EMERGENCE IN A �PLANNED � CITY: LOOKING AT LITTLE INDIA VIA TIME

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation is to appreciate the dynamics of emergence activities and how planning could fall back to a control and supporting role under such occurrence. The dissertation does not dismiss “planning” due to its limitations but suspect the merits of the emergence that would return the Asian streets character. Rem Koolhaas wrote about the lack of “quality” in the Singapore streets as they are traded for efficiency and standardization in planning. The scope of study is sited at Little India in Singapore because it is particularly rare for a city, whose major directions are along urban efficiency and well-defined functional spaces, be seen supporting such arbitrary emergences. There are 3 distinct groups of people patronizing Little India at different times of the day with their own unique agenda. Using time as a chronological ordering device, with an empirical approach, the dissertation looks at spatial dynamics and the temporal nature of the place that is affected by these users. Understanding this “handing” and “taking” over of space via time, it establishes an appreciation of the problems of this contested landscape. Time spices up the character of Little India with an inter-mix of temporary and permanent activities which then translate into physical urban spaces and events. Lastly, INDIANs1 who have a totally independent concept of urban spaces create bottom-up activities compared to the TOURISTs and LOCALs whom are more conforming and predictable as planned. How could this appreciation be important for her future streets? Or can such “quality” as proposed by Koolhaas be created by planning?