Site Analysis - Guiding Gallery, River of Life (ROL) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Location

Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

Map location on guiding gallery

The river that surrounds Sultan Abdul Samad and Masjid Jamek, the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur, was part of the River of Life project launched by the former government in 2012.
Other than Sultan Abdul Samad building and the mosque, this river is also surrounds with other historical places in the city.
It is also one of tourist attraction area.

About river of life

The ROL project, launched in July 2011, is to transform the Klang River into a vibrant and liveable waterfront with high economic value.

It is a seven-year project headed by the Government of Malaysia to transform the Klang River into a vibrant and liveable waterfront with high economic value. Covering eight rivers with total length of 110km, this project is divided into three major components:

River Cleaning
River Beautification
Commercialisation and Tourism

River of life

Therefore, as a result of that project, the “convergence point” of Klang and Gombak rivers was named the best waterfront in the world by the British online news portal.

The "convergence point" means a meeting place: a town at the convergence of two rivers.

Site issues

It was said that the River of Life project did not address heritage conservation, even though it exaggerated the areas around Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak.
The academic who was on the panel of judges appointed by the government was disappointed when they visited the site because they thought it was the most expensive and ambitious river cleaning project in the international press.
When they arrived there, they pointed out that the mist and the fountains were piped water, and the river was still muddy.
There are only a few plants, low water quality and poor sustainable materials.
The problem with RoL is how the money was invested, but it's still a really important project. They can't assume that the project is a failure when there are more people out there than before when it was a dumping site. The quality of the water has improved, but minimally.

Site problems

The historic buildings along the river and the river itself are not maintained and integrated to preserve heritage value.
The rivers are not suitable for water transport because of the dimension and size of the river is too small.
And if the river were extended in the future, bridges over the river are too low for boats to pass through.
The site don’t have a proper pedestrian and bicycle installed.

Site benefits

Guiding gallery

Instead of a boat ride down the river for touring and sightseeing of historical buildings, people can experience the site by walking along the river.
Not only do they admire the surrounding historical buildings, but they also value the river by the experience and touch of the river.
This location not only offers the river the opportunity to filter water naturally, but also to implement a sustainable water management system to improve the quality of storm water on-site.

Neighbourhood context

Zoning and size

Legal information

The value of heritage site

From the research Experts say the River of Life project has failed to address the conservation of heritage even though it has beautified the areas surrounding Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak.

Heritage buildings are valuable public properties that belong to the whole community. However, rapid urban development has added pressures to the conservation of these buildings.

River of life

Under law of act 645

Care of heritage site

38. (1) Where a heritage site is situated on an alienated land, the Commissioner may after consultation with the State Authority—

(a) make arrangements with the owner or occupier for the inspection, maintenance, conservation and preservation of the heritage site;

(b) purchase or lease the heritage site;

of any written law relating to the acquisition of land for

a public purpose; or

(d) remove the whole or any part of a building or monument

on the heritage site.

(2) Where the owner or occupier agrees to such arrangements under paragraph 1(a), the Commissioner may make a contribution towards the costs of carrying out any works of repair or conservation which is deemed necessary.

(3) Where a contribution towards the costs of carrying out the works is made, such works shall be carried out in accordance with the direction of the Commissioner.

(4) The Commissioner shall make good any damage done to the site or to monument by the removal of any monument under paragraph 1(d) and may agree to the payment of any compensation to the owner of the site.

(5) Any dispute as to the amount of compensation shall be referred to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

Material maintenance

The Turkish floral tiles are covered with moss. Its marble steps are cracked and the cobblestone pathway of Jalan Mah-kamah Persekutuan are loose and crumbling under the heat.

We hope the relevant authorities responsible for the maintenance will take a proactive approach in cleaning, repairing and utilise the available space.

Under law of act 53

1. Any material used-

a) In the erection of the building;

b) in the structural alteration or extension of a building;

c) in the execution of works or the installation of the fittings, being works or fittings to which any provision of these BY-LAW applies;

d) for the backfilling of any excavations on a site in the connection with any building or works or fittings to which any provision of these BY-LAW applies, shall be-

aa) of a suitable nature and quality in relation to the purposes for and conditions in which they’re used;

bb) adequately mixed or prepared;and

cc) applied, used or fixed so as to adequately perform the functions for which they are designed.

2) The use of any material or any method of mixing or preparing materials or of applying, which confirms with a Standard Specification or code of practice prescribing the quality of material or standards of workmanship shall be deemed to be sufficient compliance with the requirement by law-53. If the use of material or the method is appropriate for the purpose and conditions in which it used.