A Reddit discussion asks what could disappear from Singapore over the next 10 to 20 years and what has quietly faded since 2006. The post asked users to consider both tangible and intangible parts of Singapore, from physical spaces and food to language, childhood, and community spirit.
The original poster predicted that the “kampung spirit” could eventually disappear, saying people no longer know their neighbors or care about them as much. They also pointed to colors becoming less common, mentioning buildings, paint, and toys as examples.
Hawker Food and Neighbourhood Spaces
One of the most upvoted responses was simple: “Hawker food.”
A commenter said hawker centers themselves are unlikely to disappear, pointing out that they are recognized as UNESCO cultural heritage. However, they raised concerns about the future of the food sold there.
According to the commenter, if hawker food becomes more expensive than fast food and restaurants, fewer people may continue eating it, potentially putting some stalls out of business.
Another Redditor agreed, saying hawker centers could remain while the food becomes less familiar to future generations.
They compared this to Geylang Serai pasar malams, which still exist but now feature products such as $8 neon drinks and $20 egg rolls.
Others said certain traditional foods are already becoming harder to find. One commenter said food courts now have many mala and Chinese dishes, while items such as tahu goreng can be surprisingly difficult to find.
HDB common spaces were also mentioned as something that has already disappeared.
Neighborhood provision shops and local snacks were another example. One commenter specifically remembered thin, circular wafers in pastel colors that were popular among children.
Green Spaces, Childhood, and Community
Greenery and open spaces were recurring themes in the discussion.
One Redditor mentioned forests and green spaces as things they worry could disappear, particularly given Singapore’s already hot climate.
Another recalled green fields around different towns being replaced by industrial buildings and new flats. They specifically remembered large stretches of fields along Woodlands Avenue 12 in the mid-2000s, saying only a few patches remain today.
A commenter said these fields were once places where children could fly kites and play football, adding that children now have fewer open spaces to kick a ball around.
The discussion also touched on childhood itself.
One Redditor described childhood as a time for freedom, bonding, and having fun. They argued that some parents may focus heavily on optimizing their children and turning everyday moments into lessons, when children may simply want to play and spend time with their parents.
Mental health was also listed as something that could worsen in the future, although another commenter noted that people may simply be more aware of mental health issues today.
Singlish, Cash, and Everyday Life
Singlish was another cultural feature Redditors worried could disappear.
One commenter said their nephews speak with what they described as a “botched American accent,” while another suggested that children’s accents can be influenced by the shows they watch.
The discussion also moved towards technology and cashless living.
One Redditor predicted that physical forms of everyday life could disappear, including physical money, buttons, banks, and cashiers.
Another said they do not mind cashless payments but would prefer Singapore to require businesses to continue accepting cash. They pointed out that losing a phone could otherwise leave someone without an easy way to pay if they have no card as a backup.
The original post also raised concerns about autonomy and work in an AI-driven future, with one commenter suggesting that entry-level jobs may be particularly affected.
Not everyone agreed with the more pessimistic predictions. One Redditor argued that Singapore’s surrounding seas are cleaner now than they were 10 or 20 years ago.
Another said people may seem grumpier today because they are tired and spend more time indoors, rather than because people have necessarily become less considerate.
For some commenters, the things at risk of disappearing were not just physical objects or places but everyday parts of Singaporean life that are easy to overlook until they are gone.
See the post here:
What do you think will disappear 10-20y from now, and what has quietly disappeared from the last 2 decades (2006-2016), in Singapore
byu/No_Awareness_9811 inaskSingapore
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