shame on 'them'

Kudos to this Singaporean..and i believe many also, for expressing their discontentment about the 'brilliant' decision by URA. NHB is clearly still sleeping.


STRAITS TIMES
June 30, 2008

Shame 7th Storey hotel must make way for MRT

I MUST express my disappointment at the imminent demolition of the New 7th Storey Hotel in Rochor Road to make way for a Downtown Line MRT station.
It seems another noteworthy building in the history of Singapore is being sacrificed in the name of progress.

With all the advances in building technology (there is even an MRT station built under a huge canal in Chinatown), it is hard to understand why this is the only way to resolve the situation.

To the layman, it seems that the authorities think demolishing the hotel is the cheapest and most convenient way to remove a thorn in the flesh via land acquisition.

In comparison, other countries have tried and succeeded in merging new and existing buildings with tactful architecture intervention.

The New 7th Storey Hotel demolition is another painful reminder of similar acts by the authorities.

The most recent example is the demolition of the red-brick National Library building in Stamford Road. Another, already fading in our memories, is the beloved former National Theatre, just a few streets away.

I hope the Government remembers that the collective historical memory of Singapore belongs to the nation, and its people, and must be treated with respect.

Architectural history is an important component in the fabric of the people's memory, and these threads should not be torn down in the name of progress.

Is it any wonder that increasing numbers of young Singaporeans find it hard to sink roots here and choose to move abroad?

It is also in the nation's interest that the Urban Redevelopment Authority, National Heritage Board and other authorities comment on this.


Yan Dawei


Why is history not valued in Singapore? Is modernization means westernization and uprooting our roots? ISnt it making us superficial? and truely, i find Singapore and many Singaporean VERY low in their tolerance level. Anything standing in front of them become a 'thorn in the flesh' quickily.

Clearly, the meaning of 'embracing' and 'harmony' is NOT in many of us and certainly absence in the Govt bodies. Why must we everytime trying to 'destory', 'remove' and not living 'within', 'accepting' ? overcoming doesnt mean we behave like a rhino where we destory everything in our path. Why must we 'conqure' and not live in harmony?

just like the Great US, landing on moon means 'conquring moon'. Does it mean the pest fly landing on your dining table means it has 'conqured' your dining table?

haiz.