The Politics of Landscape in Singapore
Constructions of ‘Nation’

Cloth $39.95L   |   ISBN 0-8156-2961-3   |   2002

Paper $19.95s   |   ISBN 0-8156-2980-X   |   2002

This book shows how power relations that define and challenge the concept of "nation" are played out in and through landscapes.

Reviews
"This book intelligently examines the various forces that have shaped Singapore’s emergence as a ‘nation.’ . . . The structure of the book is straightforward. After a general introduction on the rationale of studying ‘landscape politics,’ a number of short chapters flesh out various aspects of Singapore’s nation-building project. The topics covered are diverse, ranging from an analysis of religion’s role in the creation of Singapore as a nation, to a examination of how changes in street names reflect the nation-building process, and a discussion of how the framing of performing arts spaces in Singapore is geared towards enhancing nationalist feelings. . . . A essential read for everyone interested in Singapore’s remarkable status in the world economy in general and in Southeast Asia in particular."
—Bijdragen: Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia and Oceania

"Kong and Yeoh delve into the building of a nation through the use of landscapes. . . . With its relatively new status of a nation, Singapore has struggled with the development of a nation as a means of giving people a sense of pride and belonging and a method to discourage emigration. Kong and Yeoh examine the development of this unique nation through 'death,' religious, housing, heritage and art landscapes in addition to toponymic inscriptions of landscapes. . . . A fascinating book that brings together the nation as defined through landscapes in Singapore. The book is well researched and written in an easy-to-understand tone. Arguments are presented as much as possible from all sides to include both positive and negative impacts of the States' policies."
Journal of Cultural Geography

"An empirically rich application of contemporary ideas in cultural and political geography, Kong and Yeoh's work is a very rewarding read."
Progress in Human Geography

6 x 9, 216 pages, 14 photographs, index, notes, works cited

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