TOPONYMIC TRACES OF COLONIALISM: ANALYZING GEORGE TOWN AND BINONDOS URBAN NAMING PATTERNS

Southeast Asias Toponymy demonstrates profound socio-political changes driven by colonial and postcolonial histories and culture. In this study, GeorgeTown in Penang Malaysia and Binondo in Manila, Philippines has been selected for the assessment of street-naming patterns, to assess and compare the identity, power, and memory that are embedded in the urban lands cape. Through historical maps, archival sources, and on-site observation, this study will trace street names evolution from colonial to present day. A comparative analysis highlighting different strategies in toponymic management for both George Town and Binondo will be discussed in this paper. George Town exhibits an approach that is preservation-oriented that intertwines colonial with multicultural identity while Binondo reflects more on politicized renaming that is tied to the nationalistic sentiment. Exploring the patterns underscore how each places remembers and reframed the past. The study will emphasize street name roles as an instrument of political discourse and cultural narration, and advocating street-naming that engages with layered historical narratives while promoting inclusive urban identities. This will also discuss opinions of the locals in shaping urban identity on the naming and renaming patterns for both George Town and Binondo. Lastly, this will advocate street -naming practices that will acknowledge the historical narrative layers and support inclusive urban identities in postcolonial Southeast Asian cities.In conclusion, this highlights the political discourse, cultural narration, and collective memory in postcolonial Street names in Southeast Asian Cities.