Urban Renewed?

When does Urban Renewal stop?

With pertinence to a recent event of the building of an "Adventure Park" in Pulau Ubin, I feel a pretty deep sense of loss and disappointment. I've only been to Pulau Ubin once, and that's enough for me to feel that this perhaps marks an overstepping of Urban Renewal.

At Pulau Ubin for Chelsea's birthday a few years ago.

Justifiably, the residents are able to remain in their settlements, possibly the last of Singapore's authentic Kampongs, if they agree to pay rent as the land is now state-owned. According to reach.gov.sg, there will be a road built to join mainland Singapore to Ubin. 

While it is pragmatic and convenient to build a road to Ubin, doesn't it take away the exclusivity and rustic quality of the island? It poses the question as to why pragmatism has overruled the charm of natural attractiveness. It's undeniable that the idea of the only entry point to the island is via boat, gives it a sense of adventure and creates a chasm; both physically and characteristically, between itself and Singapore's city life. Take for example, Disneyworld, Orlando. It is only accessible by ferry, heightening it's magical "other-worldliness". I understand that building a road will definitely make accessibility more efficient, but why are we always emphasising on efficiency? It pains me to think of Ubin polluted with cars and exhaust fumes.

The Slow Movement is something that counteracts this need for speed. Just something that I thought was a wonderful contrast to what most of us are guilty of every day: 

"Leisure: Slow Movements -- Japan has a "slow life" movement. Italy has a "slow cities" movement. Spain has a network of siesta salons. Originating in Austria is the Society for the Deceleration of Time (kudos to the guy who came up with this), which sets speed traps for pedestrians. And, catching on around the world is a "slow food" movement dedicated to taking the time to prepare and eat food slowly. People the world over are resurrecting the art of doing things more slowly."

- Ruth V. Russell "Leisure" Oxford Encyclopaedia of Modern World.  

Slow food... food for thought. Finally a movement (or the slowing down of it) for everyone to take a step back to realise that we should enjoy and find meaning in what we are doing, rather than abiding by the expectations of utilitarianism. Which brings me to my next point: How much reclamation is too much?

I read in a source that the coastlines along Pasir Ris and Changi beach would be reclaimed over. Why you take away nice seascape?! Earlier, there were plans that Chek Jawa was to be reclaimed too, but after quite a huge number of nature-loving members of the public opposed the notion, substantiated with research that proves unique marine life inhibits the area, the government withdrew its plans and took to the public's suggestions to preserve the area for the good of future generations.

I feel that this reveals how expediency (or apparent pragmatism) has veiled the ability to see how natural attractions would be more inviting than commoditised parks. The details of this "Adventure Park" are very obscure (I did a google search and found that I'm not the only one with no idea what exactly it is supposed to encompass). Even if most of the place is preserved, it is being reformatted (for lack of a better word) to expand tourism and this commoditisation cheapens the value of a charming, rustic island.

I shall end off with Arthur Yap's "& the tide"

& the tide

& the tide which is being urban-renewed
at bedok must go on its own tidy ways
without too much of a fuss,
coming in as riprap waves
met by the breakwaters
or going out sufficiently
for undisturbed analysis.
& the sum of their margin:
a littoral of slightly raised damp sand
& carefully arrayed litter.
out there where the waves curl,
the liquid is greenly uneven
in the sun's rays & the sky's
layers of noon darkness.
the renewal of a large imagination
may be rare, in a seascape.

Fail.

Before I go, this is what I feel is greatly applicable to such a matter:
"With great power comes great responsibility."
If man likes to play God, he's got to know how to play.