Options
Managing monuments & appraising attitudes : Singapore's Preservation of Monuments Board (1958-1992)
Author
Tan, Alvin Peng Hong
Supervisor
Blackburn, Kevin
Abstract
The Preservation of Monuments Board (PMB) was established in 1970 via an Act of Parliament. The purpose of the PMB was to identify, gazette and facilitate the preservation of buildings designated as national monuments. Its tasks were manifold, ranging from stimulating public interest and awareness to property management as well as legal enforcement.
This thesis traces the history of the PMB over thirty-four years from its long gestation (1958 onwards) to its establishment (1970) up till the point it sought to re-define and reorient itself in a drastically changed operating environment (1992). It traces the forces that led to its foundation and seeks to account for the PMB's lack of achievement and institutional presence via the critical examination of its organizational structure, its powers as well as case studies that demonstrate how the PMB was ill-equipped and inadequately staffed to deal with its monumental tasks. These case studies include the Old Thong Chai building, the Siong Lim Temple and the Sam Mui Kuang Pottery Works, among others.
The extant mentalities and attitudes as well as the operating dynamics that the PMB had to deal with and manage are also accounted for. How did the PMB interact with other state agencies, in particular the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Ministry of National Development? Was the PMS effective in execising its powers? More importantly, how effective was it in reconciling its work with the priorities accorded to development?
The findings presented are based on research done on the Government of Colony of Singapore, Ministry of Culture and PMB files held at the National Archives of Singapore. Where necessary and to obtain a fuller picture, a number of oral history recordings of key personalities have been consulted as well as conducted whenever possible. Secondary literature was also consulted to provide an appropriate conceptual framework for the examination of issues.
This thesis traces the history of the PMB over thirty-four years from its long gestation (1958 onwards) to its establishment (1970) up till the point it sought to re-define and reorient itself in a drastically changed operating environment (1992). It traces the forces that led to its foundation and seeks to account for the PMB's lack of achievement and institutional presence via the critical examination of its organizational structure, its powers as well as case studies that demonstrate how the PMB was ill-equipped and inadequately staffed to deal with its monumental tasks. These case studies include the Old Thong Chai building, the Siong Lim Temple and the Sam Mui Kuang Pottery Works, among others.
The extant mentalities and attitudes as well as the operating dynamics that the PMB had to deal with and manage are also accounted for. How did the PMB interact with other state agencies, in particular the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Ministry of National Development? Was the PMS effective in execising its powers? More importantly, how effective was it in reconciling its work with the priorities accorded to development?
The findings presented are based on research done on the Government of Colony of Singapore, Ministry of Culture and PMB files held at the National Archives of Singapore. Where necessary and to obtain a fuller picture, a number of oral history recordings of key personalities have been consulted as well as conducted whenever possible. Secondary literature was also consulted to provide an appropriate conceptual framework for the examination of issues.
Date Issued
2010
Call Number
DS609.3 Tan
Date Submitted
2010