Chinatown, Singapore
Social Impact: The long, narrow streets of Chinatown are
like a pipe waiting to burst due to too much pressure of the water flowing
through it. Despite the congestion, the sometimes unsanitary conditions that
fall short of the usual living conditions in Singapore, many Chinese and
tourists still go to Chinatown. The possibility of your belongings stolen or being
a crime victim doesn’t seem to deter the large crowds from going to Chinatown (then
again, the crime rate is low). I’ve noticed many old people, about 40 below,
usually around 50 to 60 years of age, frequenting Chinatown, implying that the
older adults of Singapore are more appreciative of their roots and culture than
the younger generation. Due to advancements in technology that brought about
globalisation, people from the information technology age will not think that
their roots are very important. About 75% of the population in Singapore is
Chinese. Chinatown will hence not see such a large crowd milling the streets,
and will not ever have such lucrative business as it has now.
Economic Impact: As less people will buy
more culturally-related goods, Chinatown, the largest historic district, tourism
site and where much trade takes place, will eventually become a place that is
just taking too much space that could be used for the construction of more
homes. The decrease in trade will also spell bad news for Singapore’s economy.
More businesses will move to other places for better demand. Fewer tourists
will visit the district.
Cultural: Like I mentioned before, more people are being
influenced by globalisation, especially Singapore, what with the influx of
immigrants from many countries of different cultures around the world. As
Chinatown becomes precariously balanced on the edge of non-existence, a large
part of Singapore’s Chinese culture will, as time progresses, is lost.
Chinatown, being the integral bridge where people of the younger generations
can connect with their culture, will disintegrate. The emphasis on the
importance of the Chinese language will also significantly lessen as well.
Technology/ Transport Impact: Many vehicles are allowed to
drive through crowds and are parked in inconvenient places that are not
suitable for immobile, large objects. In a bid to maintain an “authenticity” of
Chinatown, many shop houses line the roads and there is much overcrowding that
leads to poor conditions. Chinatown doesn’t look like it has been largely
influenced by the advent of technology. Rather, it seems like an isolated
island from China smack in west of the Singapore River. I think that proper
parking spaces, larger areas where people can shop, can be made possible if
Chinatown is able to embrace technology and have a strong culture at the same
time.
Race Impact: There is not much discrimination between
different races, so I don’t see how race can be impacted.
Religion Impact: Religion, despite the explosiveness and awesomeness
of science and technology, it has survived. People still believe in worshipping
a higher super power that has powers that can influence the universe. So
religion stays. It has always.
Media: Chinatown will become a preservation site of the
government where it will become something like botanical gardens: sightseeing
will be the main activity. There will be occasional columns of people reminiscing
the old days of Chinatown and how everybody should embrace our culture again
instead of the computer.
