KL Old City What is left for us?

? Prior to achieving independence, Malaysia has long been under the control of several different external influences and colonies both eastern and western. While this event may have limited our political movement and socio-economical activities, it did open our eyes to many different cultures which has shaped the city and people today. This is evidenced by the many buildings in Kuala Lumpur city that are all diverse in terms of architectural styles. The well-known Dataran Merdeka, the historical site where the declaration of independence was held are surrounded by heritage buildings of architectural styles such as Mughal, Turkish and Moorish, to name a few. The shop houses on neighboring streets such as Jalan Tun HS Lee also reflects different architectural styles that were brought in by the invaders. Sadly, these shop houses are not as well taken care of as much as the larger individual buildings. It is evidenced by the shop houses said in Jalan Tun HS Lee that are either renovated to the extent that it no longer bears any resemblance to the original or left to rot with time. For the ones that are abandoned, even beneath the moss-ridden faade, the intricate and elaborate details can still be seen. Some have been rejuvenated by current owners with new paint and changes, while some are left in its original state, but take the effort to maintain the functionality of the building. The reason for the abandonment of some shop houses is due of the location of the street which is of a high market value. Shop houses in Jalan Tun HS Lee has a rent value reaching almost RM10000 a month. This high price makes business owners shy away from renting the place. On top of the rent, they would have to pay for the renovation and upkeep of the shop house. In relation to that, this fact also governs the outcome of the renovation of the shop houses. The original style they were built in are from an age that most builders today are not familiar with. They are not equipped with the knowledge on how to build and shape the fine details therefore most renovated shop houses along the stretch have very simplistic architecture values. Most owners dont want to spend money on expensive architecture as well but rather focus on what is good for their business. In addition to the point mentioned above, due to the current style of architecture which is very much minimalistic, most of the better-looking shop houses have been renovated to suit the current times. Yes, it is true they are good designs but does it suit the context of the surrounding area? In the long run, when all the shop houses are renovated using the same style, will it change the face of the historical street? Will it still be fitting to call it Kuala Lumpur Old City? In my humble opinion, rather than out with the old and in with the new, we should cherish what little we have left from history. This is what has shaped Malaysia, in every sense of the word, and it should not eventually be mere tales and pictures in a book. Architectural conservation is a tough field, but I believe that it is vital for Malaysia to not end up as being superficial.

Jillian Jominin 1007P79636