Local community perception on the preservation of Victoria Bridge as a heritage tourism attraction in Karai, Perak

One of Malaysia's most recognizable examples of colonial industrial history is Victoria Bridge in Karai, Perak, which represents the engineering prowess and infrastructure aspirations of the British colonial era (Museum Volunteers Malaysia, 2021). The bridge, which was built in 1900 at the height of Perak's tin mining boom, was formerly an essential connection between the export hubs along the west coast and the tin-producing centres in the Kinta Valley (Free Malaysia Today, 2024). Beyond its aesthetic value, the bridge serves as a physical link to the socioeconomic changes that influenced Perak's industrial identity and regional growth (Atlas Obscura, 2025).Today, preserving Victoria Bridge goes beyond simple conservation; it is an endeavour to bring Perak's colonial industrial past back to life and incorporate it into modern heritage and industrial tourist plans. Perak wants to use its railway, mining, and industrial heritage assets to draw specialized tourism markets and empower local communities, as stated in recent state initiatives (Peira et al., 2022; Mohd-Isa, 2011). An example of sustainable heritage management is the bridge's adaptive reuse as a cultural and tourism landmark, which supports economic diversification in Karai and Kuala Kangsar while fostering a sense of pride and identity among the local population (Idrus et al., 2010; Bhati, 2014).Three primary approaches will be used in the research: a review of the literature to look at earlier studies and historical records; site surveys and in-person observations to evaluate the physical state and interactions with visitors; and a questionnaire survey to look at public perception, awareness, and involvement in the conservation process (IRAJ, 2016). By using these strategies, the project hopes to demonstrate how Victoria Bridge's preservation might function as a template for incorporating colonial industrial heritage into Perak's modern industrial tourism framework, promoting long-term cultural and economic renewal.