The Past Is Our Home

Our Vanishing Landscape explores the concept of nostalgia, often seen as pleasant reminiscences of the past, especially in the context of Singapore's rapidly changing environment. It discusses how familiar places, from traditional kampongs to modern department stores like Robinsons, have been dismantled or transformed as Singapore advances economically. The book highlights that nostalgia is more than indulgence; it can foster a sense of community and shared identity. Through illustrations of popular locations discussed on local heritage and nostalgia websites, the work reflects on how memories of these places persist despite their disappearance. It emphasizes that remembering a vanishing landscape allows for the reliving of joyful past experiences and reinforces a sense of community that remains even as modernization progresses.