Kampung Baru
Malaysia /
Kuala Lumpur /
World
/ Malaysia
/ Kuala Lumpur
/ Kuala Lumpur
World / Malaysia / Selangor
village, invisible
The Last Unique and Historic Enclave in the Middle of the Concrete Jungle
Redevelopment: www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=104282
Established in 1899, the village of Kampung Baru is an island of traditional Malay life in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, ringed by high-rise buildings and traffic jams, preserved for generations by a colonial-era law that gives village elders a veto over any major development. It is also one of the most valuable tracts of land in the capital and is estimated to be worth up to US$1.4 billion. But so far Kampung Baru elders have turned developers away, saying they want to preserve their ethnic Malay lifestyle.
Since 1899, Kampung Baru has become more than a village; its glaring hold-out against development and modern-city living has turned it into a political symbol of Malay culture. It already held a special place for Malay politics during the pro-independence movement that grew up after World War Two. Anti-colonial protests were held here, and founders of Malaysia's dominant political party, the United Malays National Organisation, held their early meetings here. It also played a part in bloody racial clashes between Malays and ethnic Chinese in 1969. The riots started after Chinese-led opposition parties marched through the village to celebrate their victory in general elections of that year.
Today, despite being steeped in history, Kampung Baru has faced government pressure since the 1970s to sell out and allow developers in. Even among the city's Malay community, it is seen as an eyesore, out of keeping with Kuala Lumpur's modern image. Wooden houses on stilts jostle for space with shabby shop-houses and stalls. The village has also become a known area for street crime and minor-drug dealing. The government can simply repeal the law that gives Kampung Baru its special status, but knows this would be deeply unpopular with Malay voters. So far, much controversy continues on its future direction, with those arguing for and trying to profit from wholesale redevelopment at odds with those who desire a more careful and sensitive intervention only where necessary, and enhancing its local tourism appeal.
Redevelopment: www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=104282
Established in 1899, the village of Kampung Baru is an island of traditional Malay life in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, ringed by high-rise buildings and traffic jams, preserved for generations by a colonial-era law that gives village elders a veto over any major development. It is also one of the most valuable tracts of land in the capital and is estimated to be worth up to US$1.4 billion. But so far Kampung Baru elders have turned developers away, saying they want to preserve their ethnic Malay lifestyle.
Since 1899, Kampung Baru has become more than a village; its glaring hold-out against development and modern-city living has turned it into a political symbol of Malay culture. It already held a special place for Malay politics during the pro-independence movement that grew up after World War Two. Anti-colonial protests were held here, and founders of Malaysia's dominant political party, the United Malays National Organisation, held their early meetings here. It also played a part in bloody racial clashes between Malays and ethnic Chinese in 1969. The riots started after Chinese-led opposition parties marched through the village to celebrate their victory in general elections of that year.
Today, despite being steeped in history, Kampung Baru has faced government pressure since the 1970s to sell out and allow developers in. Even among the city's Malay community, it is seen as an eyesore, out of keeping with Kuala Lumpur's modern image. Wooden houses on stilts jostle for space with shabby shop-houses and stalls. The village has also become a known area for street crime and minor-drug dealing. The government can simply repeal the law that gives Kampung Baru its special status, but knows this would be deeply unpopular with Malay voters. So far, much controversy continues on its future direction, with those arguing for and trying to profit from wholesale redevelopment at odds with those who desire a more careful and sensitive intervention only where necessary, and enhancing its local tourism appeal.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampung_Baru,_Kuala_Lumpur
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 3°9'47"N 101°42'30"E
- Kampung Bukit Cherakah Jaya 31 km
- Kampung Bukit Kapar 34 km
- Caledonia Estate (KL Kepong Plantation) 34 km
- Kampung Jenjarom 36 km
- Kampung Batu 9 Kebun Baru 36 km
- Kampung Bukit Changgang 36 km
- Jenjarom 40 km
- Kampung Sijangkang 41 km
- Kampung Perepat 42 km
- Kampung Telok Gong 44 km
- Kampung Baru Muslim Cemetery 0.4 km
- Old Kuala Lumpur 0.7 km
- Race track 1 km
- Kuala Lumpur City Centre 1.2 km
- Chow Kit 1.2 km
- Golden Triangle 1.3 km
- Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve 1.3 km
- Capital Square 1.4 km
- Gombak District 16 km
- Selangor 37 km
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