PLACE IDENTITY OF CHINATOWN: SINGAPOREANS' PERCEPTION

Abstract

Similar to many contemporary cities, Chinatown is facing an issue in integrating globalization, urban sustainability and place identity. Despite the importance of place identity in sustaining the place’s attractiveness and likeability, Chinatown is seen to be losing the sense of place to Singaporeans. This dissertation aims to better understand the citizens’ perceptions and attitudes of Chinatown’s identity together with their evaluation factors for place identity. Although all factors play a role in shaping identity of Chinatown, their extent of influence differs and they are inter-related and dependent of each other. From this study, it was concluded that Chinatown is not losing its identity but its origin. Its identity was largely preserved by historic architectures, Chinese New Year, unique cultural products, living heritage, memories, experience and purpose of visit, which were closely associated to Chinatown by the matured generations. However, it was not the case for the younger generation as they disregarded the history and meanings of Chinatown. Hence, there is a possibility that Chinatown would lose its significance and identity if the perceptions of the younger population are neglected.