THE CONFUSION IN THE EVOLUTION OF SHOP HOUSES FRONT FAADE CASE STUDY: JALAN TUANKU ABDUL RAHMAN, KUALA

LUMPUR
IMS.Usman,M.F.I. Mohd-Nor,N.H.Jaafar,M.Surat, M.M.Tahir,A.I.Che Ani

Architecture Department Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

ismar@vlsi.eng.ukm.my

ABSTRACT
This paper discusses several issues and challenges that confront the future design of Malaysias shop houses front faade, specifically located in historic heritage district in the city center of Kuala Lumpur. The evolution of identity of the place has changed drastically due to the light of rapid growth of new metropolitan city, de-population of historic inner city areas, intensive development pressures as well as changing lifestyles and consumption patterns among city inhabitants and tourists, especially in Kuala Lumpur. All these changes are likely to pose a significant impact on the sustainability of historic characters that would destroy the genius loci of the place. The objective of this paper is to create awareness on the above issues so that further research and actions to improve the existing condition will take place.

keyword: historic heritage, genius loci, shop houses front faade, city inhabitants, sustainability INTRODUCTION

Kuala Lumpur portrays unique local cultures, exciting historical sites and outstanding heritage buildings especially shop houses, which arguably should be maintained for national pride and cherished for posterity. According to C.V.Vee (1998), the character, as well as the importance, of the town changed in 1880 when administrative capital of Selangor was moved from Klang to Kuala Lumpur. New government offices and bungalows, of very simple type were built on the high ground to the west of the river as a European quarter. On the East bank, the shops and huts were replaced during the 1880s by buildings of brick with tiled roof separated by wider streets to reduce fire and health risks. During that time, the best solutions of utilizing limited space at the individual plots with narrow street frontage with greater depth of shophouses become identical to Kuala Lumpur commercial center. The kaki lima, or five footway of pedestrian used infront of the shophouses enhanced the tropical outlooks of the shophouses. Totally about 1763 units Prewar buildings in Kuala Lumpur has been identified and studied and have closed relationship significance since early settlement of Kuala Lumpur as supported elements for tin mines activities until the establishment of British Colonial Administrative Center. Due to its historical chronology, 38% of eclectic style, 20% early colonial style, 105 Neo classical style and 8% of early typical shophouses have been developed to create the unique varieties in urban city scape in Kuala Lumpur ( Idid,1995) In essence, heritage refers to the remains of history. Some have argued favorably for the conservation of heritage for national pride. Others, for some reasons have refused to recognize the values of heritage. Front faade in urban conservation refers specifically to the protection and preservation of the elements of urban heritage from being destroyed forever or from being restored without proper guidance, planning, control and management. The major elements of urban heritage include buildings of significant architectural values, historical values and unique local cultures. The elements of faade are commonly found in many heritage cities throughout Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, the Capital City of Malaysia. The faade is one of the most important elements which present this variety of experience to the viewer. People can choose different visual experiences from the fixed menu of the urban environment either by changing their focus of attention in a given scene or by moving to another location and opening up a completely new vista or picture (Moughtin 1995)

THE ISSUES OF FAADE IN HERITAGE DISTRICT Some case studies of faade along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman were done. These case studies highlighted some major issues due to their unique features and characteristics, particularly their distinctive of architectural styles, historical backgrounds as administrative and commercial hubs as well as being the cultural melting pots. As a result, some of the critical urban issues faced at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman are: 1. The increment of land values and demands within limited plots of existing shop houses, caused most of the new development in those areas been built without considering any sensitivity to the surrounding heritage urban fabrics as shown in figure 2 below.

Figure 1: Medium rise building in small plot at junction to Jalan Melayu and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. 2. Insufficient legislations and enforcement such as Akta Kawalan Sewa (Rental Control Act) is not encouraging the owners of the building plots to manage and appreciate the values of their existing old building. It brings the high decrepit level to the building itself. According to Kamarul Baharin Buyong, the Director General of the Department of Museum and Antiquities, the idea of conservation and preservation of heritage is still new in Malaysia; and this idea have to be promoted to the owners of buildings so that they can see the economy advantages of a two storey shop houses over a 50-storey building. But today, the issues are become a big opportunity deal to the owner. Some of them bravely ignore the rules for their own satisfy and short term property profit gain.

Figure 2: High decrepit at one of the shop house in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

3. Improper signage design and uncontrolled position of signage at front facade along this road sometimes dominate and hiding the importance of the existing structure of heritage shop houses front faade. This issue had been addressed by Moughtin (1995); an important purpose of all building signage or street furniture is to established, support and strenghthern the genious loci of a place.

Figure 3: The front facade of the shop houses is dominated by variety of signage design. 4. Some of shop houses which was burned or collapsed affected the whole row of shop houses faade esthetic destroyed as shown in figure 6. The potentials of the faade quality have not been explored according to the right urban theories. This quality does not exist in towns being built today. And indeed, this quality could not exist, at presents, because there isnt any discipline which actively sets out to create it. Neither in architecture, nor urban design, nor city planning takes the creation of this kind of wholeness as their task. It does not exist, because it is not being attempted (C.Alexander (1987),

Figure 4: The existence of the faade that had been disregarded. 5. Some of faade renovation works are not parallel with the previous or adjacent building designs. This is one of the most chronic problems and mostly happened along this historical road. Most of the new development has applied confusion eclectic approach rather than to have continuity of approach to the old heritage essence of development. Conservation approaches which also include adaptive re-use, restoration and urban infill should be encouraged to maintain the original structure, fenestrations, scale and proportions and fabric of the heritage buildings and plots.

Figure 5: Discontinuity of front faade treatment. 6. Intensive and uncontrolled development pressures as well as changing of lifestyles force the grown of the multi-storey in-between the low-rise of shop houses buildings clearly seen unharmonious. Recent development in the global scene has posed many implications on the future of historic cities in many developed and developing nations. Population-driven development pressures, bureaucratic red-tapes, environmental degradations and other pressing urban issues have all conspired against much hopes and anticipations for a solemn recognition and establishment of the historic cities as national pride and treasure, to be maintained and cherished to posterity.

Figure 6: Uncontrolled development sky line of the area. DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Most of heritage cities around the world savor valuable assets as tourist products. At the same time, heritage cities also act as home to thousands of city dwellers. In light of these contentions, this paper examines several major issues and challenges that confront selected historic cities in Malaysia and it also discusses key initiatives and measures undertaken by the respective authorities and local communities in their efforts to control and manage various urban issues in the historic cities. Therefore, in order to decrease these issues, several key challenges facing the heritage cities in Malaysia have been identified which are:

THE SENSITIVITY OF FRONT FAADE DESIGN The unique colonial architectural front faade styles of buildings in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman have played a major role in the creation of heritage cities throughout Malaysia such as the cities of Kuala Lumpur. The historic shop houses buildings usually provide significant physical characteristics to this city. They build a lucid image and distinct identity of a heritage city which differentiates it from other 4

regular cities elsewhere in this regional context. Shop houses in urban conservation are a practice of urban planning and development whereby significant historical, architectural and cultural values in the urban areas are highlighted and accentuated. Hopefully, urban conservation in the future could become a fast gaining momentum in Malaysia, particularly in city with outstanding historical, architectural and cultural heritage. HISTORICAL SETTING In most cases, shop houses physically and the historical setting behind them are two different elements but unfortunately, both of them cannot stand alone. The best way to protect this state of affairs is by sharing the information, data and findings. Thus, smart heritage partnership is one of the best approaches to be well thought-out. It would be a great achievement of global urban solidarity if most of the cities in the world were form partnerships with each other for transfer of know-how, technology and the exchange of experience and knowledge. We need the power of this vision, the imagination and the talent of all these people by generating and educating more public awareness on the importance of heritage and urban conservation for tourism. This could be channeled through exhibitions, seminars and hands-on workshops.

TOURISM MAGNETISM All heritage and tourism activities should be managed effectively to enhance the development of the legacy cities. Important aspects of tourism management should include authentic product development and presentation, information dissemination, provision of facilities for tourist and local use, financial management, and heritage marketing strategies. Updating of heritage and tourism products, together with important guidelines at the heritage districts should be provided effectively through various channels websites, mass media and advertisement boards. Management of heritage also includes improving the quality of tourist experience at the city itself. In its effort to reduce traffic congestion resulted from tourist influx into inner city of Kuala Lumpur, the local government had redesigned some of the routes from twoway to one-way traffics. To further reduce the number of vehicles in the heritage zone, the government is currently conducting `experiment the Park-n-Ride system. This system advises urban users or visitors to park their vehicles in various parking zones outside the inner city and to hop onto buses provided by the city council that take them into inner city area. This system, however, receives lukewarm response from the public. Again, pedestrianized zone in most popular heritage districts should be imposed and supported with the tourism interactive commercial activity. MULTI-FUNCTION ACTIVITIES The entire shop houses row in this case study has an array of exciting tourism products, ranging from historic buildings and monuments, to traditional activities and handicrafts. Several historic buildings should be converted into museum, souvenir shops and other interactive buildings for the tourist. Local cultures and cottage industries should be promoted further to enhance our tourist experiences. Elements associated with the eras of colonialism, the influx of migrants of various origins and the culmination of cultures are useful information to present to them. At the end, they are able to experience the history of these cities through exhibits and displays of heritage products, including historic buildings, and local cultures. URBAN INFILL Conservation approaches of shop houses including adaptive re-use, restoration and urban infill should be encouraged to maintain the original structure and fabric of the heritage buildings and plots. This space actually can bring more life to the area as well as generating activities surround. In dynamic city growth, an attractive city blessed with remarkable historical heritage may entice inward migration of new residents and visitors, as well as new businesses and investments (Kotler et al, 1993). However, such inflow of people and capital should be moderated and gauged. The designation of the conservation zones 5

of this row of shop houses within the heritage cities of Kuala Lumpur has indeed provided a breathing space to heritage conservation. Therefore, pedestrianization in heritage area such as at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is one of the best approaches to enhance those significance characters. The city of Malacca has been noted for designating the Old Malacca Zone as a pedestrian area. Pedestrianized area is a good urban design element, which facilitates heritage trails and walkabouts for tourists to allow appreciation of heritage products. It also protects the historic structures from the damaging effects of air pollution and constant vibrations caused by heavy traffic. Pedestrianized area also provides commercial and leisure activities, such as night bazaar at the back lanes of plots. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT Management of shop houses is also referring as one part of building conservation. It also refers to the practice of keeping intact all buildings bearing significant historical and architectural values. Building conservation is usually implemented through various stages including preparing proposals for building conservation and implementing conservation projects under expert supervision. Thus, the best way to follow up is with a single integrated management as they can control the whole proses to maintain the buildings. CONCLUSION The discussion above has shown some of the confusion on evolution of shop houses in the heritage zone in Kuala Lumpur. More intensive efforts are needed to steer the problems faced in the heritage cities into this new millennium. Efforts, which should be geared at various levels, should be addressed. Introducing sufficient and effective laws and design guidelines regarding heritage and urban conservation is a vital for heritage survival. Those involved in the development of the heritage cities including policy makers, town planners, urban designers and architects need to have a greater understanding of heritage and urban tourism. While introducing various laws and legislations is important, it is much more crucial that they are enforced effectively. Despite the fact of various laws in place, heritage shop houses buildings zone in major city in Malaysia are constantly threatened by demolitions, incompatible extensions and renovation. These reflect the lack of serious enforcement of the law by the authority. Community participation at various levels also contributes to future preservation of the cultural fabrics that add to the blends of the heritage atmosphere. Thereby, the meaning of conservation and its value should be communicated to all stakeholders include the tourists, the NGOs, the community especially the younger generation.

References
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