Well as the result of such a view point, even 'restoring' historic sections of our estate has often result in the 'loss' of culture. For example is clarke quay and the likes of china town..during my time I still remember it as a place where you could find charcoal sellers , joss stick makers and even a few people plying the singapore river with commodities.
Now..look at it. It's simply a place for tourists, consumer goods and very cheap paint jobs. The character of the place is gone, the people are gone. Yes I know change marches on, but I feel we're losing our national identity without even bothering looking how to integrate with our need to progress.
I happen to live in one of the few remaining areas somewhat untouched by this development, Joo chiat. However, more and more developers are enroaching into this untouched area. Already the humble coffeeshops are being replaced by franchises, and boutiques are popping up in the surrounding area.
To the authorities, the place is getting 'preserved'. To me, it's just an empty shell.
Soon, everything I remember from my childhood, esp fond memories of 9am half boiled eggs and kaya toast by the small coffeeshop by the drainside will be all gone in a matter of a few years, since my area is turning into a yuppie hide away. That's one reason why I tell my friends there's nothing left for me back home, cause nobody is bothering to preserve what I hold dear: my past.
Already singapore is beginning more like an alien landscape than home..
