Designating Urban Rivers as National Heritage: A case study of Sungai Kelang and Sungai Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Rivers were places where civilizations arose and aided the foundations of their economic fortunes. However, most urban rivers have today been abused and undervalued, and thus little conserved or re-opened up to celebrate these waterways. Malaysia is one of a number of countries whom have witnessed the former. In 2011, the River of Life (RoL) Entry Points Projects (EPP) was introduced to address this issue aimed towards revitalizing the Klang River into a heritage riverscape and a reinvigorated linear commercial centre for Greater Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley (GKL/KV). This paper discusses the heritage fabric at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers in portraying and narrating the importance of these rivers to the cultural identity of this precinct. Recognising these qualities will result in highlighting the cultural heritage values that need to be considered in recognizing this riverscape as a National Heritage asset. This paper also explored the historical and potential elements of the urban river in Malaysia through the mix method approach (Convergent Parallel). Research data was obtained from Malaysian authorities, using a top-down approach, through interview and visitor participant questionnaires to obtain convergence and divergence perceptions and patterns between these two sources of data. Data obtained sought to elucidate the cultural identity of this urban riverscape and its fabric from the perspective of both official participants perceived responsibilities and the interpretation of the riverscape from local respondent perspectives. The results of data from both participant types is crucial in offering new viewpoints towards a new to better adapt the government’s visions and visitor expectation about the future of this riverscape. This information could better enhance the tourism aspects of this area that has been highlighted as ‘National Key Economic Area (NKEA) 06: Tourism’, and to foster the integration of cultural heritage in an urban setting.