Portraits of Old Kuala Lumpur

The photo above gives us the impression of Old Kuala Lumpur back in the days, when Kuala Lumpur was slowly developing from the birth of the tin mining town.


Photo Source : http://rage.com.my/content/stories/jalan-sultan-photowalk/

Many of us may not know or take a close notice of the streets that make and surround Petaling Street. If you're frequent traveler to Central Market and Petaling Street, you may have come across numerous construction sites nearby Jalan Sultan as well Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Petaling and also Jalan Tun H.S Lee. For instance the old UDA building has been torn down recently.

The reason behind this new construction is the development of the new MRT stations that are suppose to benefit the people of Kuala Lumpur. However, despite many protests of building the MRT station on the main road in front of Petaling Street, the government still feels fit to tear down historical buildings in the old kuala lumpur area in the name of progress.

In response to this outcry, the UCSI University’s School of Architecture and Built Environment held an exhibition highlighting the architecture, culture and routine of old Kuala Lumpur that will be severely affected or destroyed in the wake of this new MRT project. The exhibition, entitled Portraits of Old Kuala Lumpur was held from first to third December 2012, at the Kwong Siew Association 168, Jalan Tun H.S Lee. The exhibition was the brain child of UCSI University’s architecture lecturer Ar. Chia Lin Lin and was assisted by lecturers Ms. Sukhjit Kaur Sidhu and Ms. Angelyn Tan 'G' Ling, and the students of the School of Architecture and the Built Environment.

“Jalan Sultan is not only the history of Chinese community and business, but the history of Malaysia,"

quoted by heritage and history researcher Teoh Chee Keong.

Ar. Chia Lin Lin on behalf of UCSI University gave the opening ceremony speech and thanked the Kwong Siew Association for the venue and full assistance in bringing the exhibition to life. She talked about the small and precious moments and activities that make Old Kuala Lumpur unique and how each and every corner that still lives on from the past is truly important to the future of the country.

She also stressed on the importance of an architect creating new development that responds to the needs of local communities rather than completely disregarding them.

 "Designers are to design what is important to the people," Ar. Chia Lin Lin.

Ms. Sukhjit Kaur Sidhu who was the master of ceremony that ensured the smooth flow of the opening ceremony without flaws.

Later the event was officiated by Y.B Fong Kui Lun who also expressed his concerns on the destruction of Old Kuala Lumpur and the disintegration of the local communities.

Y.B Fong Kui Lun mentioned that Kuala Lumpur has over 155 years of history that reflects back the time of our forefather Kapitan Yap Ah Loy developing the early stages of Kuala Lumpur. It was also the place for conference of leaders from around the nation and the driving force that gave us Kuala Lumpur as it is today.

Y.B also expressed his concerns that the MRT project may affect the schools around the area such as the SJKC Jalan Davidson, Methodist Boys' School and Victoria Institution as the students of the schools may have difficulties accessing the buildings and noise from the construction projects may affect their attention in classes.

On behalf of UCSI University, tokens of appreciation were given to both the honorary guest Y.B Fong Kui Lun and the Khong Siew Association.

Support from the local communities and students.

The exhibition showcased numerous drawings,sketches and photos of old Kuala Lumpur communities done by students from UCSI University School of Architecture and the Built Environment.

Portraits and Sketches

Yellow sticky notes were given to visitors and local communities to "post on wall" of their experience in old Kuala Lumpur areas from Shin Kee Beef Noodles Specialist to the Fried Potato Uncle.

The Petaling Street Neighbourhood Map

Light hearted moment when visitors reminiscence their past and shared funny incidents that occurred with the younger generations.  

Student's Work and Relief Model

The design studio 4 works done by Eric Poh, Saw Yi Yin, Lim Jia Pey and Tan Kwon Chong that required them to design a budget hotel for tourist accommodation around old Kuala Lumpur that takes local culture and heritage into consideration. 

100 Images of Old Kuala Lumpur

Photographs on the wall were collected by Ar. Chia Lin Lin and her team, Lim Wen Jian, Tan Kwon Chong and Choo Hui Yee for over a year ! Thousands of photographs were snapped and the best 100 images were selected for the exhibition. 

Talk about dedication and commitment.   

The exhibition was enlightening and has instilled an important message onto our mind that we should always remember our roots and treasure our heritage.

Remember old Kuala Lumpur.

Photographs of the exhibition courtesy of Ayrton Brandon from UCSI University.