IN-PERSON London Heritages. Section A

Abstract

Urban heritage sites in rapidly developing cities are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, urban heat, and environmental degradation. In Malaysia, the historic precinct of Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur — home to iconic landmarks such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Masjid Jamek, and the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers—offers a compelling site to examine the integration of green infrastructure within heritage landscapes. Set against the backdrop of initiatives like the River of Life and heritage trail revitalisations, this paper investigates how green infrastructure can be integrated into heritage conservation to enhance climate resilience, manage flooding, mitigate urban heat, and support biodiversity—while also preserving cultural values and improving public space access. Anchored in landscape and urban planning perspectives, the study considers the challenges of balancing heritage preservation, flood mitigation, and the needs of surrounding communities in a dense tropical metropolis. Using spatial analysis, design observations, and policy review, the paper highlights the potential of heritage landscapes to function not only as cultural assets, but as active systems of ecological and social resilience. It advocates for a forward-looking approach to heritage management—one that embraces adaptation and sustainability without compromising historical integrity. The discussion contributes to a broader discourse on how historic urban precincts in the Global South can serve as living laboratories for innovative, climate-responsive urban futures.