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Discontent in the world city of Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Gordon Kuo Siong Tan

    (Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore)

  • Jessie PH Poon

    (University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, USA)

  • Orlando Woods

    (Singapore Management University, Singapore)

Abstract

A burgeoning literature on ‘left behind’ places has emerged that captures the backlash against globalisation and highlights the locales that lag world cities. This paper integrates the ‘left behind’ and world cities literatures through the lens of discontent in the context of Singapore, using sentiment analysis and topic modelling as well as interviews with local professionals to unpack the multidimensional aspects of discontent. Focusing on the Singapore–India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement that spurred discontent directed at foreign Indian professionals, we show that the worlding generated by transnational flows has accentuated intra-urban inequality through racialisation and spatialisation of financial business and suburban residential hubs. Discontent from intra-urban inequality unsettles years of efforts by the state to cultivate cosmopolitan spaces aimed at reducing social exclusion and difference in the world city of Singapore.

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon Kuo Siong Tan & Jessie PH Poon & Orlando Woods, 2025. "Discontent in the world city of Singapore," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 62(1), pages 109-126, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:62:y:2025:i:1:p:109-126
    DOI: 10.1177/00420980241246913
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