Towards Formulating Urban Cultural Heritage Conservation Strategies in the Former Tin Mining Towns in Lembah Kinta, Perak

The existence of old former tin mining towns are invaluable asset in the country for people to understand the cultural and historical essence of a place and its people.The formation of former tin mining towns in Malaysia related closely to the development of economy activities which shows the mix cultural development between races, invention of buildings, transportation routes and accessibility which developed the early tin mining industry, port city and work as a state administrative centre. However, the conservation efforts in most of these towns were neglected due to rapid urbanization, uncontrolled urban encroachment which jeoperdized the old towns whilst the social structure and urban distinctiveness become dilapidated. Therefore, this paper focuses on how the conservation of ex-tin mining town in Malaysia which could contribute to safekeeping Malaysian cultural heritage entities in order to regenerate cultural heritage entity especially in Perak. Pekan Papan, Perak has been chosen as a Case Study due to its distinctive characteristics as an early tin mining town and its historical significance of Malaysia’s economy activities and attribution to mix cultural heritage. The qualitative method based on Case study, observation and non-structured interview were used to explore, identify and evaluate the tangible elements in the selective extin mining old towns as a cultural heritage resources by reviewing the definitions and concept of physical characters and cultural value which contribute to the identity of a place. The analysis of the research are based on thematic analysis which based of the old town’s physical characteristic comprised of urban structure and Architectural features and its interrelationship with distinctive local culture activities which created an awareness on the cultural heritage value and determined the formulation of an urban cultural heritage strategies for the former tin mining towns in Malaysia.