Kampong Buangkok, the last traditional village in urban Singapore was used as a case study by a group of RGS students to examine people’s views on kampong lifestyle and its heritage value, and to see if this influenced their opinions about the conservation of the kampong. The students surveyed individuals with no experience of kampong life, former and present kampong residents. Kampongs were generally viewed as backward and unhygienic, and treated as a “getaway” rather than a residence.

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Nevertheless, kampongs were felt to be tied to heritage and should be conserved for education and tourism. Many felt powerless in the decision-making process that would decide the kampong’s fate. The eventual survival of Kampong Buangkok will reveal the response of the state towards heritage conservation.

Caroline Ong Shu Xian, Rebecca Heng Zer Lyn & Ho Qi Xin, 2006. Conserving Kampong Heritage in Urban Singapore: A Case Study of Kampong Buangkok. 22p. An unpublished project report by students of Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary), supervised by Ho Kah Wai. Submitted on 14 January 2006 for final judging at the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (Behavioral Science). PDF of report.