritage.Usinginteractiveapplicationsandvirtualexhibitions,theregionswerein apositiontomakeculturalheritagemoreinvolvingandaccessible.Thesepractices, inChinatown,willstrengthentheidentificationoftheyoungergenerationwith traditionalcultureandhencetheirparticipation.Itwillalsodrawmore internationalattentionandtaketheeffectivenessofprotectionastepfurther.
KampongGlamandLittleIndiahaveshownthatpreservinghistoricarchitecture andculturallandmarks,whileintegratingmoderndevelopments,canmaintainan area'sheritageandcharacter.Inotherwords,suchabalanceisencouragedina waythattheideaofconservationhastocomplementthenotionofdevelopment butnotcompromiseitsothatcommunitiescontinueintheirvivacity.
InWuzhen,the"relocatefirst,developandinviteback"approachhasbeenaunique strategythat,facilitatingbothpreservationandtourismdevelopmentwhile breakingthecomplexityofcommunitycultureintothelightwith commercialization.Ithenceemphasizesthemodelofimportanceofcommunity participationintheplanningprocess,whichmustbeinsuchamannerthatthe economicbenefitsrealizeddonotatanyone-timecompromiseculturaloriginality. Byapplyingthesepracticesandmodels,Chinatowncanimplementtheirstrategies ofconservationinabetterway.Someofthesewouldincludethepromotionof heritagethroughtechnology,increasedparticipationfromthepublicinactivity preservation,anddevelopmentconservationthatwouldkeepthespiritof Chinatownaliveforfuturegenerations.
4.7 Critical Evaluation 4.7
1AnalysisofSocio-PoliticalandEconomicBackground TheanalysisofChinatown'sculturalheritageconservationstrategycannotbe separatedfromitssocio-politicalandeconomicbackground.Theevolutionofthese strategiesislargelyinfluencedbybroaderagendassuchasnation-buildingin Singapore,tourismdevelopment,andurbanrenewal.Inacity-statelikeSingapore, wherelandresourcesarescarce,theeconomicpressuresofmodernizationand developmentoftenclashwiththeneedtoprotectculturalheritage.Moreover,the socio-politicallandscapeformedbyamulticulturalpopulationandthesignificant
roleofthegovernmentinurbanplanningalsodeterminetheapproachtocultural heritageconservation.
Inthesocio-politicalandeconomiccontextofChinatowninSingapore,the formationandimpactofculturalheritageconservationstrategiesinvolvemultiple aspects.Sincethe1960s,theSingaporegovernmenthasbeencommittedto addressingthedeterioratinglivingconditionsandhighpopulationdensityinthe Chinatownarea.Initially,thegovernmentaimedtoreplaceoldshophouseswith modernbuildings,ensuringsocialstabilityandsafetyduringtherenovation process,andcontrollingthepaceofreformtopreventdisorderlymarket development.By1989,thegovernmentofficiallydesignatedChinatownasa conservationareaandbeganimplementingthemasterplanforSingapore's conservationareas.ThisplanwasledbygovernmentagenciessuchastheUrban RedevelopmentAuthority,theSingaporeTourismBoard,andtheNationalArts Council,withthegoalofdevelopingChinatownintoaplacewithdistinctSoutheast Asiancharacteristics.
Inregardtolandandpropertyrights,therefore,thegovernmenttooksubstantive regulationandoperationalmeasurestoensurethesmoothimplementationof theserelatedplans.Therewerefoursignificantpropertyrightsmechanisms introducedbytheSingaporeangovernmenttocontrolthepropertyrightsof participantsofurbandevelopmentintheareaofChinatown.Theseincluderent
control,compulsorylandacquisition,nationallandsales,andconservation planning.
Againstthissocioeconomicandpoliticalbackdrop,thepreservationstrategiesof theculturalheritageinChinatownlargelytookaninfluencingandformative course.Earlyrentcontrollegislationlimitedtherightofthelandlords,gavethem notenoughincomeformaintenance,suppressedthemotivationfor redevelopment,andindirectlyguaranteedtheappearanceoftheoldcity.TheLand AcquisitionActof1966grantedthegovernmentthecontroversialandpowerful righttoexpropriatelandthroughgovernmentgazettes.Underthesepolicy backgrounds,thegovernmentcouldexpropriatelandforChinatown'sdevelopment projectsatrelativelylowcosts.
Since1989,theconservationofareaslikeChinatownbecameagovernment priority.Overthisperiod,thegovernmenthadenactedaseriesofactionsaimedat preservingtheChineseandMalay/Indiaheritageandcharacterofthearea.It includedbuildingrestorationandmaintenance,therevivalandpromotionof traditionalfestivals,andthetellingoftheChinatownstoryfromthegroundup throughartinstallationsandexhibitions.Somanyoftheseeffortshavebeen hamperedbyissuesrelatingtopoorfunding,thenegativeeffectofmodern commercialactivitiesontraditionalculture,andgettingtherightbalancebetween theneedsofcommunitydevelopmentandworkinthefieldofconservation.
4.7.2EffectivenessofExistingStrategies TheconservationstrategiesofculturalheritageappliedinSingaporeChinatown aimatmaintainingthedeephistoryandcultureoftheplaceinsuchawaythat communityparticipationencouragesthemtobepartoftheprocess,hencetruly bringingouttheirfeltneedsandwantsbytheresidents.Thesewillexposesome keyaspects,suchashoweffectiveandlimitingtheyare.
First,thegovernmenthasachievedsomesuccessintheconservationofhistoric buildingsandculturallandmarks;forexample,therestorationoficonicstructures hasbeenasuccessandthemaintenanceofhistoricalfacadesinChinatownhas beenenabledthroughtheinstitutionoflawsthatdealwithplanningconservation. Thishasservedtokeeptheculturalauthenticityintact,thoughtoasmallextent,in thisneighborhoodandhasprovided,atleastrelatively,aclearlookintothelivesof earlyChineseSingaporeansforposterity.
However,theimplementationoftheseconservationstrategieshasalsosparked somecontroversy,especiallyintermsofcommunityparticipation.Although measuresweretakentoencouragecommunitymemberstoparticipateinthe conservationprocess,thisparticipationisoftenlimited,withcommunitymembers lackingsufficientsayinthedecision-makingprocessofconservationwork.Such top-downmodelswillensurethelocalcommunitiesaredetachedfroma conservationeffortthatwould,inthefirstplace,makethempracticefeelinglike
thelocalsaredetachedfromitandfeellikethepracticeisdetachedfromtheirdaily lifeandculturalidentity.
CommercializationandtourismdevelopmentofChinatown,atthesametime, somehowaddeconomicvaluetotheareabutagainthrowinanotherchallengeto culturalauthenticity.Someofthosetraditionalshopswillalsobereplacedinthe courseofcommercializationbynewcommercialentitiesthatmayreducethe uniquenessofChinatownasatraditionalChinesecommunity.Withthegrowthof tourism,suchascenariohasyieldedincreasedvisibilityforChinatown.Itmight,in otheraspects,presentculturesuperficially,withoutdeepunderstandingand interculturalexchange.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS 5.1 Theory and practice of deepening community participation Inexaminingfuturedirectionsforculturalheritagepreservationresearch,we shouldfocusonthesubstantivedeepeningofcommunityinvolvementandthe enhancementofitspracticaleffects.Throughacriticalreflectiononexisting researchfindings,thefollowingtworesearchprioritiesareclearlyproposed:
Strengthening Research on Community Capacities and Resources: Futureresearchneedstodelvedeeperintohowtosubstantiallyenhancethe capacitiesandresourcesofcommunitymemberstofacilitatetheireffective participationinculturalheritagepreservation.Paststudieshaveshownthat communityinvolvementisnotmerelyamatterofformality;rather,thequalityand depthofparticipationarecrucial.Therefore,futureresearchshouldfocusonhow toimprovecommunitymembers'awarenessoftheimportanceofculturalheritage preservationthrougheducation,training,andresourcesharing,aswellashowto enhancetheirparticipationskillsandmotivation.Duringthisprocess,special attentionshouldbepaidtotheequitabledistributionofresourcestoensurethat differentgroupswithinthecommunityhaveequalopportunitiesandsupportfor participation.
Research on the Localization Application of Global Success Cases:
ThecomplexityofpreservingsuchculturalheritageinplaceslikeChinatown, Singapore,furtherresearchshouldtaketheformoflookingatothersuccessstories fromcommunitiestheworldoverconfrontedwithlikechallengesandtostudyhow theseexperiencescanbeadoptedbythelocalcommunitiesfromthoseparticular circumstances.Thisincludesnotonlythetransferoftechnologiesandstrategies butmoreimportantly,understandingandrespectingtheculturalcharacteristics andsocialneedsoflocalcommunities.Forinstance,whatinnovativemodelshave otherregionsadoptedtopromotebroadcommunityinvolvementandprotect culturalauthenticity,andhowcanthesemodelsbeimplementedinthespecific contextofChinatown,consideringvariousculturalandsocialfactorstoensurethe effectivenessandadaptabilityofstrategies.
5.2 Advancing Interdisciplinary Research 5.2.1IntegrationofTechnologyandPreservation
Futurestrategiesshouldencourageinterdisciplinarycollaboration,especially integratingemergingtechnologieslikeVirtualReality(VR),AugmentedReality (AR),andbigdataanalysiswithculturalheritagepreservation.Thesetechnologies offernewwaysfordocumentationanddisplayinpublicparticipationand educationaleffects,whichbecomevividandinteractiveinpreservationactivities. Forexample,whilevirtualrealitytechnologyisappliedtothereconstructionof historicalscenestoprovideanewperspectiveonculturalheritage,bigdata
analysismayhelpresearchersinunderstandingpublicinterestandneeds,thus makingthemcomeupwithbetterstrategiesofpreservation.
5.2.2TheIntersectionofSociologyandUrbanPlanning Thescopeofculturalheritagepreservationraisesasetofissueswherehistory, culture,social,andurbandevelopmentareinterlinked.It,therefore,emergesthat furtherstrategieswillstrengthentheintersectionofsociology,psychology,and urbanplanningtobeabletodealwiththerelationshipbetweencommunity dynamics,urbandevelopment,andculturalheritageconservation.Thisfurther looksatthemannerinwhichtheneedsofculturalheritagecanbeintegratedinto thecity'splanningsystemandhowcommunityinvolvementandpubliceducation caninculcatevalueinunderstandingandrespecttowardit.Theotheroftheseisto ensurethatculturalheritagepreservationisconcurredwithandrunsparallelwith thefocusonpsychologicalneedsandsocialidentitiesofcommunitymembers.
5.3 Research on Localization Strategies in a Globalized Context 5.3.1CulturalIdentityandtheConflictandFusionwithGlobalization
Inthecontextofglobalization,thepreservationofculturalheritagefacesconflicts andchallengesbetweenprotectingculturalidentityandtheinfluenceofglobal culture.Futurestrategiesshouldexplorehowtofindabalancebetweenthetwo, bothpreservingandpromotinglocalculturalheritage,whilealsobeingopentoand integratingforeignculturalelements.Thisincludesanalyzingtheimpactof globalizationonlocalculturalheritageandhowlocalcommunitiescanusetheir
strengthstoresistthetrendofculturalhomogenization,maintainingcultural diversityanduniqueness.
5.3.2
In-depthStudyofLocalizationStrategies Consideringthevariedchallengesandneedsfacedbydifferentregionsand communities,it'scrucialforfuturepolicymakerstodelveintohowlocalized strategiescanbeappliedtodiverseculturalheritagepreservationprojects.This entailstakingintoaccountthelocalhistoricalcontext,socialstructure,andcultural valuestodevelopprotectionstrategiesthatalignwithlocalcharacteristics. Moreover,researchshouldfocusonhowthesestrategiesfacilitatecultural exchangeandunderstandingbothwithinandoutsidethecommunity,enhancing theroleofculturalheritageasabridgeamongdifferentculturesandgroups. Throughtheapplicationoflocalizedstrategies,thesustainabledevelopmentof culturalheritageconservationcanbeachieved,promotingcommunitycultural prosperityandsocialharmony.
5.4
Establishment of assessment and monitoring mechanisms 5.4.1
Long-termTrackingandAssessment Aboveall,inorderfortheculturalheritagepreservationprojecttohavepositive andlastingeffects,anevaluationandmonitoringmechanismshouldbeputinplace forthelongterm.Thiswillimplymeasuringchangesincommunityparticipation andculturalvibrancy,thusappraisinglong-termimpactsoftheprojectson improvementsincommunityeconomicconditionsandimprovementofcommunity
cohesion,elevationofcommunitymembers'identificationwithlocalculture. However,manycurrentevaluationsfocusonshort-termoutcomes,lackinganindepthanalysisoflong-termimpacts.Onthisbasis,onewouldconsiderafurther thoroughassessmentoftheexistingmethodologiesandexplorationinto constructingalong-rangechangeevaluationframeworktocapturethedurability andhenceprofoundchangeoftheimpactsarisingfromtheprojectsofpreserving culturalheritage.
5.4.2InnovationinEvaluationMethods Currentevaluationmethodologiesforculturalheritageconservationprograms oftenoverlookcommunityinvolvementandculturalauthenticity.Traditional evaluationmethodsmayfocustoomuchonquantitativedatalikeparticipation ratesandtouristnumbersandmisscommunityengagementandtheimpactof culturalheritagepreservationoncommunityculturalidentity.Toaccurately evaluateculturalheritageconservationprograms,futureresearchshouldpromote thedevelopmentanduseofnewevaluationtools.Thisincludesusingmixedmethodstudyapproachesthatintegratequantitativeandqualitativeanalysiswith emergingtechnologieslikesocialmediaanalyticsandwebdataminingtocapture communityinvolvement'sdynamicandmultidimensionalelements.Evaluation methodsshouldalsofocusoncommunitymembers'opinionsandfeedbackon culturalheritageconservationprojectsandhowtheyaffecttheireverydaylivesand customs.
Long-termtrackingandassessmentproceduresandinnovativeevaluation
methodologiescangiveculturalheritageconservationprogramsusefulfeedback andassistance.Thishelpsprojectdesignersandimplementersanalyzetheir work'slong-termimpact,changetechniquestomeetcommunityrequirements, andpromoteculturalauthenticity.Thisapproachprovidesdeepinsightsanda sustainableculturalheritageconservationstrategy.
5.5 Optimization of Policy and Legislative Framework 5.5.1
PolicyRecommendations Inordertostrengthenculturalheritageconservationandpromotewidespread communityinvolvement,criticalanalysisofcurrentpoliciesisessentialfor formulatingpracticalpolicyrecommendations.Firstly,policymakersmustensure thatpolicydesigncomprehensivelyreflectstheneedsanddesiresofcommunity members,especiallythosedirectlyaffectedbyculturalheritageconservation projects.Additionally,policiesshouldencourageinter-departmentalcollaboration, integrationofresourcesandexpertise,tosupporttheeffectiveprotectionand managementofculturalheritage.Policiesshouldalsoincludeincentivessuchas financialsubsidiesandtaxincentivestoencourageparticipationinconservation activitiesbyprivatesectorentitiesandcommunitymembers.Finally,policy formulationshouldconsiderthelong-termandcomplexnatureofculturalheritage conservation,ensuringthesustainabilityandflexibilityofstrategiestoaddress futurechallenges.
5.5.2PerfectingtheLegislativeFramework Atthelegallevel,enhancinglegislativeframeworksiscrucialtoensuringthe successofculturalheritageconservation.Legislationshouldclearlydefinethe scopeandcategoriesofculturalheritage,providingclearcriteriaandprocedures foritslegalrecognition.Additionally,legislationshouldclarifytherightsand obligationsofcommunityparticipationinconservationactivities,providinglegal avenuesforcommunitymemberstoparticipateindecision-making,monitoring, andevaluation.Thelawshouldalsospecifypenaltiesfordamagingorimproperly alteringculturalheritage,strengtheningenforcementmeasures.Moreover, legislationshouldconsidertherelationshipbetweenculturalheritageconservation andothersocio-economicactivitiessuchaseconomicdevelopmentandurban planning,seekingbalanceandcoordinationtoensureeffectiveprotectionof culturalheritagewhilesupportingsustainablecommunitydevelopment.Finally, thelegislativeframeworkshouldincludesupportforinternationalcooperationand exchange,promotingthesharingofglobalculturalheritageprotectionexperiences andresourceintegration.
Throughpolicyrecommendationsandtheoptimizationoflegislativeframeworks,a solidfoundationcanbeprovidedforcommunityparticipationinculturalheritage conservation,ensuringtheeffectiveprotectionandinheritanceofculturalheritage whilepromotingcommunityvitalityandsustainabledevelopment.
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APPENDICES Appedix-1 URA Chinatown Maps and Heritage Panel
Appedix-2 Protective Measures of Chinatown The urban planning map of Singapore published in London in 1828, with "Chinese Campong" marked in the upper left corner.
