Urban conservation policy and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage: The case of Singapore

In cities experiencing rapid economic growth, historic districts with rich cultural heritage are often demolished and replaced by modern high-rise buildings. This article shows the success of Singapore's urban conservation policy in preserving its historic districts in the face of a fast expanding economy and rapid urban development. A survey in the conservation areas shows that the policy has succeeded in preserving the historic old shophouses to a large extent. An analysis of the use of shophouses shows that the policy has also succeeded in retaining the activities which reflect the community life in the core areas of Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India. This is because the policy allows for the operation of market forces which makes preservation and restoration of the old shophouses viable.