Utilitarian heritage : the panopticon of narratives behind industrial heritage conservation in Singapore

Abstract

It remains a contention as to whether Eurocentric conservation practices are appropriate for use beyond the Western world. This issue is also pertinent to industrial heritage as the concept originates from the Old Industrialised Countries (OICs), notably the forerunners of the Industrial Revolution (e.g. UK, Belgium, etc.). Besides scant inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this Western endeavour rarely extends beyond the OICs. This is concerning as the Asia-Pacific region is home to a number of these cultural assets, but many are at stake given rapid urban development. Rather than emulate Western practices, a non-Eurocentric approach is crucial to conserving Asia’s unique industrial heritage. Many Asian cities have jumped onto the bandwagon in conserving Modern architecture lately. Notwithstanding, Singapore’s industrial heritage remains severely under-represented despite its relative success in built heritage conservation. Using Jurong Town Hall and St James Power Station as case studies, the thesis demonstrates how conservation is increasingly inseparable from memory politics. Besides, it reveals the interplay of the Authorised Heritage Discourse and politico-economic factors in driving industrial heritage conservation in Singapore today. As heritage interpretation bridges the gap between conservation and placemaking, the thesis calls for a more comprehensive, holistic and democratic strategy that reveals the multi-layered industrial history of Singapore. Industrial sites and their associative landscapes are social by nature. As places for “live, work, play,” the thesis accentuates the need to honour the “heartware” and their bottom-up narratives, through which countries can script more inclusive national identities. Finally, the thesis discusses the significance of conserving industrial heritage, justifying how the industrial past can be immensely “powerful” for young nations to legitimise their authorized narratives, and why it supports placemaking beyond multiculturalism in Singapore. Interweaving these elements, the thesis demonstrates why conservation is an art of transforming history into an aide de memoir; as a pedagogical tool, guides the present and future generations in their conduct and decisions.