Abstract
While Singapore’s pragmatic approach to land use is understandable from a development perspective, it has resulted in the loss of a substantial part of its natural and cultural heritage. The removal of most of the country’s cemeteries is a significant outcome of this process. Consequently, much of the country’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage associated with these burial spaces has disappeared. And, as cemeteries are often part of green areas and ecological corridors, their loss has also led to the substantial decline of some of Singapore’s most endemic precious flora and fauna. At a juncture where Singapore has lost most of its original natural habitats and many endemic species, preserving the remaining pockets of greenery, often found in the few cemeteries left across the country, becomes not just an obvious step but a necessity. This research project introduces a novel approach to conservation and environmental, social, and cultural sustainability by observing how installing a controlled number of beehives with honeybees can influence the natural and cultural heritage preservation of Singapore’s last remaining cemeteries while providing opportunities for alternative and actualised societal interactions with the spaces. It hypothesises that the introduction of beehives in Singapore’s defunct cemeteries can contribute to enhancing social sustainability and advancing communal well-being while contributing to the preservation of endangered yet valuable cultural and environmental resources. The project addresses this focal research question: Can introducing beehives in Singapore’s cemeteries contribute to the country’s engagement in adaptable and sustainable interdisciplinary approaches that benefit society?
Presenters
David Ocon FernandezAssistant Professor, School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Sustainable Development for a Dynamic Planet: Lessons, Priorities, and Solutions
KEYWORDS
Urban Asia, Environmental And Social Sustainability, Nature And Cultural Heritage
