Generally, no individual would oppose the government's plan to improve public transportation, especially in the ever congested roads of Kuala Lumpur. The Sg Buloh – Klang 51 km MRT line, is to date, Malaysia’s most extensive public infrastructure with 27 elevated and 7 underground stations. The line will connect Kuala Lumpur’s city center, passing under some of the capital city’s oldest areas, namely Petaling Street, which till this day remains a favorite among locals and tourists alike. However, traders and shop owners in this historic vicinity expressed outrage over the government’s plan to acquire their properties. To date, over 30 units have been served compulsory acquisition notices to make way for the MRT project.
Petaling Street has a deep historical and cultural value for the capital. It was one of the first settlements for the Chinese arriving into then Malaya. Yap Ah Loy, the 19th century “Kapitan Cina”, opened a tapioca mill in Petaling Street where the tubers from his farms were brought to be ground into flour. Petaling Street is still fondly known as “Chee Cheong Kai” in Cantonese, or “Tapioca Mill Street.” The MRT project foresee the demolition of these beautiful heritage buildings, including some landmark structures such as the Yook Woo Hin restaurant mentioned in many travel guides and famed for its mooncakes, as well as the Lok Ann Hotel and the Yan Ken Cantonese opera house.
Successful urban planning should take into consideration a balanced and sustainable development. Besides the physical and materialistic facets - cultural, heritage and environmental aspects need to be considered in urban planning. In addition, Petaling Street is within walking distance from the Pasar Seni LRT station of the Kelana Jaya line and the Maharajalela Monorail station, which questions the need for a MRT station within such close proximity. I sincerely hope that the heritage buildings along Petaling Steet would not be affected by the MRT project as their existence will only heighten our country’s image as a world class metropolitan city in its own mould.
Charanpirabu 09UJB06446
Foo Hui Bin 09UJB07082
Harpal Singh Olikh 09UJB07019
Tan Chen Ee 09UJB00783
Petaling Street has a deep historical and cultural value for the capital. It was one of the first settlements for the Chinese arriving into then Malaya. Yap Ah Loy, the 19th century “Kapitan Cina”, opened a tapioca mill in Petaling Street where the tubers from his farms were brought to be ground into flour. Petaling Street is still fondly known as “Chee Cheong Kai” in Cantonese, or “Tapioca Mill Street.” The MRT project foresee the demolition of these beautiful heritage buildings, including some landmark structures such as the Yook Woo Hin restaurant mentioned in many travel guides and famed for its mooncakes, as well as the Lok Ann Hotel and the Yan Ken Cantonese opera house.
Successful urban planning should take into consideration a balanced and sustainable development. Besides the physical and materialistic facets - cultural, heritage and environmental aspects need to be considered in urban planning. In addition, Petaling Street is within walking distance from the Pasar Seni LRT station of the Kelana Jaya line and the Maharajalela Monorail station, which questions the need for a MRT station within such close proximity. I sincerely hope that the heritage buildings along Petaling Steet would not be affected by the MRT project as their existence will only heighten our country’s image as a world class metropolitan city in its own mould.
Foo Hui Bin 09UJB07082
Harpal Singh Olikh 09UJB07019
Tan Chen Ee 09UJB00783
Other than the first word "generally", i like it, hehe :)
ReplyDeletecheers,
Bryan