To Keep Or Not To Keep - Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens has been conferred the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Germany, Bonn. The WHC announced the Gardens’ successful inscription on 4 July 2015 at approximately 5.40pm (UTC +08:00). The 21-member Committee unanimously adopted the recommendation by the International Council of Monuments and Sites to inscribe the Gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this was witnessed by representatives of the 191 State Parties to the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

Situated at the heart of the city of Singapore, the site demonstrates the evolution of a British tropical colonial botanic garden that has become a modern world-class scientific institution used for both conservation and education. The cultural landscape includes a rich variety of historic features, plantings and buildings that demonstrate the development of the garden since its creation in 1859. It has been an important centre for science, research and plant conservation, notably in connection with the cultivation of rubber plantations, in Southeast Asia since 1875.

Perspective 1: General Public
"Across the entire world, there are just over 1,000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are exceptional treasures for all of humanity to cherish. Now in our little red dot, we have the honour and privilege of being home to one of these world treasures. It’s something quite remarkable that all of us, as Singaporeans, can be proud of. This is a very special Jubilee Gift for Singapore, and I’m very happy to be able to bring back the good news to share with all Singaporeans!"
- Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Chairman of the Singapore National Commission for UNESCO

The Singapore Botanic Gardens has been awarded the prestigious title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also an accolade that resonates deeply with Singaporeans as we come together to reflect on our heritage, our identity and our place in the world.
It would not have been possible without the collaboration of government agencies, experts, community groups and the public. Their collective efforts have been recognised by the international community, and the successful inscription acknowledges Singapore’s continued commitment to commemorating and preserving our cultural heritage.
The listing of the Singapore Botanic Gardens as a World Heritage Site is especially meaningful as a lasting commemoration of Singapore’s 50th anniversary year.
The preservation of the site is a momentous occasion and many Singaporeans can continue to visit the Gardens for leisure of exercise.

Perspective 2: Rubber Trade Association
Singapore was a major sorting and export centre for rubber from the 1900s to the 1960s, during which the trade picked up and boomed. The Singapore Botanic Gardens played a pivotal role in that growth, as research into the crop allowed the gardens' first scientific director, Sir Henry Nicholas Ridley, to devise a rubber-tapping technique that yielded maximum quantities of latex without destroying the trees.
The gardens' role in plant research and its studies of rubber for cultivation were major factors that earned it the status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the rubber trade declined, its role in Singapore's history has been largely forgotten by the public.
Given the gardens' intricate ties with rubber, the 105-year-old Rubber Trade Association of
Singapore hopes the new status will help boost awareness about rubber's economic
heritage among younger generations of Singaporeans.
By persevering the Gardens, research about rubber and rubber trees can continue and Singapore can continue to develop better rubber cultivation strategies and techniques.

Perspective 3: Tourism Industry
For two years in a row, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has been ranked the top park in Asia by leading United States travel website TripAdvisor. It beat Jingshan Park in Beijing and Japan's Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 2014's TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. Overall, the Singapore Botanic Gardens came in 11th in the world, with Stanley Park in Vancouver ranked No. 1. The ranking was determined through an algorithm that considered the number of ratings and the quality of ratings on a scale of one to five, over a year. TripAdvisor user Suratrichard from Thailand wrote, "It is difficult not to use words like stunning when talking about the marvellous Botanic Gardens of Singapore. As you walk into the gardens, you keep finding more and more beautiful plants which are nearly all clearly labelled." 
In a press statement, Nigel Taylor, director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, said, "This is an encouragement to us as we continue to work towards conserving the living heritage of the gardens for future generations to enjoy." 
The Singapore Botanic Gardens has gained attention from many countries all over the world, since it had become a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. By preserving the Gardens, more tourists will come to Singapore to visit the Gardens an it would be source of income for Singapore's economy. With the preservation of the site, it also ensures that future generations will also be able to appreciate and enjoy the Gardens.

Perspective 4: National Parks Board
The 156-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens of 74 hectares consists of a tropical rainforest, National Orchid Garden, and many other attractions cultivating the rich biodiversity of nature in Singapore.
The 6.2 hectares of rainforest is home to 314 species of flora and gives an indication of the wonderful richness of tropical plants. The Singapore Botanic Gardens' Rain Forest is a national treasure not only for its rich biodiversity, but also because it is part of the original site of the Botanic Gardens founded in 1859. More than 80% of its plant species are rare or endangered not only in the Gardens but also in Singapore. Hence it is critical that these species are conserved within one of the last remaining primary forests of Singapore.
The National Orchid Garden is located on the highest hill in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Three hectares of carefully landscaped slopes provide a setting for over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, with about 600 species and hybrids on display.
By preserving the Gardens, these species of flora and fauna can continue to thrive in Singapore and will not become extinct.

Perspective 5: Heritage Trees Scheme
Majestic mature trees are the natural heritage of Singapore and serve as important green landmarks of our Tropical Garden City. They help to create a sense of permanence and identity to the place we live. It takes decades and in some cases, more than hundreds of years for these trees to mature gracefully in our landscape. As Singapore progresses, there is a danger of losing these mature trees. In view of this concern, the Heritage Trees Scheme was announced on 17 Aug 2001 with the objectives to conserve and to educate the community on the importance of protecting our mature trees.
In support of this initiative, a Heritage Trees Fund was established by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), with an initial donation of $125,000. The Fund is used to implement a conservation programme to safeguard our Heritage Trees and to promote appreciation of our natural heritage. Some of these programme initiatives include installation of lightning conductors, interpretive signages, and putting in place a nomination scheme for the community.
By preserving the Gardens, these heritage trees can be conserved. They do not need to be cut down and replanted, which would take many to decades to mature again.

Overall Perspective
There are many different perspectives to consider when making the decision of the preservation of heritage sites. I feel that the preservation of the Singapore Botanic Gardens as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is beneficial to Singapore as it conserves our national identity.

To keep or not to keep

About preservation of sites and Monuments (from National Heritage Board)

Over the past years, many historical buildings have been demolished, mostly in the name of urban development.

From tripadvisor. 

However, there is a site that if i may, I would wish to go into further detail about.
Above is a picture of the interior of a dragon kiln situated at Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle, located at 85 Lor Tawas near Jurong Eco-Garden and NTU's Cleantech Park.

Due to the Dragon Kiln's close proximity to the Eco-Garden and NTU Cleantech Park, there is always the possibility that the kiln will have to be demolished to make way for the park. 

There are many perspectives to view its impending death, of course. The last two remaining dragon kilns in Singapore, one located at Thow Kwang and the other at Focus Ceramics Services will have new tenancies for an initial term of two years. This will be renewable for another two terms of three years each. (UPDATE: Thow Kwang's lease has another 9 years from 2014) 

The source is a Straits Times article from 2013, so this year would've marked the end of their initial terms. And this would mean that the future of these dragon kilns would remain uncertain.

There are many perspectives to see this from. 

And personally, I'd want to see the dragon kiln preserved. 

The perspectives of Mr Tan Teck Yoke, whose family has passed on the business of Thow Kwang and is the current owner of the dragon kiln, will largely differ from that of an LTA or URA or even CleanTech developer. 

Mr Tan Teck Yoke wishes to preserve the dragon kiln, as it has significant value to Singapore's history -- it manufactured latex cups for rubber plantations in the 60s, clay pots for growing orchids to exports in the 70s, and currently holds educational tours, excursions and classes for pottery making. 

Pottery enthusiasts may also point out that wood-firing in a dragon kiln is different from that of an electric kiln and as such, the dragon kiln is to be preserved as it is set apart from what can be mass-produced and the works that comes out of it is largely varied and unpredictable. 

An environmentalist may point out that due to the large amounts of wood used in the process and the ash generated as a result, it may pollute the air. Furthermore, unlike the dragon kiln, the buildings that are to replace it are pro-environment-- Jurong Eco-Garden and CleanTech park. 

Another perspective to see this issue may be from the eyes of an economist. 

Correct me if I mis-used any terms here, if you must. It'd be very much appreciated. 

In the current context of 2016 Singapore, with rising manpower and material costs, the dragon kiln may have to raise their prices of their classes, workshops,etc to be able to sustain themselves -- not just the employees that work there but the maintenance costs, costs of running the place, etc. It may not be able to sustain itself for long. Case in point this year's Bak Kwa prices rising due to rising manpower costs and material costs. While bak kwa and pottery may be two different things, they still will be hit hard by rising manpower costs, especially when job opportunities in other industries seems more appealing to employees. 

What about the consumer's perspective then? 

A parent with a young children may see making pottery at Thow Kwang a more authentic experience for their children, since compared to pottery lessons elsewhere, the classes are mostly held in non-air conditioned spaces among lush green trees, with slabs of clay laid out for them on long wooden tables to express their creativity on. And as compared to typical art courses, the finished work is not always predictable. How a piece turns out may differ when pit-fired, wood-fired or fired via electric kiln. And if my memory serves me right, Thow Kwang does have these means of firing. Its like a brief getaway from city life. 

How do i know all these? Because back in primary school, they used to take us on yearly classes to Thow Kwang and i had a lot of fun there. I still keep the pieces i made. 

From Thow Kwang's Official FB page

And from a secondary school student's perspective, making pottery may be a means of stress relief. 

While the sessions may be brief, feeling and molding clay in one's hands seems like a brief respite from the overwhelming loads of schoolwork. Also, it can be a fun hobby to pick up. While one may not always require a dragon kiln to make pottery pieces, its still good to have the authentic experience while the kiln is still there. 

I would like to comment, if i may, that my argument here is subjective. I cannot speak on behalf of all secondary school students, or a pottery enthusiast or an economist for that matter. My perspectives are still limited by me --- my own experiences at the place. And thats why i want it to be preserved. As such, my writing may be persuasive. But it isnt the big picture. 

Yet, discussing Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is different from discussing about the National Theater, Queenstown Bowl or Queenstown Theater, or even the Tanjong Pagar Railway Platform for that matter. The second, third and fourth places have already been demolished and my argument will vary, since the outcome is already due. 

This is a simple disclaimer. And also for that fact, all copyright of the pictures belong to their respective owners.

For any audiences/readers (if there are even any) who wish to fact-check, below are the links that I've derived most of my facts from. 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/chinese-dance-and-pottery/1992102.html

http://www.iremember.sg/index.php/2014/12/childs-play-in-the-dragon-kiln/

http://www.singaporememory.sg/Contents/SMA-0cc06dff-dc0c-4286-9849-dda444212eb2

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/remaining-dragon-kilns-in-singapore-given-new-breath-of-life