Firstly, one of the new places of interest found in our selected neighbourhood that was not included in the HEREmap is the Struggle Against The Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) Marker. The marker was unveiled on 8 December 2014 by Singapore’s Sixth President Mr S R Nathan. Memorably, December 2014 marked the 25th anniversary of the 1989 Haadyai Peace Agreements which officially ended the CPM’s four-decade-long campaign of violence and subversion. This marker is a nation building device that memorialised Singapore's power struggle against the CPM. It was dedicated to all Singaporeans who resolutely rejected communism and supported the democratic, non-communist path to nationhood. This site commemorates the journey of those who sacrificed and fought for democracy while serving as a platform to educate the younger and future generations that Rome (or in this case, Singapore) was not build in a day. It prompts Singaporeans to reflect on the nation’s peace, harmony and progress, whether it was taken for granted or even regarded as an entitlement instead of a privilege. This record of history should therefore be on the map due to the symbolic impact it has on naturalising the value of democracy to Singapore citizens and its peripheral role in protecting an account of Singapore’s history. Singaporeans and foreigners alike will learn more about Singapore’s past and the struggles against the CPM that lasted for a solid 48 years. Although it may not be remarkable to tourists who do not know much about Singapore’s history, it strikes a chord with the pioneer generation and also serves as a cultural learning tool for the future of Singapore.
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/webarchives/wayback/20160923070442/http://www.thecpmthreat.sg/marker.html
The second new place of interest that have been chosen to be added into the digital map is the playground at the Esplanade Park. Currently, the park is marked as a park-recreation area. For the most part, the Esplanade Park is quiet and can be rather unassuming. On the day of the site-visit at the park, there were more tourists taking breaks at the seating area than children playing at the playground. Furthermore, not many people stopped to admire the walls of bells beside the Esplanade Bridge or notice the juxtaposition of having a playground in the heart of the city, instead, they are herded from the more popular tourist attraction to the next. Even though the playground is overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of the nearby tourist icons, it should not be forgotten and should be included in the digital map as it is still a place that brings back nostalgic childhood memories and is an element of play in the CBD area. The playground contains two sets of swings, a slide, a seesaw and a spinning disc. Not only is the playground a rare public children’s playground in the heart of the city, but it is one of the few sand playgrounds in Singapore. Many of the sand playgrounds have been replaced by rubber playgrounds as rubber mats provides more shock absorption for falls and it is considered more hygienic than the sand playground. Conversely, sand playgrounds are good for children’s tactile sensitivity and helps to improve their fine motor skills. With the playground pinned on the digital map, the Esplanade Park playground would attract many more parents and children as well as tourists to the historic park. The playground can be foreseen as a highlight to any child’s visit to the Esplanade Park while the adults can find out more about the historical and cultural aspects of Singapore by exploring the national monuments along the Esplanade Park. It also complements other family-friendly activities such as the Car-Free Sundays organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority at the Civic District to enhance work-life balance as well as a stepping stone to a car-light Singapore.
Lastly, the third place of interest that could be included in the digital map would be the “mama shop” inspired pushcart along the Esplanade Mall (Waterfront). The Singaporean culture comprises of elements like food, for many generations local tidbits are an unforgettable pastime of childhood. The pushcart sells different old-school snacks and affordable drinks which triggers feelings of reminiscence. Amidst towering skyscrapers that makes the neighbourhood seem intimidating and tourist or business centred, the ‘mama shop’ on the other hand evokes a strong sense of home. The pushcart is a reminder of a relatable component of the Singaporean identity as it reinforces belonging through the reconnection of a past memory shared by many Singaporeans. The rare sighting of such provision shops in the CBD adds an element of familiarity and the Singaporean identity in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the district. It is thus an important element to secure to preserve the more relatable aspect of Singaporean culture to encapsulate a positive sense of place in the neighbourhood.