RESEARCH POSTER
THEORIES OF ASIAN ARCHITECTURE
IMPACTS OF TRADITIONAL BUSINESSES & TOURISM ON HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE IN JALAN TUN H.S LEE METHODOLOGY
ABSTRACT Jalan Tun H.S. Lee is one of the oldest streets in Malaysia, with a lot of historical and cultural values etched into it. But the architectural heritage is slowly being taken out of the picture due to modernisation and technological advancements. This research aims to investigate the root problems that are negatively affecting the architectural context of the street, through the many case studies that can be found. As traditional businesses are struggling to keep up with their modern counterparts, preservation of heritage buildings have become more difficult and unfavourable due to high costs and lack of management. Traditional architectural facades are either inappropriately renovated or left to deteriorate. Heritage tourism is also negatively impacted further causing more difficulties towards traditional businesses and less incentive to conserve heritage buildings.
literature review
Understanding basic information about heritage architecture and conservation.
Conducted research and identified the heritage tourism issues that Jalan Tun H.S Lee is facing.
analysis
Studies on how certain shophouse owners faced the challenges of maintaining the buildings as well as their businesses.
case study Jalan Tun H.S Lee, also known as "high Street"
WHAT PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES ARE TRADITIONAL BUSINESSES FACING? The architectural appearance of traditional shoplots does not conform to young consumers' visual preference.
Store environment and layout may influence the
Modern shops offer a better shopping experience
consumer’s choice especially to the younger generation.
Comparing the wet market, for example Penjaja Gallery
The concept of store image is the way consumers ‘view’
Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to other modern retail stores in Jalan
the store in their minds. the right use of colour, lighting,
Tun H.S Lee, the environment is significantly less desirable
sound and furnishing may stimulate perceptual and
as it is cramped due to the poor space planning as well as
emotional responses within consumers, which affects
the poor ventilation which results in the space feeling
their
stuffy and smelly.
behavior.
Store
atmosphere
and
pleasant
surroundings may increase the customers’ willingness to stay for a longer period of time, and even encourages
Although certain similar items may be relatively higher priced compared to traditional markets, there are still consumers who will choose to shop in retail outlets due to comfort and hygiene. The good environment plays a part in the marketing strategy in attracting customers. (Abu, 2004).
them to revisit. (Farhangmehr et al. 2000).
Modern establishments which incorporates the latest developments and trends in architectural aspects and ways of selling. For example, Lucy in the Sky is competing with old traditional businesses like Restaurant Hong Ngek and their comforting ambience.
WHAT ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS ARE LOST WHEN MODERN BUSINESSES INAPPROPRIATELY RENOVATE OLD SHOPHOUSES? The original architectural aspects of the street are case study: back home kl and renovated. The styles and the looks of the exterior and the heritage architecture of most shophouses are lost for example, some of the Jalan Tun H.S Lee. The building has had a few floors added to it, which caused it to lose the authentic architectural language of this street. With the surge of air
exist, and the timber shutter windows have been replaced with glass paned windows.
WHAT FACTORS ARE CAUSING DIFFICULTIES IN PRESERVING HERITAGE BUILDINGS? hard
m rice tp
ible
ke
ge
gu idel
ines
considerations 1. Replicating the original materials as close as possible. 2. Respecting the valid contributions of all periods on the building. 3. Replacing the missing parts must be integrated well with the whole. 4. Additions should not detract the building. 5. Use of traditional techniques and materials. 6. Modern techniques are only admissible when traditional techniques are not feasible. (designingbuildings.co.uk., 2021)
e
st ts
lders
en
eho
m
ak
One of the key challenges in managing cultural heritage tourism in Malaysia is the development of a system where every stakeholders' problems will be taken into consideration. lo In these cases, there is a lack of collaboration in le ss e managing the assets between the local authority and of heritage other stakeholders, since they are working independently without having a shared interest or Lee Rubber Building under common goal for their tasks. (Norhasimah et al., 2014, renovation to be transformed into a boutique hotel. Certain p.6) ornamental features have been removed.
CONCLUSION
Building categories are identified using different levels of heritage classes explicated by the two bodies. (maps.thinkcity., 2018)
These streets are one of the most visited areas in KL for its rich heritage and unique character. However, due to economic growths and commercialisation, it is apparent that these heritage qualities are being overridden. The few number of well preserved shophouses are testament to this issue(RachealChew,November,23,20 15)
As the number of heritage buildings at Jalan Tun H.S Lee continues to dwindle due to lack of preservation efforts, the loss of architectural values has caused tourists and the general public alike to lose interest in visiting the street.
These include other buildings which contain elements or characteristics of some historical or architectural significance which are recommended to be conserved.
and tourist t ap es r p e t
l
v invol ement o f
These include buildings of significant historical and/or architectural importance which have not previously been gazetted principally because they are or were not more than 100 years old and therefore fell outside the provisions of the Antiquities Act. However, it is likely that most if not all of these buildings will be gazetted in the future under the National Heritage Act.
category three
HOW IS HERITAGE TOURISM NEGATIVELY AFFECTED DUE TO THE LOSS OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE? Urbanisation in the city and economic pressures in Kuala Lumpur caused new buildings to slowly push out and replace the pre-war commercial buildings inventory.
category two
ea
In the popular case of The Bok House (AKA Le Coq d’Or) in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, a demolition was scheduled by the government because the conservation process was considered too expensive. This was decided soon after the National Heritage Act 2005 was gazetted, which cause conflict to arise between Badan Warisan Malaysia and the government. (Norhasimah et al., 2014, p.5-6)
teria for he i r c rit a
1. Effectiveness of the restoration work 2. Whether the work respects the previous forms of the building. 3. The implications of the work in terms of ongoing maintenance requirements
restoration can be building categories classified into 2 types ir r ers
ar
The Lee Rubber Building which is considered a Category 2 heritage building, therefore its façade must be preserved.
criteria
ev
to spe cif y
The market value of the shophouses are exorbitant, even when excluding the maintenance costs of the façade. The price and conservation cost of the buildings becomes a burden for owners and discourages newcomers. Heritage buildings also require specific methods & building material to preserve, which is a delicate job and requires experienced professionals.
HOW DOES THE CONDITION OF OLD BUILDINGS AFFECT RESTORATION EFFORTS IN PRESERVING THEIR ORIGINAL APPEARANCE?
in
roper rest
used to be on the exterior of the building no longer
e in pu bli c
imp
a r o
ti
lin c e d
on
conditioned buildings, the ventilation holes that
l
or
shophouses like Weng Hua Flower Boutique in
As the rental cost for these shophouses are low but the maintenance cost is high, shophouse owners nowadays are focusing on converting their shophouses into trading offices, warehouses and restaurants. For example Back home KL, where they rented out a few shophouses at a very low rate and most of their money were spent to maintaining the building. Although the owners appreciate the old shophouses, they sought after the chance to renovate and repurpose the space into a hostel. Due to this, the traditional shophouses are steadily losing its authentic facade because the cost of maintaining the exterior and ornamental features of the shophouses is high and there are lesser and lesser professionals who are well versed in this forefront. Lee, R. (2019, May 14)
sib
l
ctural f ac ad e
i
g
a in
hite c r a
lost when old shophouses are improperly restored
rever
heritage architecture
In turn, this directly affects the local business owners making business even more challenging as they find it hard to attract tourists. Hence, heritage tourism isn't sustainable and it is negatively affected by the loss of architectural heritage at Jalan Tun H.S Lee. (Racheal Lee, February,19,2016)
As old shophouses develop through modern construction technology and building services, preservation and conservation of the traditional facade has been overlooked as it loses its cultural identity and architectural significance. This is due to traditional businesses being unable to keep up with modern demands. When the cost and difficulties of maintaining the shophouses outweigh the benefits, shophouses are left abandoned and deteriorating. Tourists come to see the historical buildings and architectural facades that have persisted since generations ago. If the architectural context is lost, then there is no reason for the tourists to visit. Especially in the current state of the pandemic, this problem is even more relevant. If the cycle continues, then there will be no future for the architectural heritage of Jalan Tun H.S. Lee. Therefore we must address this issue to the locals and the government before it is too late. ADAM YUSUF 0338206
ALFRED LIM SHYI YUEN 0347552
GERALD KHO 0343462
LOH JIA JUN 0343271
ONG LI CHE 0344066
TAY EE HANG 0344365
VIVIANNE YIU 0341464
RESEARCH POSTER
THEORIES OF ASIAN ARCHITECTURE
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ADAM YUSUF 0338206
ALFRED LIM SHYI YUEN 0347552
GERALD KHO 0343462
LOH JIA JUN 0343271
ONG LI CHE 0344066
TAY EE HANG 0344365
VIVIANNE YIU 0341464