Urban Constraints, Political Imperatives: Environmental 'Design' in Singapore

• Main Authors: Savage, Victor R., Kong, Lily
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 1993
• Subjects: Asian Studies; Politics and Social Change; Urban Studies; Urban Studies and Planning
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1726; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/2983/viewcontent/Konglily_1993_URBAN_CONSTRAINTS.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

What lies at the heart of the continuing efforts at social education and engineering? We argue that they stem from a political elite which recognises the constraints facing Singapore and the need to deal with them at national level. Specifically, the government in Singapore has recognised the spatial constraints of an island-state and the dangers of a burgeoning population, particularly in relation to the need to sustain a viable urban ecosystem. They have therefore been conscientious in planning and population control. They have also stressed the importance of remaining economically viable in order to survive and an entire survival and excellence ethos has been inculcated in Singaporeans. This has been translated in urban planning and environmental management terms to mean creating and sustaining a city of excellence which is at the same time a model environment city. Above all, they have attempted to inculcate in Singaporeans a communitarian ideology that emphasises Asian notions of nation before community and society above self. It is hoped that such an ideology would, amongst other things, prevent a tragedy of the commons situation.