PLACE IDENTITY: A THEORETICAL REFLECTION.

Nur Farhana Azmi, Faizah Ahmad, Azlan Shah Ali

Abstract Each place possesses characteristics that confer on it a sense of place and identity through the meanings and values that they provide. The role of the physical built environment in place and identity development has not received ade- quate attention in built environment literature. This paper attempts to identify the unique and exceptional characteris- tics of places which create a unique environment and make a continuing contribution to the overall sense of the place. A preliminary survey was conducted in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB), a small town in the northern part of the Malaysian state of Selangor; to examine the characteristics of the place that influence and contribute to the identity of the town. The survey results demonstrate that the cultural heritage of the physical built environment acts as an important trigger for the town’s identity. While it is undeniable that cultural heritage is indeed greatly the product of non-visual sources; sub- jective meanings, experiences, beliefs, ideology and past history of the place, this paper highlights the significance of the physical built environment in influencing the very individuality of the place.

Keywords: Place identity, Place, Small town, Built heritage, Kuala Kubu Bharu.

1.0 Introduc tion generally a place has not received adequate atten- tion in built environment literature. Furthermore, it Over the eight decades of its existence, the small has largely been neglected in psychology literature town of Kuala Kubu Bharu (or KKB as it is com- that has dominated the debate on place identity monly known) has remained largely untouched by (Hauge 2007). According to Graham et al. (2009), development and thus retained many of the rem- there is a promising tie between historic building nants and traces from the second World War, such and the place identity. Hauge (2007) and Twigger- as bombed buildings. Many Garden City design Ross & Uzzell (1996) argued that discussions relat- elements including the green belts and playgrounds ed to identity are, generally concerned with, and introduced by Malaya’s first town planner, Charles accompanied by, place reference. Crompton Reade, are also still in place. As stated Therefore, this paper attempts to identify by Yuksel & Iclal (2005), it is the small towns where the unique and exceptional characteristics of places the original historical heritage is protected. The which create unique environments and contribute potential importance of this heritage does not lie to the overall sense of place. To achieve this aim, only in the intrinsic beauty of what is being pre- this paper briefly examines the theory and concepts served, the immediate revenue it may bring from of place, place identity, and the fundamental ele- tourism based in history, but above all in the iden- ments of the identity of places. Based on the theo- tity conferred. The inherent architectural, historical, retical characteristics, the paper further attempts to and cultural significance of the buildings are what identify unique built heritage and other physical ele- makes them unique and subsequently connote the ments; which in the researcher’s view are promi- very individuality of a place from other places in the nent in relation to a study area selected through a world (Noor Suzaini 2007). Apart from these fac- preliminary field survey. tors, functional qualities of the buildings also serve as one of the critical elements in constructing a city’s image and identity (Tiesdell et al. 1996). 2.0 Conceptual foundation of place Therefore, historic urban features are a salient and place identity source for both local and national identity (Goad & Ngiom 2007; Mansfield 2008). 2.1 Place The role in identity development of historic buildings, the physical built environment or more A place is distinguished from the associated con- open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 5 3 cept of space by the former being endowed with of place identity has been discussed implicitly, if not meaning and value (Puren et al. 2008; Relph explicitly in various academic research. Place iden- 1976; Tuan 1977). As argued by Harner (2001) tity has many interpretations (Lewicka 2008; Lynch and Shuhana (2011), it is human experience that 1960; Marcouyeux & Fleury-Bahi 2011; Tavakoli confers meaning to places. In Relph’s (1976:29) 2010; Twigger-Ross & Uzzell 1996). For example, term, place is seen as a multifaceted phenomenon Lewicka (2008) defined place identity as “a set of of personal experiences rather than entities that can place features that guarantee the place’s distinc- be defined simply in terms of their location or tiveness and continuity in time”. Within the context appearance. While developed, understood and of urban sustainability, identity is defined by experienced differently among different people, one Tavakoli (2010) as the physical structure of a city single place may have a range of meanings and that is unique and subsequently increases recogni- values at a particular time (Australia ICOMOS tion of that city. Similarly, Lynch (1960) conceptual- 2000; Harner 2001; Hubbard et al. 2004). ized the identity of a place as that which provides its Although ‘place’ is often characterized by meanings individuality, oneness or distinction from other and intentions people associate with a particular places, and thus is intrinsic to its recognition as a Nur Farhana Azmi, Faizah Ahmad. Azlan Shah Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur setting, the importance of physical characteristics separable entity. On the other hand, place identity whether of buildings or natural features in describ- also focuses on how people see or define them- ing a place is undeniable. selves with reference to the physical environment Pearson & Sullivan (1995) for example, (Marcouyeux & Fleury-Bahi 2011). Using the describe place as the area of concentration of in Breakwell’s identity process model, Twigger-Ross & situ cultural material or region of land where past Uzzell (1996) demonstrated the use of place in human activity is manifested physically in the form gaining positive distinctiveness over people in other of structures or buildings. Norberg-Schulz (1980) in settlements as well as in providing and maintaining his discussion of the theory of identity and place, individual’s continuity, self-esteem and self-efficacy. emphasized concrete things with material sub- Collectively, place identity can be defined stance, shape, texture and colour in defining place. differently by either the ways people expressed iden- Moreover, place definition also includes any fixed tifications with reference to the physical environ- part of an historic environment with a distinctive ment or the distinctiveness of the environment itself. identity (English Heritage 2008). The extent of place However the most important part of identity accord- in building identity can be found by considering the ing to Shuhana (2011:18), relates to ‘…distinctive- place as whole entities or fusions of physical fea- ness of the physical environment and the ability for tures, and activities to which people have deep it to be recognized and recalled vividly by the emotional and psychological ties (Relph 1976). The observer’. For the purpose of this paper, place following notion of place by Donat (1967) reflect- identity is confined to the unique or distinct charac- ed the concept of identity: ter of a place. Regardless of size, every city or town has “Places occur at all levels of identity; my place, beauty, unique and distinct characteristics of its your place, street, community, town, city, coun- own. Nevertheless, despite having rich historical ty, region, country and continent, but places and architectural reserves, towns of a small scale in never conform to the tidy hierarchies of classifi- South-East Asian countries including Malaysia have cation. They all overlap and interpenetrate one been relatively overlooked (Jackson 1973). another and are wide open to a variety of inter- According to Yuksel & Iclal (2005), they are now pretation”. subject to the triple threat of dilapidation, exhaus- tion and disappearance. In Malaysia, this problem The combination of physical setting, activities and is further exacerbated by the absence of specific meanings as constituent elements of place is cen- legislation that deals directly with the development tral for identity formation, and this will be discussed and conservation of small historic towns. However, in the following section. this does not necessarily imply that the town has no significance (English Heritage 2008). In places where the overall significance and importance is 2.2 Place identity unclear and poorly understood, detailed study and analysis involving assessment of cultural signifi- The term place identity has its roots in the associa- cance should be undertaken. This should lead to tion between place and the concept of identity preparation of a statement of significance estab- (Hauge 2007; Twigger-Ross & Uzzell 1996). lishing the particular value of the place (Australia Despite the lack of attention to the influence of the ICOMOS 2000). The former particularly entails the physical built environment on identity, the concept determination of the elements that made the places open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 5 4 identifiable together with the values they hold According to Norsidah (2010), attributes of physi- (Pearson & Sullivan 1995). cal environment in making places accessible, more These discussions of place identity raise the readable, unique, and comfortable including phys- question of what are the contributing elements of ical, environmental and psychological comfort play the identity of a place. Relph (1976) and Shuhana a vital role in influencing the identity of a place. & Norsidah (2008) identified the physical setting, Despite the plethora of notions on what the activities, and the meanings given by intentions constitutes place distinctiveness, many authors have as three fundamental components that constitute referred to these vivid or unique characters of the the very individuality of places. This notion is also historic buildings present in heritage places supported by Hauge (2007) who emphasized the (Heritage of Malaysia Trust 2011; Mansfield 2008; importance of place in identity development by Kamarul Syahril et al. 2008; Noor Suzaini, 2007; means of physical settings, as well as social, psy- Goad & Ngiom, 2007; Logan et al. 2002; chological and cultural meanings attached to it. Muhamad Khairuddin, 1996; Syed Zainol, 1996). Kamarul Syahril et al. (2008) and Syed Zainol (1996) for instance, argued that historic buildings 2.2.1 El ements of place identity which are of immense architectural and historical Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur value provide a sense of identity and continuity, 2.2.1.1Physical elements and activities especially in the face of globalization. Along with collective memory and social value, historic urban One of the most significant elements influencing features are believed to be salient sources for both the identity of places is the physical form of human local and national identity (Goad & Ngiom 2007; works. According to Oktay (2002:261) cities, like Mansfield 2008). According to Logan (2002), cul- individuals, should have character and distinctions; tural heritage has been used to create the sense of like individuals, this flavor is made up of numerous identity in several Asian countries such as China, characteristics, or identifiable elements. As support- Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. For a small town, ed by Shuhana (2011), distinct elements present in Muhamad Khairuddin (1996) argued that the phys- a place are the qualities that one should consider ical elements of the old historical buildings make when describing identity. For Stubbs (2004), these the most significant contribution in conferring on may include familiar landmarks and neighbour- such a town its unique image. Thus, it is evident that hoods. The Ministry of Housing and Local built heritage does not only contribute to national Government (2010) provides some examples of but also local distinctiveness (Heritage of Malaysia the former, such as natural features of outstanding Trust 2011). beauty, iconic buildings, activity nodes, heritage Therefore, the most enduring justification routes with rich memories and gathering places for considering historic buildings as physical indica- people can easily identify and be proud of. tors of place identity has been their conservation; in Furthermore, Izuandi (2010) highlighted itself which is largely inspired by its role in instigat- ten physical elements of townscapes that are critical ing, preserving and promoting the identity of a in constructing identity for a town. These specifical- place (Arazi et al. 2010; Kamarul Syahril et al. ly refer to the enclosure, or outdoor room, gate- 2008; Lee & Lim 2010; Noor Amila et al. 2010; ways and changes of level, closed vistas, deflection, Suhana et al. 2011). While it is true that the archi- incident, punctuation, narrowing, fluctuation, pro- tectural distinctiveness of historic buildings height- jection or recession, and the public and private ens the sense of place, it is the meaning or values space of the town. Similarly, the value of townscape embedded in places that bind people intimately as opined by Feilden (2005) depends upon ensem- and make ordinary places unique from elsewhere bles of buildings, the spaces they stand in, roads, (Chang 2010; The Getty Conservation Institute public spaces, and the views from significant refer- 2000). The latter is discussed in the following sec- ence points and vistas. From a historical perspec- tion. tive, Shuhana (2011) offered some expansion of the concept by referring to an historic townscape as an area with historical significance, which enriches 2.2.1.2 Meanings and values people’s sensory experience through many of its heritage buildings as well as the on-going tradi- The articulation of identity is also related to the feel- tional activities. ings and perceptions developed through experi- Relph (1976) argued that the physical envi- ences people have with a place (Hauge 2007; ronment provides the backdrop to activities of the Norsidah 2010; Relph 1976; Shuhana 2011). people, yet the inverse is also true in which it is Arreola (1995) argued that the readiness and dis- complemented and influenced by such activities. tinctiveness of physical structures are essential pre- open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 5 5 requisites for building identity but people’s percep- 1995). Diversity in interpretation of the values tions or meanings always form the very basis for this embedded in cultural property (as illustrated in construct. According to Harner (2001), identity Table 1) is therefore needed to simply establish building could be achieved through the process of some ground in finding agreement for these values. hegemony, or to be more precise, creation of place In most instances, there is a great overlap among identity when meaning of a place for the majority of the values devised among individuals from different its residents matches the ideological beliefs of those disciplines and backgrounds. For instance, scientif- in power. However, it does not imply that those with ic or technological value outlined in Feilden’s (as an power necessarily determine the meanings of a architect) typology of value is minimized in the cat- place as the process is about dominance obtained egory suggested by Mason (as preservationist) as it by consent rather than coercion or counter-hege- is seen to be derived from historical value. mony. Despite the diversity of notions of value, it As discussed in Section 2.2, meanings, is noted that they are largely based on the definition physical form and intensity of activities constitute of cultural significance by the Australian distinctiveness and uniqueness of a place. This dis- ICOMOS’s Burra Charter 1999. The Charter stat- Nur Farhana Azmi, Faizah Ahmad. Azlan Shah Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur tinctiveness in turn develops multiple experiences, ed that the terms aesthetic, historic, scientific and meanings and emotions among people, which social can encompass all other values (Australia Puren et al. (2008) referred to as a sense of place. ICOMOS 2000). This statement can be seen from The term which is referred to as place attachment in the real international practice for local heritage other studies (Lewicka 2008; Marcouyeux & Fleury- place assessment. As demonstrated in Table 2, the Bahi 2011; Shuhana & Norsidah 2008) is com- four values of the Burra Charter are essentially used monly referred to as positive-affective bonds to a as main criteria in assessing local heritage places place. across Australia and England. Similarly, in discussing the concept in the Similarly in Malaysia, the criteria outlined historical context, Graham et al. (2009) advocated under Section 67 of the National Heritage Act 2005 that the senses of place developed by heritage are also found to be consistent with the four gener- places are mostly positive. The significant role in ic values given in the interpretation of cultural sig- creating the sense of place was noted as one of the nificance in the Charter. Nevertheless, while being inherent qualities of historic places (Pearson & too broad to be used in real assessment practices Sullivan 1995; Rodwell 2007). For the Heritage in Malaysia, the criteria are only pertinent for Council of Western Australia (2012), local people’s assessing places at the national level and thus, not positive sense of place and identity is developed readily adapted for local use (Heritage of Malaysia when the place is felt significant by the inhabitants Trust 2007). The absence of provision for their for social, cultural, educational or spiritual reasons. identification and protection in some cases causes This implies that it is the cultural significance that the significance of locally significant places to be makes places unique and valued by the communi- underestimated. Nevertheless, it is argued in this ty and society as a whole. Therefore, retaining the paper that the assessment of cultural significance cultural significance of a place becomes the ulti- and preparation of the statement of significance are mate aim of conservation (Heritage of Malaysia the right steps to be undertaken in establishing Trust 2007; Australia ICOMOS 1999; Pearson & value for these places. Therefore, comparing the Sullivan 1995; the Getty Conservation Institute value with existing criteria for assessment as has 2000). been devised in Australia and England, can make The cultural heritage value of a place is not the process more efficient and hence be a bridge to static, it is multi-faceted and dependent on human value establishment. perceptions (Mason 2002; Pearson & Sullivan Further to this, it is imperative to have some 1995). However, there is no internationally agreed idea of what the criteria mean before the assess- typology of values, nor any definitive method for ment takes place. The Burra Charter, as argued by assessing them (Mason 2002; Pearson & Sullivan Pearson & Sullivan (1995), is widely accepted and

Table 1. Diverse categories of heritage values developed by different stakeholders. open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 5 6 Table 2. Criteria for assessment of local heritage places in Australia and England. therefore it is ‘…helpful, where appropriate, to use identify, people often mistakenly believe that places the terms and processes laid down there’. It is worth are socially valuable for amenity reasons.

noting that the headings of the criteria below are Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur also drawn from the Burra Charter 1999: Of the four organizations reviewed in Table 2 above, only the Heritage Council of South Australia (i) Aestheti c val ue considers economic value as one of the criteria in A place with aesthetic value is important in demon- assessing places that are important to their locality. strating creative or design excellence, decoration or Mason, (2002) argued that economic value is often craftsmanship, and particular taste, style or tech- taken for granted because it differs from other cul- nology. Therefore, it often exhibits landmark quali- tural values established in the traditional modes of ties and subsequently makes a contribution to the assessment process. Notwithstanding the fact, important vistas and the overall quality of a setting. this paper tends to address economic value as one According to Mason (2002), this value may also be of the important criteria to be considered, especial- derived from the sensory experience (smell, sound, ly in the face of globalization. As modernization or feeling, and sight) of a place. globalization brings about much strain on old his- torical reserves present in a particular place (Tung (ii) Historic value 2001), there must be an economic opportunity for A place may have historic value if it is associated these historical buildings to continue to be revered with past events, developments or cultural places and preserved (Tiesdell et al. 1996). that are significant to the place’s history, epitomizes Moreover, the term ‘valuable’ which often technical or creative achievement from a particular correlates to historical reserves itself holds these period, or has strong association with the life or resources to be meaningful in economic globaliza- works of a person, group of persons or organiza- tion (Rypkema 2002). This is especially true when tion in shaping that place. The existences of physi- linking heritage conservation with tourism (Chang cal evidence of such association do strengthen and 2010; Henderson 2002; Rypkema 2001; 2002; contribute to the claimed historical significance. Feilden 2005). This notion can be seen in Henderson’s (2002) work in which a majority of the (iii ) Scientific value principal urban heritage places found in the former A place of scientific value (also variously called colonial cities of Malacca and Penang in Malaysia research, archaeological or informational value) and also Singapore are transformed into places for should demonstrate a likelihood of providing new tourists to visit; though it might regard as a new or further substantial information that will contribute form of imperialism. Clearly, it is wise to preserve to an understanding of people regarding their past the quality of irreplaceable historic resources while history, culture, environment, behaviour, earlier obtaining revenue from them. technology or architecture.

(iv) Social value 3.0 Methodology A place included under this criterion must be of importance in its association with a community or The methodology used in identifying the unique cultural group in a particular area for social, cul- and exceptional characteristics of a place involves tural, educational or spiritual reasons. For this rea- an extensive literature review on the concepts of son, it tends to develop local’s positive sense of place, place identity, and both physical and ideo- place and identity. In contrast with other values, logical components of the identity of places. social value is less dependent on the survival of Different kinds of materials used include the official physical fabric. While being the hardest criterion to documents published by government and private open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 5 7 Nur Farhana Azmi, Faizah Ahmad. Azlan Shah Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur

Figure 1. Location of Kuala Kubu Bharu town.

agencies, journals, theses, newspapers, and other 19th century. The old Kuala Kubu town was totally mass media outputs. The in-depth literature review destroyed in the late 19th century, when a heavy attempts to highlight exceptional characteristics of downpour caused the dam over Sungai Selangor to places which together act to create unique environ- burst and flood the town. That however was not the ments and make a continuing contribution to the end of the town, as it gave a noticeable impetus for overall sense of the place. This review is subse- the development of the new township of Kuala quently complemented by the preliminary survey of Kubu Baru (‘baru’ means new in the Malay lan- the small town of Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) in the guage). The town is located in the northeastern part Hulu Selangor district of Selangor, Malaysia. In this of the state of Selangor in sub-district of Ampang survey, a standardized survey form was used to pecah (Figure 1). Located at a very strategic loca- ensure consistency of the information collected. As tion near the state border, KKB has become a key outlined in Section 2.2.1.2, places need to meet at transit point for tourists who are heading to Fraser’s least one of the pre-defined criteria drawn on Hill in the state of Pahang, while also being a tourist guidelines published in Australia and England to be destination in itself. identified as locally significant places in the town. It The town environment is a mixture of built is anticipated that questionnaire surveys of how and non-built land uses including institutional, resi- local and non-local residents perceive these places dential, low-density commercial area, and green and interviews with various stakeholders regarding spaces. KKB was the first town in the Federated protection measures and established legislations Malay States planned with a Garden City concept impacting development of small Malaysian town in 1930 by Malaya’s first town planner, Charles will form the next stage of the study. Crompton Reade. Through the concept, ample space was reserved in the town for a park belt sep- arating the central shopping and trading areas 3.1 Back ground of case study from the main residential area. Specifically, this was achieved by having a strict grid-iron pattern of Kuala Kubu Bharu or KKB, an old town built during streets in laying out the shophouses. Thus the lay- the colonial period is still very much a sleepy hol- out of the lush park belt and government housing low. The name Kuala Kubu originated from Sungai areas give the town a spacious feeling. The former Kubu which is one of the tributaries of Sungai is found to be the unique feature of the town, as it Selangor. The town was well known as the second cannot be found in either new or traditional towns biggest town in the State of Selangor; and was of Malaya (Figure 2). Originally to cater for recre- famous for its tin mining activities during the mid- ational purposes, the concept is also found to be open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 5 8 Figure 2. View towards the park belt Nur Farhana Azmi, Faizah Ahmad. Azlan Shah Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur

useful in precluding increased development and ment, separation of areas by use, and the natural urban sprawl (Noriati 2000). This is presumably landscape view. Overall, the importance of the evident as the KKB town has sidestepped the main- physical or Garden City design elements in KKB, stream of development and remained largely both natural and man-made, create a distinctive untouched by modern developments. atmosphere for the town. The built part of the town largely consists of old institutional, commercial and residential build- ings. KKB is close not only to the hearts of local res- 4.0 Resul ts and discu ssi ons idents but also to the city dwellers of Kuala Lumpur, as for many years it has played host to them as a KKB was dubbed after its Special Area Plan refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life. As dis- ‘Garden City Heritage’. As the name suggests, his- cussed in Section 2.1, a place is not only charac- torical reserves of the town can also be considered terized by physical characteristics but also mean- as one of the significant components that shape the ings and feelings people have with a particular set- identity and character of the town. The distribution ting. This small town although looking a bit run of the 145 heritage buildings surveyed in KKB town down, still bears the vestiges of the pre-war era. It is summarized in Table 3, based on the criteria silently holds many untold stories of the past histo- established in Section 2.2.1.2. Also, their location ry, and thus needs to be studied and investigated is shown by red shading in Figure 4. Categorization further. of the buildings in Table 3 is based on the Heritage To date much of Reade’s original layout is of Malaysia Trust’s (1990) analytical framework for still in place and so are the elements that make up recording and documenting historically important the original concept. These include the striking fea- buildings in Malaysia. tures of the park belts and playgrounds, low densi- ty housing, visually attractive tree-planting treat-

Table 3. The values of heritage buildings in Kuala Kubu Bharu town. open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 5 9 away by the massive flood. These pre-war buildings also continue to be valued for their economic role. Although the buildings have not been well-main- tained in recent years, they still function as venues for different commercial activities; supporting local retail and improving the employment opportunities for the locals. While constantly drawing people into the area, these activities also support the liveliness and attraction of the town as a whole. In line with the criteria discussed in Section 2.2.1.2, the repre- sentation of British Neo-Classical style, association with early development of the town and the contin- uing traditional use of the buildings make major contribution to the claimed architectural, historical and economic significance of the shophouses.

Nur Farhana Azmi, Faizah Ahmad. Azlan Shah Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur Figure 3. Pre-war shophouses The term ‘other’ in Table 3 incorporates The survey revealed that more than half of buildings that are no longer in use or are simply the buildings are used for commercial purposes (99 abandoned, many of which are the single and buildings). In particular, these are comprised shop- semi-detached government quarters along Jalan houses which are mostly 80 years old, double- Hospital and Jalan Syed Mashor. The old fire sta- storey, and rich in contrasts. Apart from the variety tion located within the vicinity of the historic shop- of façades of different styles, the covered passage- houses is also classified under this category (Figure way in front of the shophouses, commonly known 5). The building has recently been refurbished to be as the five-foot-way or in the Malay language converted into a tourist visitor centre but as yet this called kaki lima, gives the buildings their unique has not been fully accomplished. character and therefore can be both nostalgic and The very notion of heritage is deeply root- charming (Figure 3). Historically, these old shop- ed in historical value. This is illustrated as almost all houses were built from 1928 onwards and there- (141 buildings) surveyed buildings in KKB are fore are significant by association with the begin- found to be significant to the locality’s history. Fine ning of the new KKB, after the old ones were swept examples of this value include the Al-Hidayah

Figure 4. Distribution of the identified built heritage in KKB. open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 6 0 Nur Farhana Azmi, Faizah Ahmad. Azlan Shah Ali Shah Azlan Ahmad. Faizah Azmi, Farhana Nur

Figure 5. Old fire station. Mosque and the old police station. The former is monly known by locals, is the first police station believed to be the only surviving building from the constructed in KKB town. This two storey pre-war original Kuala Kubu town and has played a major building is an important place in the political histo- role in the contributing towards the well-being of ry of the town, and is significant for its association the Muslim community in the town (Figure 6). The with the opening of the new KKB after the old one old police station or Balai Polis Lama, as it is com- was destroyed by the flood. Apart from its historic

Figure 6. Al-Hidayah mosque. open house international Vol.39 No.4, December 2014. Place Identity: A Theoretical Reflection. Theoretical A Identity: Place 2014. December No.4, Vol.39 international house open 6 1 value, the eclectic elements of its architectural 6.0 REFERENCES design, such as the keystone shaped arch and the arcades on the ground floor, add to the aesthetic ARAZI, I., FARIS, K. and MAHMOUD, S. 2010, Maintenance qualities of the building. The design concept of this management framework for conservation of heritage buildings police station which reflects the influence of Malay in Malaysia, Modern Applied Science, 4:11, 66-77. and European architecture essentially qualified the building as one of the unique and valuable land- ARREOLA, D.D. 1995, Urban ethnic landscape identity, marks in KKB town. Thus it meets the criteria i of Georgraphical Review, 85:4, 518-534. aesthetic value outlined in Section 2.2.1.2. AUSTRALIA ICOMOS 2000, The Australia ICOMOS charter for places of cultural significance: The Burra Charter 1999, 5.0 Conclu sion Burwood, Australia.

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