View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Repository@USM 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (ICBEDC 2008) PILOT SURVEY ON THE CONSERVATION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN MALAYSIA Kamarul Syahril Kamal¹, Lilawati Ab Wahab¹ and Assoc. Prof. Dr. A. Ghafar Ahmad² University Technology MARA¹, University Science Malaysia² [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT: Historic buildings basically represents the single most visible aspect of our past history and culture. Like most other countries in the world, Malaysia has a rich legacy of historic buildings with outstanding craftsmanship and architecture quality. They form an impressive historic features and heritage of the past work of man. It is important to conserve and preserve historic buildings because they provide a sense of identity and continuity in a fast changing world for future generations. However some of these buildings are at risk from defects and are not being well cared for due to lack of technical knowledge and high cost of repair and maintenance. The purpose of this paper intends to highlight the existing conditions of historical buildings in Malaysia with the main focus on the conditions of building defects and conservation approach to these buildings. To do so, a pilot survey has been conducted on several heritage towns and cities based on the existing heritage trail in Malaysia. The broad objective of this pilot survey is to examine the level of building defects and the location of building defects that normally occur at various types of historical buildings in Malaysia. At the same time, it will also look into the conservation approaches that has been done to these historical buildings either the method are acceptable according to the basic principles and philosophy of building conservation. It is expected that this paper could contribute some benefits to the owners, consultants, contractors, conservators, various government agencies, heritage body and by all those who concerned with the care and conservation of historic buildings in Malaysia. Keywords: Pilot Survey, Heritage Trail, Historical Buildings, Building Defects, Building Conservation. 1. INTRODUCTION Malaysia’s history is largely embedded in its architecture, social and cultural fabric, and of these the architectural fabric is probably the most enduring one. Recently, the historical building conservation and maintenance can be considered as a popular method use in Malaysia. In fact, historic building is an important element in town development which can be seen in some cities in the world. It plays an important role in defining the landmark within the urban area as well as generating income and boosting the tourism industry. Historic buildings according to Fielden (2000) is one that gives us a sense of wonder and makes us want to know more about people and culture that produced it. From the first act of its creation, through its long life to the present day, historic buildings have artistic and human messages, which will be revealed by a study of its history. A complexity of ideas and of cultures may be said to encircle historic buildings and be reflected in it. Malaysia has a rich legacy of historic buildings, they form an impressive heritage of the past works of man. As documents of the past, historic buildings are important as a source of historical materials as the paper and parchment used by historians. Therefore it is important 104 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (ICBEDC 2008) to conserve and preserve historic buildings because it provides a sense of identity and continuity in a fast changing world. Since the building boom of the 1970s, many of Malaysia’s historic buildings have been demolished. Recent large scale urban development continues to threaten pre-war buildings, while other historic buildings are simply deteriorating due to age, neglect and high cost of maintenance. Fee (1998) expressed that to lose these buildings, however is effectively to obliterate historical memories, and there is now increasing pressure from various segments of the community to conserve the nation’s historical heritage. As we all known that conservation is the action taken to prevent decay, embracing all acts that prolong the life of cultural and natural heritage. Building conservation according to (Fielden, 2000; Insall, 1972) relates specifically to the process of repair, maintenance and restoration of historic buildings which aim to prolong a building’s life and function. In Malaysia, the practice of building conservation is considered new. Laws for historic building conservation are established throughout legislation whereby a national inventory of historic buildings includes lists and schedules of old buildings for protection. Example of historic buildings in Malaysia according to Ahmad (1997) are mosque, churches, palaces, clock towers, prisons, government offices, institutional and commercials, residential, schools, railway stations, hotels, forts and monuments. 2. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH The overall aim of this research is to have specific knowledge associated with defects in Malaysia historical buildings like; to determine the locations, types and causes of defect so that specific action can be carried out to overcome the problems as described before. Meanwhile the overall outcome of this research is to be able to recognize and diagnose defects at each building element in historic buildings. Previously much has been published about building defects, their causes and cures, but unfortunately the information is scattered over a wide range of publications and not easily accessible. There are also a number of excellent texts, studies and research conducted on building defects but these tends to be either highly technical and/or specific to certain type of defects or building materials and did not cover on the overall elements of the buildings. Moreover, the published advice on remedial work often assumes that the cause of the failure is already known; in practice, although the symptoms will be apparent, the under laying factors may be obscure. If a wrong diagnosis is made, the treatment is unlikely to be successful and money will be wasted. Actually there is a need for a guide to study about the defects and aid 105 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (ICBEDC 2008) the correct diagnosis of defects because prevention is better than cure, and something have to be done to reduce the frequency of defects especially to historic buildings by choosing appropriate approaches, methods, techniques and materials. Therefore it is worth to do this research. There are four primary objectives in this research that need to be fulfilled to ensure that the overall aim of this research is achieved. The objectives are as follows: 1. To determine the conditions of building defects at Malaysia historical buildings. 2. To determine whether the historical buildings in Malaysia has been conserved accordingly to the conservation guidelines. 3. To determine the locations of defects at historic buildings. 4. To identify whether the conservation approach has been carried out practically. 3. APPROACH AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The approach used in this research starts with the overview of historic buildings in Malaysia. The literature review is mainly acquired from published books, research papers, seminar papers and journals. The research is further reinforced by formulating a set of questionnaires and handed over to owners or occupants of selected historic buildings in Malaysia. The questionnaire will be tabulated, summarized and analyzed accordingly to the research objectives to obtain findings. The background information of this research is obtained by various methods and the collection of new data is necessary to get the accurate result. The data regarding defects in historic buildings is collected by two main methods as follows: 1. Observations through site survey/pilot survey where data is obtained from a visual inspection of defects at its exact location or based on building elements. 2. Questionnaires as mention before where data is collected by preparing a series of structured questions related to conservation approach at the historical buildings. 4. PILOT SURVEY ON THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN MALAYSIA Building conservation has long been of concern, although its popular application is relatively recent in origin, particularly in Malaysia. In the past few years, many historic buildings have been preserved and conserved while others have been converted to become premises for a bank, restaurant, information centre or a printing office. Malaysia is one of the fortunate countries that have many historic 106 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (ICBEDC 2008) buildings which are of immense architectural and historical value. An inventory study undertaken in 1992 and 1993 by the Heritage Trust of Malaysia in conjunction with the National Museum, the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Faculty of Built Environment, University Technology Malaysia (UTM), reveals that there are near 39,000 historic buildings built between 1800 and 1948 throughout the country which are worthy for preservation and conservation. Buildings built within these periods are classified as ‘pre-war buildings’ due to their year of build, ranging from 1800 to 1948. Listed in Table 1 is the number of ‘pre-war buildings’ located in 247 cities and towns nationwide: Table 1. The Distribution of Pre-War Urban Buildings in Malaysia. No States No of Historical Buildings Percentage of Historical Buildings 1 Penang 5,057 24.30% 2 Perak 3,351 16.10% 3 Johore 2,323 11.20% 4 Malacca 2,177 10.50% 5 Kuala Lumpur 1,763 8.40% 6 Kedah 1,282 6.12% 7 Selangor 1,166 5.60% 8 Sarawak 1,010 4.90% 9 Negeri Sembilan 999 4.80% 10 Pahang 831 4.00% 11 Terengganu 420 2.00% 12 Kelantan 373 1.80% 13 Perlis 25 0.10% 14 Sabah 10 0.05% Total 20,787 100.0% Source: Idid (1995).