Sustainable historic waterfront development: approaches and dilemma of two UNESCO world heritage sites in Malaysia

Abstract

Urban waterfronts are unique cultural resources which have great potential to improve economic development, public enjoyment and civic identity. This issue is more predominant in the historic areas where the once active waterfront ceases to function in its traditional capacity. George Town and Melaka were both jointly awarded the UNESCO world heritage site in 2008 because of the similarity in issues and the functions they served in the past. The waterfronts of the cities were included in the heritage sites' boundaries and the approaches taken to the waterfront development have an important influence on their sustainability. This paper examines the approach to waterfront regeneration in the major cities of Malaysia including the two aforementioned historic cities. A mixed method approach has been adopted for the research using field observations, morphological study, in depth interview, questionnaire survey and content analysis of policies in government documents to collect data for the analysis. The research attempts to compare the differences in approaches between the two heritage cities and their implications in relation to their sustainability. The research discovers that the level of contextual integration is an important consideration for sustainable waterfront regeneration for the historic cities.

URBAN REGENERATION OF WATERFRONTS: Literature Review

“…The topic of projects is present in 147 (84%) papers. The case studies addressed by the authors ref er to dif f erent typologies of projects: mega events projects (Jones & Ponzini, 2021), contemporary mega projects (Perić & Maruna, 2022), industrial areas and brownf ields projects (Leger et al, 2016), sustainable cities projects (Shamsuddin et al, 2011), projects related to cultural heritage and naval heritage (Clark & Pinder, 1999), business districts projects (Furlan et al, 2019), creative districts projects (Sepe, 2013), projects related to inf ormal areas (Attia & Ibrahim, 2018). Each typology presents characteristics and particularities.…”

Integrative Conservation for Recovering the Riverfront of Mosul Town

“…İLHAN study 2014 aimed to make the riverfront the focal point of daily life and create a sense of local identity that cannot be achieved unless dealing with environmental and cultural features of heritage, social system and collective memory in the planning and design stages [27]. Shamsuddin's study in 2015 discussed the methods of renovating the riverfront and their impact on the contextual integration of the cities of Malacca and Georgetown in Malaysia and using quantitative and qualitative methods to determine the common and distinctive characteristics of each area [28]. The study of Sanoff in 2003 represents an application of participatory techniques such as awareness methods (newspaper topics, articles and newsletters), collective interaction methods (focus groups, games, the Karet process) and indirect methods (surveys, questionnaires and interviews) for riverfront development [29].…”

Visitor’s Intentions to Re-Visit Reconstructed Public Place in Jakarta Tourism Heritage Riverfront

“…Adjacent to the benefit from the historic redevelopment of the waterfront, riverside revitalization also helps in promoting inclusivity in the cities. It also has tourism advantages, especially if this riverfront has successfully managed in the relation between beautiful distinctive heritage buildings that surround it (Shamsuddin et al, 2012). Project for public space (2000) published four important qualities of successful public space, such as accessibility, provide a good image and comfortable, have a range of activities to do, and enhance the social life of visitors, for example in Nyhavn, Denmark.…”