PLACEMAKING, PLACE NAMES, AND LOCAL MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Abstract

Place names can reveal a great deal about the history and cultural heritage of any populated area, besides unlocking a valuable store of information. Place name is also an important element in placemaking. It employs imagination, experiences etc which are then narrated and shared. These place names contribute towards creating a sense of place and identity and when they are erased or changed would lead to a loss of valuable heritage. As such, when engaging in placemaking of built environment or changing place names planners should build upon origin of place names, which form part of cultural heritage. Focusing on the origin of some place names found on the Langkawi island such as ‘Kuah’ (‘gravy’), ‘Belanga Pecah’ (‘broken pot’), and ‘Air Hangat’ (‘hot water’), this article recommends that planning and placemaking in Langkawi Geopark be built upon these names, thus enhancing the sense of place as well as the sense of history of the local population.