2024 JPJC JC2 GP Prelim P2 Insert

Name: _________________________________ Class: _____________ JURONG PIONEER JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 Preliminary Examination 2024 GENERAL PAPER 8881/02 Higher 1 9 September 2024 Paper 2 1 hour 30 minutes INSERT READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name and class in the spaces provided above. This Insert contains the passages for Paper 2. This document consists of 4 printed pages.

2 Passage 1. An author reflects on lessons balancing development and sustainability. 1 We need quality buildings to safely house our schools, hospitals, offices, and our homes. We also live in a world with limited resources for constructing and operating new buildings, which means we need buildings that are sustainable and resilient in addition to being safe and functional. Most cities facing this challenge are full of underutilised historic buildings and sites with cultural, social, economic, and technological value. These historic places are precisely the solution required in growing cities, and they have surprising economic and environmental benefits. 5 2 From “mega tall” skyscrapers to slums, to the infrastructure that connects them, cities can be catalysts for economic opportunity, industry, and innovative constructions. Historic buildings are a tangible recording of a city’s story and can teach us about our history and culture. Importantly, it also teaches us about sustainability. As catalysing drivers of development, cities seem to be in direct opposition with historic structures. The momentum of development and emerging green technologies drive cities to build for the future. At first glance, run-down historic buildings without some modern features (like adequate steel reinforcement or airtight window frames) seem to stand in the way of city and human development, whereas it is much easier to opt for cheaper, faster, and larger buildings than investing in an existing building. Yet, we cannot deny that historic buildings are fascinating because they function as both sociocultural bulwarks and priceless technological repositories. Many of the world’s historic sites are buildings that can teach us important lessons about sustainability and building construction. 10 15 20 3 The UN’s 11th Sustainable Development Goal reads: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, through strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. This is seen in the large body of work establishing connections between heritage sites and humanity’s collective memory, or shared identity. Collective memory is an inclusive phenomenon. Historical sites are physical witnesses to shared heritage in the history and places that bind us together as humans. Our own stories can be shared and understood through physical places and spaces. Less abstractly, the acts of preservation, from documentation to regular maintenance, necessarily employ and involve entire communities. Since heritage sites are rarely privately owned, we are all stakeholders of these resources and involved in decision-making and use of these sites. 25 30 4 In an age of urgent demand for resilient cities that can respond to increasing natural and man-made hazards, we can learn invaluable lessons from heritage buildings that remain standing beyond centuries. The fact that these buildings have withstood assault on every front and remain stable speaks not only to the ingenuity of ancient builders but also to the resilience of these structures. Perhaps the greatest advantage for historical buildings is, in fact, their inherent sustainability. These buildings can be adapted to a variety of new uses, whether the project is commercial, residential, or for public use. Not only does adaptive reuse of an existing historic building eliminate construction of a new building, it also eliminates accompanying construction and demolition waste. 35 5 Human development and sustainability, especially in an urban context, are balanced in the conservation and reuse of heritage sites. In using a historic building, its lessons and embodied values can be preserved for future generations. The conservation of a city’s heritage sites is the conservation of humanity. 40

3 Passage 2. An author discusses the value of urban regeneration. 1 One of the main benefits of urban regeneration is that it enhances the liveability of urban areas by creating more attractive, safe, and functional spaces for residents and visitors. Urban regeneration can improve the quality of housing, public services, transport, green spaces and cultural amenities. By addressing the needs and preferences of different groups, urban regeneration can foster a sense of belonging and identity among increasingly diverse urban dwellers. It also enhances liveability in terms of climate change. This helps to prevent breathing illness in elders and children. 5 2 Furthermore, urban regeneration acts as a catalyst for economic growth by attracting investment, fostering innovation, and stimulating tourism. Through initiatives such as repurposing derelict industrial sites for commercial use or promoting cultural events and festivals, urban areas can experience a resurgence in economic activity, generating employment opportunities and bolstering local businesses. Still, the challenge remains as older buildings, lacking modern green practices, present a significant environmental challenge for city planners. Constructed without energy efficiency or sustainable materials in mind, they are often inefficient and resource-intensive. Retrofitting them to meet current standards is costly and complex, hindering efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. 10 15 3 Preservation of urban heritage is another significant benefit of regeneration efforts, safeguarding historical and cultural landmarks while celebrating the diversity of urban identities. By restoring architectural gems, preserving archaeological sites, and promoting cultural events, urban regeneration maintains the unique character and charm of cities, enriching the cultural tapestry for present and future generations. 20 4 Urban regeneration works by engaging stakeholders in the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of urban projects, enhancing participation and collaboration of various actors, such as public authorities, private investors, civil society organisations, local communities, and experts. By engaging stakeholders in the decision-making and governance of urban areas, urban regeneration can increase their awareness and ownership of urban issues and solutions. Urban regeneration can improve the accessibility and availability of health care, education, recreation, and leisure facilities and services. By supporting the health and well-being of urban populations, urban regeneration can contribute to their happiness and satisfaction. Additionally, the deliberate creation of contiguous wildlife corridors ensures safe passages for fauna, promoting ecological balance and enriching urban biodiversity. 25 30

4 Passage 3. An author examines the importance of preserving historic buildings. 1 "We are dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants," as Bernard of Chartres, a twelfth- century philosopher, is believed to have said. He specifically referred to the knowledge that we, as human beings, hold, which is carried through generations and increases year after year, discovery after discovery. We use our past to build our future, and a part of that past is preserved within our historic buildings. They tell the tale of our cities, reminding us of where we come from and helping guide our future decisions.