Problem:
The political economy approach holds the assumption that capitalist interests put cities in intense competition with each other to vie for scarce resources (such as the use of physical spaces) to further growth and development. Inevitably, governments often must consider long- term implications of their decisions to strive for equitable outcomes. Such trade-offs involve the navigation of resource allocation with foresight and integrity.
In land scarce Singapore, there is always the tension between needing land for development and conserving spaces. In the same vein, are all physical space conflicts so readily managed or avoided? Are there subliminal tensions that are not even acknowledged? Such urban spatial conflicts reflect misaligned value systems in society about what matters.
Identify one physical space in Singapore that was sacrificed for urban development and economic growth in Singapore. The chosen physical space can be one related to heritage, sports, leisure, lifestyle, culture, among others. the essay must cover the following:
- Use the political economy approach to examine the Singapore's government decision to sacrifice the chosen physical space.
- Apply the determinist theory of urbanism to critically analyse the socio-cultural implications of such a trade-off on the affected group(s) in Singapore's society.