Theming cities, taming places: insights from singapore

This paper explores the ‘thematic development’ of Singapore's Little Historic District and the socio‐spatial effects of this thematic enhancement scheme. Specifically, I argue that when landscapes are ‘themed’, which is often the case in urban tourism planning, places will be ‘tamed’ as a result. This argument is substantiated by the case of Singapore's Little India which was designated a historic district in 1989. I contend that as Little India is redeveloped as an Indian theme district with a mix of modern and traditional activities, it is tamed in three ways. The taming process is exemplified by: (1) a decline in traditional Indian‐owned retail outlets and activities; (2) Little India's conversion into a retail attraction rather a place of residence; and (3) a dimming of its rich Indian cultural identity. The taming of activities, community and identity, I shall show, has also generated vociferous reactions from the grass‐roots which can be described as anything but tame. Indeed, as gross‐roots agencies (comprising merchants and residents) resist the government's development approach, there has been a fundamental rethinking of what Little India means to its people and a re‐evaluation of their communal ties to the place. As a result, a reassertion of Indian identity and community occurs even as Little India is being themed and tamed.