Regenerating the identity in historic waterfront: A case study of Central Market Waterfront, Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

The study focused on assessing the attributes of identity in the historic waterfront to regenerate the historic waterfront with eroding identity. Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, is succumbed by unprecedented urbanization in the past few decades. Thus, Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak are overshadowed by new developments which are insensitive to the existing character and setting of the historic waterfronts. Consequently, this threatens the historic waterfront identity, even though the rivers were the starting point of Kuala Lumpur. This study aimed at assessing the factors to regenerate the identity in the historic waterfront and propose strategies that can contribute to the regeneration of identity of the area. The research methodology adopted is qualitative approach. Attributes that contribute to the identity of the historic waterfront were identified through literature review and evaluated by townscape appraisal and field observation. The area selected as the case study is the Central Market area at the historic Klang waterfront. Central Market is a Category Two Heritage building separated from water edge by the new LRT infrastructure. Historically the former wet market, Jalan Benteng and the water body created a combined genius loci for the place, as boats carried goods to and from the Central Market, forming a significant node. Key findings indicated that several attributes of identity are eroding, causing poor accessibility and legibility, poor water quality and no block permeability to extend activities. Also, the new landscape elements by ROL Project at Jalan Benteng affect the enclosure of the historic waterfront promenade. The natural and man-made landscape elements surrounding the waterfront are not coherent, does not aid in legibility to the waterfront but rather affect the meaning and association with the historic setting. The open spaces in the waterfront precinct are misused, such as the car park of Central Market, which has immense potential to be a major node. These scenarios are deteriorating the identity of the historic waterfront. Finally, the study proposed several urban design recommendations aimed at regenerating the identity in the historic waterfront.