EVALUATING CONSERVED HISTORIC DISTRICTS: LITTLE INDIA AND KAMPONG GLAM

Abstract

Since conservation efforts took shape in Singapore in the mid-1980s, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the conservation authority, has been committed towards conserving physical remnants from the past despite the high commercial and residential demand for physical space in the tiny city-state of Singapore. However, in the modern framework of Singapore's development, challenges posed to conserve ethic-based historic districts will always be present in land scarce Singapore. This study seeks to evaluate the success of conserved historic districts in Singapore. Two case studies, Little India and Kampong Glam, will be studied to ? v- - - ~ assess and evaluate conservation efforts put in so far by URA. A comparison between the two is made during analysis and recommendations for improvements are made at the end of the study. Differences are observed in the opinions towards the two historic districts and there is also a divergence of views between the two samples interviewed (the residents and non-residents of Singapore) due to different needs and hence different expectations. Respondents generally liked the newly refurbished shophouses in both the districts. Majority of the respondents felt that the conservation was a success and reasons given were similar for both the districts. Invaluable suggestions to improve the district could be seriously considered and implemented and mistakes made should be rectified along with the amendment of policies and strategies so as to ensure the fulfilment of the original intentions of conservation.