The virtual museum and digital heritage preservation in Kampong Bharu

Abstract

Kampong Bharu is an urban village located right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur city centre, which is being encroached by many upcoming and already completed high-rise mega projects. Recent changes in its plot ratio to 1:10 have made matters even worse as developers scramble to grab a piece of the pie. Due to its strategic business location, Kampong Bharu’s heritage is slowly being eroded with many architectural heritage buildings and structures being lost from existence. This village holds many important histories towards the development of Kuala Lumpur that we have come to know. Yet there is a lack of celebration of the heritage and history of Kampong Bharu. This study reviews the ways digitisation and digitalisation can help benefit the heritage preservation of Kampong Bharu and the challenges it faces. This study explores the various methods and case studies in preparing future heritage centres that focus on digital and virtual exhibitions.