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| Singapore to chart its own path in bid to become a global city |
| 4 Feb 2010 |
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Singapore may be aiming to be a global city, but in becoming one, it will chart its own path and not emulate cities like New York, London and Paris.
So this means that what's allowed in those cities, like gay parades, may not necessarily be allowed here.
Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lui Tuck Yew said this as he fleshed out details of Singapore's goal to become "The Global City of Asia", which was outlined by the Economic Strategies Committee on Monday.
Jeremy Koh has more.
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It's not a new aim.
Then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong first talked about the need for Singapore to become a global city in 1997.
But what's significant in the latest global city recommendations is that it went beyond the hard economics of workforce upgrading and corporate development, to highlight the idea of a "distinctive global city and endearing home" as a priority for the next decade.
And the goal, says Mr Lui, is to continue attracting top talent from around the world, and to get Singaporeans who venture abroad to stay emotionally attached to their homeland.
"My belief is that Singapore is a great city, has been so, will be so for businesses, we can be a greater place to live in, and we can be the greatest place for new ideas, new possiblities, new opportunities that will excite both Singaporeans as well as the people that we draw in from around the world."
So in the coming years, Singapore will be hoping to strengthen its competitiveness as a hub for the arts by creating original and innovative arts and entertainment content.
It's also hoping to attract or develop at least five world-class educational institutions or programmes by 2020 to support developments in new areas.
Efforts will also be made to boost the vibrancy of areas like Bras Basah-Bugis and Orchard Road.
But even though Singapore wants to become a global city, Mr Lui says it won't import everything wholesale from cities like New York, London and Paris.
"We will have to chart our own way. It's not for us to copy the type of openness that's seen in New York or London or Paris, some of which may not be applicable in our local context."
Instead, Mr Lui says the government will move at a pace that's calibrated and which Singaporeans are comfortable with.
As for how the global city masterplan is relevant to heartlanders, Mr Lui says it will open up new possibilities for them - be it in job creation or greater educational opportunities for their children. |