The 'bridges' that divide
by Mak Yuen Teen
Having travelled extensively, it struck me
that we may be one of the countries
with the most overhead bridges relative to size and population.
I see these bridges as a metaphor for the divide
I see these bridges as a metaphor for the divide
between the rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy,
the young and the old, "old" citizens and "new" citizens.
My wife and I returned to Singapore in 1996 with our children, aged three and one,
My wife and I returned to Singapore in 1996 with our children, aged three and one,
after living in New Zealand for 15 years.
4 comments:
In the future design of road system, maybe vehicles have to use the underground tunnels or bridges since they are machine powered.
People has the right of flat ground, this will benefit those who use wheelchair, frail and children.
In Hong Kong, you can find a lift or an escalator besides those overhead bridges. Why? Hong Kong Government is more accountable to the people for their long-term welfare and the Government believes in formulating "policy of equal misery". That's the root cause of the "disunity" problem in Singapore now. So vote wisely in GE 2015/2016.
An insightful article, using the analogy of Overhead Bridges to illustrate between the haves and have-nots, the frail and the healthy.
Nothing is more starkly presented is the different treatments accorded to where the bridges are located.
E,g., In Scotts Road, elevators are built to access bridges to cater to rich tourists and the able-bodied younger shoppers, while the surburban bridges outside MRT stations, where ordinary frail ah peks and ah ums are forced to climb to take public transport.
Frequent requests to MPs for escalators, during Meet the Peoples' sessions, fall on deaf frogs, only listen to the rich and powerful.
My preference is to build a 2nd level walkway that can be walked for 1 km and can cross many roads. This is like the walkway in Hong Kong and Taipei. They link many buildings. By going up to the walkway, by elevator or escalator, the pedestrian can walk at that level to the destination.
Five years ago, I send this suggestion to the Minister for Transport and did not receive any acknowledgement or reply, nor any interest to talk about this idea. It gave me a bad impression of the minister and the people who work for him. And a bad impression of the PAP Government - who are arrogant.
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