WET MARKETS IN SINGAPORE: BUILDING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY

Abstract

The modern urbanized society has often been associated with alienation and anonymity. Many studies done on Singapore lamented the loss of community ever since residents were relocated from kampungs (villages) into HDB public housing in the 1960s. While much emphasis has been placed on examining the ways in which the state has been trying to foster a sense of community in HDB neighbourhoods through physical and visual planning as well as provision of common spaces in the neighbourhoods, there is minimal attention given to exploring the importance of wet markets, as everyday spaces of consumption, which I argue have tremendous potential to build cohesive neighbourhood communities. Apart from the economic aspects of consumption, this thesis also seeks to unravel the socio-cultural aspects associated with consumption, with respect to wet markets in Singapore. Subsequently, I seek to find out whether the regular consumption practices and routines to the wet markets play a significant role in building the neighbourhood communities. This research shows that consumption practices in the wet markets are far beyond mere money-object economic exchanges but are often deeply intertwined with social relations and symbolic meanings which are significant to the everyday lived experiences of residents. Through the regular consumption practices and routines to the wet markets, a sense of community to the neighbourhood can be developed and consolidated overtime as residents get familiar with one another and forge friendships. To other residents, their sense of belonging to the neighbourhood is also associated with nostalgic memories of the wet markets. I also highlight some tensions experienced by some groups of the community in the wet markets which can affect the importance of wet markets as important places in the neighbourhood that can foster their sense of belong to the community.