How identity has been promoted in Chinatown.

street stalls

  However, the government did put in some measures to promote identity as well. The Urban Redevelopment Authority in the 1980s planned to preserve buildings as a 'built heritage' aiming to preserve what is left of the architecture and atmosphere of the area. In the late 90s, the Singapore Tourism Board came up with a plan to revitalise the area with Chinese-themed streets. Those that are preserved as a built heritage would be shophouses and street stalls. 


Chinatown still retains a predominantly Chinese character despite the coexistence of other races. Some evidence from the site are: 
1. advertisements, posters at Chinatown MRT mostly in Chinese
2. shops sell mostly things catered towards Chinese like Chinese accessories, clothings, antiques, food, furniture and ornaments            
3. chinese decorations along streets eg. lanterns

ornaments, antiques

Food Street

The Singaporean Tourism Board had organised Food Street, Bazaar Street, Festive Street and Tradition Street in the 1980s. Food Street is still being organised till today in Smith Street. It aims to add life to the area. However, the rest of the events were either cancelled or modified as it was still not the old chinatown that Singaporeans wanted to see. Tradition Street has been modified to night markets while the other two events were cancelled. 


Also, the Chinatown Heritage Centre in Pagoda Street was set up as part of the government's efforts to showcase the lives and original interiors of shophouses to relive the past and allow visitors to understand our cultural and traditional lives. This can remind and educate us of the old chinatown so that we will not forget it's true and most original identity.