Singapore’s changing spaces

This paper interrogates the socio-spatial environment that is emerging in Singapore with its development of a globalised economy. Using the case studies of two of the city’s dichotomised spaces – the spectacular downtown and gentrified heartland – the paper seeks to examine the resulting spatial reconfigurations, challenges and unintended consequences. While the common assertion is that state-led planning is effective at the macro level, at the micro level against the accelerated change and emergence of the multi-layered package of spaces of globalisation, the planning of the city is no longer limited to physical planning. Like many emergent economies of the global south, the challenge of how to expand emerging sectors, support Singapore’s economic aspirations and meet social objectives remains.

Research highlights► Singapore offers opportunity for the study of local change linked to globalization. ► Singapore’s rise as a global city is bringing spatial changes and socio-economic dualism and dichotomies to the city. ► Restructuring Singapore with the same set of global urban redevelopment practices is invoking a new valorisation dynamic in cityness, consumption and local communities.