A recent visit to Singapore shows how this city state developed into a wealthy country, with incredible architecture all around.
PHOTO 1: A Singaporean flag proudly displayed from the balcony of an apartment that forms part of the colourful Rocher Centre apartment complex. These apartment blocks are painted in pink, green or red and are unmistakable landmarks on the outskirts of downtown Singapore. It may be easy to be fooled by the beautiful exterior of the buildings, however, the whole Rocher Centre was scheduled for demolition back in 2016 predominantly due to the neglect and lack of restoration the building suffered as it is the home of the less affluent citizens of this mega-rich city. Demolition finally began in June 2018 and the iconic landmark will give way to a new highway. PHOTO: Casey Delport
PHOTO 2: A view from the back of the Rocher Centre. Apartments are small and crammed on top of each other to satisfy the demand for the affordable housing the city generally lacks. “These apartments were once my home but when they originally started planning the demolition me and my parents moved out, it’s sad and ironic isn’t it that development can be so incredibly destructive,” said Eva (19) a second-year art student at the LASELLE College of Art in Singapore. PHOTO: Casey Delport
PHOTO 3: A street view from the Rocher Centre and other purpose-built colourful low-cost housing. The demand for these low-cost apartment complexes have shot up as Singapore’s population continues to grow dramatically thanks to the large influx of (non-Asian) immigrants. PHOTO: Casey Delport
PHOTO 4: A street view of a new skyscraper being built next one of many hawker centres in “Chinatown”.The influence and extent to Chinese Singaporeans is evident. Chinese speaking residents now make up most of the population (74.3%) with the Malay (13%) and Indian (9%) minorities pushed to the peripheries. “We realise that the Malay and Indian communities are not properly represented and that’s what we also try to do here is give all people of Singapore a voice. We can only do it through books, but at least it’s a voice,” said Kenny Leck owner of the independent bookstore (BooksActually) and Printing company (Math Paper Press) in Tiong Bahru, Singapore. PHOTO: Casey Delport
PHOTO 5: The office building for one of the countless Chinese-Singaporean mega corporations. These large skyscrapers are visible not only in “Chinatown” but are abundant practically around the entire island. PHOTO: Casey Delport
PHOTO 6: One of many shipyards scattered along the coast of Singapore that has with the help of Chinese investment pushed Singapore to be a trading hub. This continued strong relationship between Singapore and China has had positive outcomes for the rather small island nation. Trade agreements between the two nations have been largely mutually beneficial and have helped shape Singapore as one of the frontrunners as a trade haven with the rest of the Asian continent. PHOTO: Casey Delport
PHOTO 7-8: One area on which the thriving Singaporean economy has spent big is the incredible architecture as can be seen here with the flower inspired architecture of the Science-Art Museum (PHOTO 7) or the jaw jobbing botanical domes found at Marina Bay which also houses the largest indoor waterfall and flora from across the world (PHOTO 8). PHOTO: Casey Delport
PHOTO 8
*This story has been edited for clarity.