Tuesday 19 March 2013

China Town, Singapore


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.