Part 8/10:
Leslie emphasizes that hawker culture is intrinsic to Singapore’s identity, now recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. The impending demolition threatens not just physical structures but the cultural fabric woven through decades of community interactions and local traditions.
He calls on the residents, and by extension all Singaporeans, to treasure and support their heritage—through the preservation of hawker stalls, stories, and the kampung spirit that defines their shared history. Several residents, like Alice, express concern over their livelihoods and the emotional struggle of leaving familiar places.