Case #1519.0

Dealing with Unexpected Opposition: The Singapore Tourism Board and the Chinatown Enhancement Plan

Publication Date: August 01, 1999
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Abstract:
When a powerful government agency, the Singapore Tourism Board, explores the idea of publicly-supported renewal of the city-state's so-called Chinatown district, it goes through an elaborate process of community consultation. Yet when the plan is announced to improve Chinatown to create an important tourist destination, a relatively obscure nonprofit historic preservation group virtually derails the plan through a campaign based largely on one major article its key members contribute to the Straits Times, Singapore's leading newspaper.

Learning Objective:
The case raises the questions of what constitutes effective community consultation and of why and how an advocacy group--which the Tourism Board has ostensible consulted during its planning process--was able to be so effective.

Other Details

Case Author:
Howard Husock
Pages (incl. exhibits):
9
Setting:
Asia, Singapore
Language:
English