SHOPHOUSES’ FAÇADE WITH ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTIONS IN KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

Abstract

This article concerns architectural interventions on shophouse facades among the heritage shophouses in the study area of Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The intense urban development in Malaysia brought on by the needs and demands from society has had a significant impact on heritage shophouses. This study raises the issue of the value of the historical shophouse facades, which has been neglected by society and does not match the prominent cultural identity of these buildings. The objective of this paper is to identify architecture interventions and issues influenced on shophouse facades in the study area. The emergence of architectural interventions on shophouse facades was influenced by modernisation of the urban area as well as a lack of awareness from the shophouse owners. In addition, lack of legislation and poor enforcement of existing legislation by the local authority has triggered demolition of shophouse facades. An observation and interview method were applied to obtain the data. Observations were carried out on four selected units of shophouse facades along Jalan Temenggung in the study area. This was combined with interviews with shophouse owners and the local authority in order to achieve the research objectives. The findings revealed that besides natural causes, architectural interventions were caused by poor awareness by the building owners and the local authority; urban growth; and financial constraints. The finding may be useful to many stakeholders such as the shophouse owners themselves, local authority as well as the heritage practitioner in order to sustain and conserve the heritage shophouse as part of the national treasure.