L acan on urban development and national identity in a global city

Integrated Resorts in S ingapore

Bibliographic Data

ID20153699
AuthorsNathan Bullock (0000-0003-0380-4082, National University of Singapore, corresponding author), Nathan F Bullock (Asia Research Institute National University of Singapore Singapore)
Year2014
Volume35
Issue2
Pages213-227
Publication date2014-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSingapore Journal of Tropical Geography (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0129-7619 • E-ISSN: 1467-9493
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sjtg.12062
OpenAlexW1490314896
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited18

L acanian psychoanalysis has been used in film, literature and other areas of social thought, but rarely in the domain of urban studies and human/cultural geography. Following its introduction by urban planners M ichael G under and J ean H illier, I apply the theory of the four discourses and the mirror stage of development to S ingapore's urban development of the two Integrated Resorts at M arina B ay and S entosa. The decision to allow gambling and build casinos was a contentious one and provides a point of departure for insight into the identity issues and planning decision making processes in S ingapore. I critically analyse the rhetoric of the public debate from 2004–2005 to draw conclusions about the government's self‐perception of S ingapore as a city‐state and the manifestation of this identity through the creation of cosmopolitan spaces as an attempt to project that identity onto its citizens. The aim of L acanian psychoanalysis is to provide an understanding and recognition by analysis to enable a change of signifiers, values and ideology among the masters and the subjects to better represent the true needs and wants of the community. This reflective position enables a movement toward postcolonial urban studies and planning

Aesthetics · Art · Civil engineering · Government (linguistics) · Identity (music) · Ideology · Perception · Place identity · Political science · Politics · Rhetoric · Sociology · State (computer science) · Urban planning · Computer Science · Psychology · Socioeconomic Development in Asia · Urban and Rural Development Challenges · Urban Planning and Governance