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Landscape modernisation : land use change in the Jurong Industrial Area
Author
Yap, Adriel Lian Ho
Supervisor
Wong, Tai-Chee
Abstract
This thesis examines how economic development has the landscape of Singapore, with particular reference to the Jurong Industrial Area where land (re)development since 1960 is a direct result of economic policy decisions made by the People's Action Party government. The PAP, formed by a strategic alliance of middle-class English-educated professionals with a group of leftist activists, was elected into government in 1959. However a divergence in political and economic philosophy led to a breakdown of the alliance in the early 1960s. The PAP's pro-capitalist approach prevailed and paved the way for an export-led economy.
Aided by international organisations (the World Bank and the United Nations) and their experts, the PAP government's credibility and legitimacy has been built on its ability to solve unemployment and housing shortage problems. Numerous jobs were created through industrialisation and the large influx of foreign capital investment. Active government involvement in the provision of infrastructure and an environment favourable to foreign investment has witnessed the building estates, the largest being Jurong.
Land use planning and development in Singapore is intimately connected with the government's economic and political programme. Most industrial land development is undertaken by the state with a high level of co-ordination and co-operation between the key government agencies responsible for economic and industrial development, trade, communications, transport, housing, urban redevelopment, education and defence ,and are integrated into an overall Concept Plan. The long tenure of the PAP and senior civil servants has resulted in a small 'planning elite' who develop and implement long-term programmes.
The development of industrial estates in Singapore was the responsibility of the EDB from 1961-1968 and the JTC since 1968. Over the past four decades, the flora and fauna that once existed in Jurong has been replaced by a man-made industrial landscape. As Singapore develops itself into a knowledge-based economy, business parks, as a future form of industrial development, are being built. The issue of land scarcity is addressed through a programme of land scarcity is addressed through a programme of land intensification (IP21) and the exporting of less lucrative labour-intensive industries to neighbouring countries.
Ultimately the way land is used in Singapore is shaped by the political ideology adopted by the government that places economic growth as the principal goal of development. Singapore's economic success owes much to the PAP's tenacity in creating and cultivating an environment favourable to international capital. By so doing it has positioned itself to match the operation of the world economic system. However this position can only be maintained if issues pertaining to the social an ecological sustainability of Singapore is also taken into account when formulating the economic and land use policies that will take Singapore into the next century.
Aided by international organisations (the World Bank and the United Nations) and their experts, the PAP government's credibility and legitimacy has been built on its ability to solve unemployment and housing shortage problems. Numerous jobs were created through industrialisation and the large influx of foreign capital investment. Active government involvement in the provision of infrastructure and an environment favourable to foreign investment has witnessed the building estates, the largest being Jurong.
Land use planning and development in Singapore is intimately connected with the government's economic and political programme. Most industrial land development is undertaken by the state with a high level of co-ordination and co-operation between the key government agencies responsible for economic and industrial development, trade, communications, transport, housing, urban redevelopment, education and defence ,and are integrated into an overall Concept Plan. The long tenure of the PAP and senior civil servants has resulted in a small 'planning elite' who develop and implement long-term programmes.
The development of industrial estates in Singapore was the responsibility of the EDB from 1961-1968 and the JTC since 1968. Over the past four decades, the flora and fauna that once existed in Jurong has been replaced by a man-made industrial landscape. As Singapore develops itself into a knowledge-based economy, business parks, as a future form of industrial development, are being built. The issue of land scarcity is addressed through a programme of land scarcity is addressed through a programme of land intensification (IP21) and the exporting of less lucrative labour-intensive industries to neighbouring countries.
Ultimately the way land is used in Singapore is shaped by the political ideology adopted by the government that places economic growth as the principal goal of development. Singapore's economic success owes much to the PAP's tenacity in creating and cultivating an environment favourable to international capital. By so doing it has positioned itself to match the operation of the world economic system. However this position can only be maintained if issues pertaining to the social an ecological sustainability of Singapore is also taken into account when formulating the economic and land use policies that will take Singapore into the next century.
Date Issued
1999
Call Number
HT169.S55 Yap
Date Submitted
1999