Urban development pressures and cultural heritage preservation in Ipoh: sustaining the legacy of a historic city

Ipoh Old Town is recognised for its colonial architecture, rich tin-mining heritage, and historic streets, which continually attract an increasing number of visitors. Nonetheless, the swift advancement of urban development and the rise in tourism-related activities have heightened the strain on the historic urban fabric, prompting worries about the safeguarding of cultural heritage and the maintenance of urban identity. This research explores the effects of urban development pressures on the conservation of heritage in Ipoh Old Town, particularly highlighting Concubine Lane, Market Street, and Panglima Lane. A quantitative research approach was utilised, incorporating structured questionnaire surveys and systematic site observations to evaluate public perception and the observable physical changes within the streetscape. A descriptive statistical analysis along with Spearman’s rank correlation was employed to investigate the relationships among visit frequency, perceptions of the impacts of urban development, and physical changes. The results reveal that individuals who frequented Ipoh Old Town exhibited a greater awareness of its heritage value and articulated more significant concerns about urban development that does not align with the area's historical character. The primary concerns that have been identified encompass alterations to façades, an overabundance of commercial signage, and a lack of visual coherence at the street level. The results of site observations indicate notable spatial differences in development pressure, where streets with increased visitor activity exhibit more significant physical changes. While the correlation analysis did not produce statistically significant findings, the trends observed indicate a potential directional relationship between the intensity of visitation and the degree of physical change. The study underscores the importance of implementing planning strategies that are sensitive to heritage, reinforcing the enforcement of development control guidelines, and fostering greater public awareness. These measures are essential for the long-term preservation of the historic character of Ipoh Old Town in the face of ongoing urban development.