URBAN settlements often mirror both fears and hopes. While many cities trace their origins to defence, trade, or agriculture, cities like Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur (KL) began with valuable minerals discovered by early pioneers. Malaysia once led the world in tin production, and this ‘white gold’ attracted our ancestors from near and far, prompting settlements in many remote corners of our country. This began our process of urbanisation from the 19th century onwards.

Unlike other Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, or Singapore, which have ancient origins or natural ports, KL was built on muddy land rich in tin. As Malaysians, we have transformed a once malaria-ridden valley into one of Southeast Asia’s wealthiest cities. 

Nevertheless, efforts to promote urban renewal and conservation in KL often face challenges due to its less glamorous history compared to other cities. Questions like ‘What are we renewing?’ and ‘What should we conserve?’ are complicated by colonial legacies and differing perspectives in a diverse democracy, making it difficult for decision-makers to find universally acceptable solutions.

Located near Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, the oldest mosque in the city, the KL River of Life (RoL) project’s urban focus is at the confluence of the Klang River and the Gombak River. 

The RoL began as a long-term project in 2011. It aims to revitalise the entire 110 km-long Klang River basin and stimulate economic investment in adjacent areas that were once the heart of KL. If successful, the project will help future generations understand KL’s history, including the era when tin was vital, and rivers served as early highways.

However, the early 20th-century Klang and Gombak River system was neither clean nor scenic, with mining waste and human waste from nearby homes directly entering the water, causing significant pollution. 

Despite hazards such as drownings and crocodiles before KL was granted city status in 1972, these rivers were essential for transporting tin ore from the hills of Ampang to Klang. Therefore, conservation efforts should aim to improve KL’s quality of life rather than idealise the past.

Any urban renewal project in the city should be firmly focused on the future, as citizens deserve a future brighter than their past. Nevertheless, effective modernisation will only succeed in future-proofing our cities if it goes hand-in-hand with thoughtful conservation. This is because preserving the past creates a framework that enhances the appreciation and success of urban renewal efforts.

In downtown KL, the RoL project aims to improve the water ecology, tourism, and economic vitality of the oldest neighbourhood in the city by enhancing both the sustainability and liveability of KL’s original ‘blue spine’. However, the local shophouse dwellers who once traded at Medan Pasar and Central Market have long been displaced. Thus, there is an urgent need to create new development magnets to attract local families back to the heart of the city.

Creating a new urban waterfront in a city not previously known for its water ecology is a bold attempt to enhance KL’s branding, not just for tourists but also for Malaysians. That new waterfront should ideally be woven into KL’s narrative to tell a cohesive story – as a compelling story can unite Malaysians across different backgrounds.

The RoL is an opportunity to tell KL’s story in a way that instils pride in Malaysians and sustains interest among visitors. It requires continuous milestones to truly ‘bring it to life’ and monitor its progress to ensure that its ambitious goals are met.

Let’s get it right this time. – August 30, 2024.

* Dr Keith Tan Kay Hin reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.