Childhood Landscape: Sustainability Issue in Singapore

This assignment discusses the cultural sustainability issue in Singapore's childhood landscape. It explores the past vs present scenario, analyzes the changes in cultural heritage sites, and suggests eco-development to support long-term sustainability. The document type is an essay, and the type of assignment is a sustainability issue. The subject is not mentioned, and the course code, course name, and college/university are not specified.

Running Head: SCIENCE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Topic- Childhood landscape: sustainability issue
Student name
University name
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For this Childhood Landscape assignment, I have chosen the city Singapore as the city
has a special place in my heart. I was born in Singapore and spend some time of my childhood
there before shifting to Canada. The city has experienced some of the drastic changes in recent
past in respect of planet biodiversity sustainability, community and people changes in regard to
socio-economic and environmental aspects, economic prospects focusing on industries and
businesses and also on cultural policies and historical significances (Soini and Birkeland 2014).
But among all these I am going to discuss about the cultural sustainability of Singapore in this
assignment and the issue is interpreted from changes based on past-present climax.
Past vs present
Well, Singapore the island city state off south Malaysia, is well known for its business
opportunities and cultural richness full of vibrant lifestyles of people (Tan and Tan 2014). Sky
touching skylarks and skylines are most striking features of the city. But its remote past was
totally different from what it is today. Though, personally I was not there at the time of
Singapore’s emergence as a city to experience changes but have learned from my previous
generations and have myself felt the change to some extent.
Singapore was previously under British colonial rule and was called British Colony of
Singapore. In 1819 a trading port was established to carry out naval trade with other countries.
But a lot of social unrest and disputes caused delay in modernization but it somehow managed to
be a part of globalization and its strong international
trading accelerated its growth as well supported its
multicultural population (Tan and Tan 2014). Preserving
cultural heritage sites was not much emphasized in the
past but situation has changed in present after huge

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infrastructural developments. The picture provided above will help in easy understanding of the
cultural influx in Singapore. But this influx was limited to trade and business purposes only.
Historical significance of Singapore was quite noteworthy and is still trying to sustain its rich
cultural heritage from decent past.
At present Singapore is one of the most culturally
vibrant cities across the globe. Its arts, artifacts, places,
historically significant places all contribute to its
worldwide popularity. Ecotourism and cultural tourism
have developed over the years and Singapore is well-
balancing both its rich heritage of the past on one hand
and also supporting business and infrastructural development in present (Zhong and Wu 2015).
Its famous skylarks are even designed in the shape of Feng Shui. This shows the rich cultural
background of Singapore shown in the figure here.
Analysis
In order to analyze the past vs present theme of Singapore I would like to share my
experience of its Botanic Garden which has recently been honored as the UN’s Heritage place.
When I was a kid, I used to go there for recreational purposes but presently when I visit the
place, I can sense the major cultural shifts in Botanic gardens. A more systematic approach is
mandated and number of tourist footfalls have increased manifold. Management has become
much stronger and increased tourist count has increased chances of urban tourism in Singapore.
People of various races and social backgrounds come to visit this UN heritage site almost all
through the year, previously summer and winter vacations were peak seasons for tourist visit but
situation has changed now (Tan and Tan 2014). Indigenous Singaporeans also come to Botanic

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gardens to spend quality times away from the hustles of the city. Cultural sustainability need has
increased after heritage site declaration and issues have also increased due to increased business
development in Singapore. Botanic gardens provide a true and enriched taste of nature which is
gradually lacking in Singapore. In order to mitigate the issue of eco-cultural sustainability issue
eco-development is supported holistically and focus on vertical gardens, roof gardens etc. are
emphasized to support its rich cultural heritage and support long term sustainability in future in
spite of increased degree of development and business success (Wu, Fan and Chen 2016). Also
preserving its rich heritage in terms of language, beliefs, customs and ethical values have not
changed in spite of huge development in infrastructural prospects and business contexts.

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References
Soini, K. and Birkeland, I., 2014. Exploring the scientific discourse on cultural
sustainability. Geoforum, 51, pp.213-223.
Tan, C. and Tan, C.S., 2014. Fostering social cohesion and cultural sustainability: Character and
citizenship education in Singapore. Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education, 8(4), pp.191-
206.
Wu, S.R., Fan, P. and Chen, J., 2016. Incorporating culture into sustainable development: A
cultural sustainability index framework for green buildings. Sustainable Development, 24(1),
pp.64-76.
Zhong, Y. and Wu, P., 2015. Economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and
constructability indicators related to concrete-and steel-projects. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 108, pp.748-756.