MUSTAFA : AN URBAN LEGEND - INVESTIGATION OF THE URBAN PHENOMENON AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EVERYDAY CONSUMPTION AND URBAN SPACE

Abstract

Singapore exports almost everything it produces, and likewise imports almost everything Singaporeans consume. In the condition of the globalization of commodity distribution and consumption, consumption spaces are often perceived as only as site of exchanges of goods and services. Contrary to such belief, this paper believes that as consumption spaces stands at the intersection of the different sphere of the everyday life: between public and private, the individual and the community, the society and the city, and it is hypothesized that consumption spaces do take on multiple facets and roles, in terms of economic, social and cultural exchanges. These consumption spaces, being integral to our daily lives are read as active ingredients in the making of a place, constructing subjectivity and social selfhood, the fusion of a local community or traditions and contributing to a coherent piece of urban fabric. It is thus for this paper to investigate and re-examine the mutual and dynamic relationship between everyday consumption space and the urban realm. The premise of the investigation would be Mustafa Centre in Little India, which would form the “subject” for discussion throughout this paper. The interest of the research underpins the local legendary phenomenon of Mustafa; a collection of to-be proven stories related to city and urban life handed down by traditions from earlier time and popularly accepted as ‘historical’. While using Mustafa to validate the relationship between consumption space and urban life, its value of locality, contributions and implications to the urban realm would be the primary focus. It is also necessary for the “subject” to be examined to three perspectives; social, economic and physical dimensions, and in three levels; urban, architecture and human scales. Keywords: Urban Legend, Everyday, local, Consumption space, Department store