“So, think of Singapore instead as the Air-conditioned Nation – a society with a unique blend of comfort and central control, where people have mastered their environment, but at the cost of individual autonomy, and at the risk of unsustainability.” – Cherian George, Singapore

Singapore is a curious place. Small and seemingly insignificant, its story is of interest to all of us. Born a slum ridden speck with no resources and a volatile mix of ethnicities, raised with an authoritarian hand by a visionary leader, and transformed within five decades after becoming independent, with a mix of good governance, social engineering, and control; Singapore has since become one of the great global cities of our times. A technocrat's dream clad in pastel colors, with a land development master plan that can make people seem like pieces on a chess board. Singapore's economic policies are among the most liberal in the world, whereas centrally planned politics and a tight rein on press freedom leave no chance to hazard. The accomplishments and lure of Singapore's top down model of governance are undeniable. In a fast changing world, however, with a population whose wants and needs are becoming more diverse and complex, there is an acute awareness among its decision-makers that longer-term challenges need to be addressed to guarantee the future sustainability of the Singapore story.

Intrigued by Cherian George's description of Singaporean society, I set out on a photographic exploration of the city state, loosely approaching themes and question relevant to understand the Singapore of today. On my journey, I steadily gravitated towards the periphery, where the ubiquitous public housing estates give way to industrial parks. It was there where I realized what makes Singapore so unlike other big cities; there are no marginal spaces, where one stumbles into and gets lost. No gray areas, where the subtle but pervasive influence of the government, with its fine planning and total management approach, somewhat lessens.

Everything seems to be under control.