COVER FEATURE
INGENIEUR
Importance of Heritage Impact Assessment in Infrastructure Projects
By Datin Ar Junn Ng Director of Architecture and Conservation CGB Consultants Sdn Bhd
The streetscape and visual impact of the heritage buildings on Jalan Tun Perak , after the construction of the LRT alignment .
In the building of every nation known to history ,
infrastructure projects usually take the lead in order to stimulate economic growth . However , we see many railways , elevated highways and bridges constructed with little or no consideration for the impact they might have on heritage resources , be they local or international .
This was the case with Malaysia ’ s first Light Rail Transit line ( LRT ), which was constructed in the mid-1990s , where the elevated alignment passes through downtown Kuala Lumpur , travelling along the historical street of Jalan Tun Perak . This street is flanked by a series of magnificent heritage buildings such as the Jamek Mosque ( 1909 ), the former FMS Survey Office ( 1910 ) and the Oriental Building ( 1932 ), to name a few . Younger generations are unaware that the original name of Jalan Tun Perak was Java Street , named after the Javanese merchants and traders that used to flood the area as early as the mid-1850s . By the 1900s , Java Street was renamed Mountbatten Road and it was the busiest European shopping street , filled
6 VOL 85 JANUARY - MARCH 2021