Singapore

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Singapore

Sources

http://www.timsaxon.co.uk/img/singapore-map002.gif

History

Formerly known as Temasek or sea town, Singapore began as a small trading post established by Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company in 1819. In 1826 Singapore, Malacca and Penang became the British colony of the Straits Settlements. In 1832 Singapore became the capital of the settlements. As a result, the port city attracted many migrants, traders and merchants from China, India and other parts of Asia.

The Suez Canal opened in 1869. The arrival of steamships began an era of success for Singapore as the trade expanded throughout Southeast Asia. The packaging industry’s need for tin and rubber helped make Singapore one of the world’s major ports.

In 1921 the British constructed a naval base, which was supplemented by an air base. In February 1942, the Japanese captured the island and remained under their control until 1945. In 1959, Singapore became self-governing and joined newly independent Federation of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya in 1963.

Sources:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-thefco/countryprofiles/asiaoceania/singapore?profile=all

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asiapacific/1148137.stm

http://mjbryan.com/FosbergD/pics/Singapore%20Tourist%20009.jpg

Government & Demographics

Singapore’s success as a city-state can also be attributed to its strong government and its trained, educated workforce.

A strong government is essential to a nation’s success. The Singaporean government, a parliamentary republic modeled after that of Britain, retains tight control over most of the nation’s sectors. Despite this control, the government remains uncorrupted, also contributing to the nation’s success.

Singapore has an estimated population of 4,657,542. The majority of the population is Chinese, of which comprises 76.8%. Unlike most South East Asian cities, residents of Singapore also enjoy one of the world’s highest standards of living, and have a life expectancy of 81.98 years. Singapore’s population is also notably 92.5% literate. A country’s life expectancy and literacy are good indicators of its prosperity and of the quality of life of its citizens.

Singapore’s major industries include manufacturing, financial and business services, and commerce. Its trained, educated workforce provides a pool of quality workers for its major industries. The Worker Development Agency (WDA) focuses on developing workers’ knowledge, skills, and technical competency, which contributes to Singapore’s workforce’s competitive edge over other nations. It provides job placement programs, professional skills programs, and skills upgrading programs, among others.

Sources

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1143240.stm

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/country-profiles/asia-oceania/singapore?profile=all

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sn.html

http://app2.wda.gov.sg/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?Yr=2008&ContId=635

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Singapore_Parliament_House.jpg

Ties With Britain

Singapore’s success as a city-state can be attributed to its British foundations. During the 19th century, Singapore served as Britain’s stronghold in South East Asia. It was the most important trading center in the area, and had grown to become the commercial and financial hub of all of South East Asia.

In 1965, Singapore achieved full independence from Britain. After gaining full independence, the government (led by the People’s Action Party) pursued a program of rapid industrialization, supported by foreign investment, and the training and regulation of the Singapore workforce. These foundations helped Singapore develop its economy into what it is today, a “model of economic development.” Ever since 1965, Singapore has achieved a sound, growing economy, which has averaged a growth of 8% per year.

Singapore remains the UK’s largest trading partner in South East Asia. The UK is also the largest overseas investor in Singapore with 15.1% of total foreign direct investment, and the UK attracts about 78% of all Singaporean investment the in the EU. There are over 22,500 British nationals and about 700 British companies in Singapore as well. The relationship established between Singapore and Britain during the colonial period has clearly remained intact, and has proved mutually beneficial. Singapore’s status as one of Asia’s economic “tigers” may not have been possible without these crucial ties to the UK.

The picture is when the Queen visited Singapore in 2006

Sources

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asiapacific/country_profiles/1143240.stm

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-thefco/countryprofiles/asiaoceania/singapore?profile=all

http://www.stomp.com.sg/talkback/images/1229_tb_bestshots16.jpg

Globalization

Globalization has allowed for barier of distance to be overcome and remaining man-made barriers to be lowered or removed in the exchange of goods and ideas. Technology has advanced the interconnectedness and interdependence of the countries of the world. The Globalization Index examines trade, business, politics, and information technology to determine the rankings of 62 countries that account for 96% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 85% of the world’s population. Singapore as of 2006 ranked number 1 in the index.

Singapore's globalisation is based on high growth and encouraging foreigners to work and settle in their country.

According to the Globalization Index Singapores government has worked hard to attract the rich to the "most globalized country." Singapore accomplished this when they revised their tax laws in 2004 to attract billionaires from India and Hong Kong. Only 4 billionaires are actually from Singapore, but dozens of others now have their money in Singapore.

Sources:

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/about/

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=8313

http://www.dnaindia.com/opinion/comment_singapore-s-ageing-dilemma_1081329

http://educononline.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/singapore-educational-consultants-global-300x300.jpg

E-commerce

Since Singapore acts as a major hub for trading, manufacturing, and services they are poised to affected by the global development of e-commerce. E-commerce allows for integration of supply chain partners, customers, and expanding the market out reach and with Singapore’s economy largely dependent on foreign markets e-commerce will increase Singapore’s globalization.

E-commerce in Singapore is still very much in a very young development stage, but Singapore does not lag far behind other leading countries. As of 2000 10% of Singapore’s top companies were engaging in e-commerce activities which a year before in 1999 was only at 4%.

The roots of e-commerce in Singapore can be traced to the early 1980s when the government has played an large role in

development of the Infocomm industry with policy promoting Infocomm usage in businesses and households. In 1992 the Intelligent Island Vision released by the National Computer Board laid the foundation for island-wide broadband national information infrastructure. The Electronic Commerce Hotbed Program was introduced in 1996 to develop the e-commerce legal and technical infrastructure as well as e-commerce services. Finally in 1998 the Electronic

Commerce Master Plan was developed. This plan was to make Singapore an international e-commerce hub by building on its existing globalization strengths in trade, financial services, telecommunications and IT services.

Sources

http://www.crito.uci.edu/pubs/2004/Singapore_GECIII.pdf

http://thm-a04.yimg.com/image/193ce9099c9e172a

Economy/Trade

East Asia has greatly improved overall offering a variety of commodities. Whereas, in Southeast Asia Singapore is the heart of a major economic growth triangle including Tokyo and Hong Kong mainly because it’s the most urbanized country.

Singapore’s economy is based upon the manufacturing segment, which includes: rubber and other raw materials, electronics, and electrical goods.

Singapore has a small domestic economy and its heavy emphasis on open trade and global connectivity acting as a major hub for trading, manufacturing, and services. The economic growth of this country has traditionally depended on its strategic geographic location and infrastructure.

Sources

http://www.crito.uci.edu/pubs/2004/Singapore_GECIII.pdf

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200804/r240825_976190.jpg

Hays-Mitchell, Maureen, and Donald J. Zeigler. Cities of the World: World Regional Urban Develpment. 4. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2008. Print.

"World City"

Cities in Southeast Asia, they are also diversely populated by traders, merchants, and wide range of travelers from all over. Singapore’s population has a wide range of ethnic backgrounds ranging from Chinese to Malays to Indian.

Approximately 75% of Singapore’s population is Chinese, 15% Malay and 7% Indian. Consequently, Singapore has four official languages English, Mandarin Chinese and Malay. Religion is also very important in Singapore with 51% of the population participating in Buddhism and Taoism, 15% Islam and Christianity and 4% Hinduism.

Sources:

http://economicupdate.singaporerental.com/Singapore-CBD.jpg

A Quick Look At Singapore

Introduction to Singapore

Source- Discovery Channel Documantary via http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVP1GdvD2L4

Urbanization

Singapore is a highly developed city-state in the sub-region of South-east Asia. Land use planning, urban planning, and transportation planning are all strictly controlled and monitored. With a small number of exceptions, all development involving construction requires permission. This modern planning began back in 1819 when Singapore was founded as a British trading post of the East India Company. Singapore has limited land and resources’ so planning was essential for their survival. Urbanization of Singapore has advanced to such an extent that one hundred percent island is classified as urban.

Singapore has a population of about 4 million crammed into an island of merely 647 square kilometers. However, this city’s urban planners have been able to prevent uncontrolled sprawl outwards and have been able to expand upwards. The urban planners have even been able to expand parks and protected areas. This is because they began limiting highway construction, building public transportation networks. Also they started enacting zoning laws that help people live and work in the same areas, which helps limit air pollution by cutting down people’s commutes to work.

A characteristic that separates Singapore from practically the rest of the urbanized world is its housing guidelines. Fully 86% of all Singaporeans live in apartments built by the Ministry of National Development. Over 90% of Singapore inhabitants own their own homes, a rate virtually unparalleled anywhere else. With such widespread home ownership comes more participation in the city’s community affairs.

Sources:

http://www.infoforhealth.org/pr/m16/m16boxes.shtml

http://www.worldbank.org/urban/symposium2007/papers/yuen.pdf

http://z.hubpages.com/u/52053_f520.jpg

New Towns

The development of new towns shows great planning and care in Singapore. There are some residents of Singapore who are not a part of the HDB sky rise living. Developing new towns show great examples of mixed use communities which create a healthier and more enjoyable environment for those who live there. Each new town in Singapore that is developed draws people from the high-density HDB sky rise apartments into more spacious communities that provide jobs, activities, and new mass transit transportation. These communities are also environmentally friendly. Mixed use communities that incorporate residential, open space, commercial, industrial, and road infrastructures are becoming welcoming communities not only in Singapore, but all over the world as well. A good example of a new town in Singapore is the town of Ang Mo Kio which in 1990 had 54,000 housing units which were home to 223,000 residents. Since then, the success of new towns has caused planners to develop more new towns in which Singapore benefits in its economic growth, employment, and maintaining their outstanding housing situation through HDB.

Sources

http://www.pps.org/mixed_use/info/mixed_use_approach

http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-11808.html

Hays-Mitchell, Maureen, and Donald J. Zeigler. Cities of the World: World Regional Urban Develpment. 4. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2008. Print.

Land Reclaimation

Because of its huge success as a country Singapore is finding needs for expansion. Singapore is expanding its island by moving sand from its once hilly inland to the outer banks of the island. Around 1999 the HDB had a need to expand the Changi Airport, as well as Jurong and Pasir Panjang. Singapore has added 33 square kilometers to its landmass, which turns out to be 5% of its total land area. Singapore does not plan to stop there. In just a year, 2010, Singapore will be 820 square kilometers. Although this land reclamation may seem like a good sign of expansion in Singapore it is causing many unfortunate problems. The dredging of sand has ruined surrounding marine life and ecosystems. There are also tensions with neighboring countries such as Indonesia. Singapore is beginning to envelope the islands of Indonesia changing the border in their own favor. Such relations with other countries could end negatively for Singapore.

Sources

http://prevos.net/resume/tuas.htm

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/EG31Ae01.html.

Tunas, Singapore

Housing and Development Board

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) of Singapore has been a huge success since its beginnings in 1960. Within the first 5 years alone it exceeded its own expectations of developing 50,000 flats by reaching 54,000 flats. Before 1960 Singapore had a serious housing crisis with many of its residents living in deplorable slums. HDB took over from the Singapore Improvement Trust in 1960 and quickly became a success with its development plan which proved HDB a credible and solid organization. Today 86% of Singaporeans live in a high-rise HDB flat. HDB became a success in Singapore because it was a sole agency in charge of the public housing situation. They never had to consult with other organizations for their planning and development strategies. It was easier to claim land and use raw materials, as well as, all the manpower they needed. The success is also attributed to the new approach of the design and planning of housing through totality and wholeness of it through one agency. Lastly, the government played a big role in the success of HDB. With the support of the government and created legislation HDB never had obstacles standing in its way to make Singapore a better housed country.

Sources

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10296p.nsf/WPDis/About%20UsA%20Brief%20Background%20-%20HDB's%20Beginnings?OpenDocument&SubMenu=A_Brief_Background

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10297p.nsf/ImageView/SLUMCOLOR/$file/slum.jpg

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10297p.nsf/ImageView/ESTATES/$file/estates.jpg

Hays-Mitchell, Maureen, and Donald J. Zeigler. Cities of the World: World Regional Urban Develpment. 4. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2008. Print.

Result of HDB

Living conditions before HDB