I must express my disappointment at the imminent demolition of the New 7th Storey Hotel in Rochor Road to make way for a Downtown Line MRT station.

It seems another noteworthy building in the history of Singapore is being sacrificed in the name of progress.

With all the advances in building technology (there is even an MRT station built under a huge canal in Chinatown), it is hard to understand why this is the only way to resolve the situation.

To the layman, it seems that the authorities think demolishing the hotel is the cheapest and most convenient way to remove a thorn in the flesh via land acquisition.

In comparison, other countries have tried and succeeded in merging new and existing buildings with tactful architecture intervention.

The New 7th Storey Hotel demolition is another painful reminder of similar acts by the authorities.

The most recent example is the demolition of the red-brick National Library building in Stamford Road. Another, already fading in our memories, is the beloved former National Theatre, just a few streets away.

I hope the Government remembers that the collective historical memory of Singapore belongs to the nation, and its people, and must be treated with respect.

Architectural history is an important component in the fabric of the people's memory, and these threads should not be torn down in the name of progress.

Is it any wonder that increasing numbers of young Singaporeans find it hard to sink roots here and choose to move abroad?

It is also in the nation's interest that the Urban Redevelopment Authority, National Heritage Board and other authorities comment on this.

Yan Dawei

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 30 June 2008.