Kuching Waterfront and the old markets

Photos show views from the same location - the eastern end of the Ceko old market overlooking
river edges of the Sarawak River. The southern edge (left of photo) is lined with market's buildings, dockyards. Fishing boats unload catches here at the loading docks (shown on second and third photo below). Sampan (small boat shown on the first photo) bring village residents from the northern side of the river to shop at the old markets everyday. Life like this has been going on for nearly a century.

"The wet markets are strategically sited. Boats bringing in produce can unload their goods at the back, while housewives on a shopping expedition approach the airy hall from the road." Quote from Sarawak sketchbook

Check this link to see the proposed plan to turn this stretch of waterfront into another modern leisure paradise which can be anywhere in the world. In other words, is this development necessary ? in the expense of one unique feature of the city? and also erasing city-working river relationship?

See post Kuching old Ceko Market


Kuching Waterfront 2
At Flickr by SamCotton

Photo by Desmond Ong

Photo by Desmond Ong

'Place of No Return' - the Transformation Ahead

If you are already familiar to Kuching's unique character, you can see this proposed development will drastically transform the opposite original waterfront to a planned city like Canberra or Putra Jaya.

http://sarawakdotcom.blogspot.com/2007/11/dewan-undangan-negeri.html

Kuching River Edge

Quality of the river edges still visible from Kuching CBD. The DUN (State Assembly Building) grand plan will drastically change the edges forever.

See links below to see individual photo uploaded at Flickr:
1. Sarawak river ferry, 2. Kuching, 3. Kuching Waterfront 1, 4. Kuching Waterfront 2

Sanctuary Hotel and Mall Kuching development

The building going to replace the current Ceko Market and Brooke Dockyard. The extent of adjacent old shops along Gambier Street and Jalan Pasar affected is unknown. I'd say the larger old precinct is threatened. Large part of Kuching's history will be erased.

See post Old Ceko Market (before)
See post Old Ceko Market (after)
See post Kuching waterfront and the old market
See external link Last day of Ceko Market


See link for more detail:
Kucing Berjanggut: Sanctuary Hotel and mall Kuching

State Assembly Building at the river front #1

Sarawak State Assembly Building (under construct.)
At Flickr by netaholic13

The DUN - Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly building). The bulk size of this building will dominant the skyline of Kuching city. It is built on the site where originally covered with thick vegetation prominently forms the unique image of Kuching. Now with the clearing had been done to the water edge, you can see the beginning of urbanising the other side of the river.

River city and 'working river' study - Palembang

Palembang, second largest city in the Indonesia island of Sumatra is a thriving city. The city is not as modern as Kuching city, still maintains large section of old areas along its river. The Musi is still a working river brings much activities for the city centre in the form of boat transport between both banks is not only crucial for the city's economy and also the identity and livelihood of its people depends on it. River side residents travel to opposite bank the city centre to shops for daily needs; agriculture goods are delivered here via boats; fishing boats docks here and load the daily catch to the markets.

Imagine like other cities in the world Palembang rushes to develop its old waterfront strips into a place of recreation and tourism the 'working river ' activities (as shown on the photos) will be diminished. Boat activities will be moved or centralised in new loading points thus this part of the river will lose its vibrancy. The only boat travel between both banks will be only the sightseeing tourist boat. Businesses on the proximity of river banks depend so much on sales and delivery of goods from boats will be greatly affected.

One of the prominent example is Sydney's diminishing status as 'working harbour'. Debate can be viewed here.

Photos by Desmond Ong

River city study - Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang - "A royal gem, reclining against the mountains and dangling its feet in the river" "Luang Prabang, made a Unesco World Heritage city for both its beautiful buildings and the serenity of its natural surrounds, has become Lao PDR's foremost tourist showpiece" Lonely Planet.

Luang Prabang, a Laos city with current population of 103,000

No other river city in the world has this unique character like Luang Prabang. Nature is the dominant feature. It covers much of the city center and the whole stretch of the riverbank. This portrays image of Laos to the outside world that this country still live in the old world. Timeless and untouched by the modernity.

Urban centre is well integrated with the landscape

Has impressive historic buildings without being imposing but blend well with the existing landscape

Like Kuching, Luang Prabang has good blend of well preserved colonial buildings and local architecture, set against rivers and mountains of beautiful natural beauty, which led to Luang Prabang designation as a World Heritage site in 1995. As the result of such an early recognition before the country's opening to outside world has effectively protected the old city and its beautiful surrounds from the ravages of hasty development.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang

Kuching riverfront view from the hotel [2]

Original photo is posted at Flickr. This is one of the most important shot found. It shows the typical view from hotel room facing the Sarawak river (north to north western view) (map and views diagram coming soon). Taken on a sunny day the context are clearly visible. The owner of this photo and also the previous shot had made a comment about her preference of the trees area on the opposite bank (right) remains untouched. In favour to this, the shot has been panned to the left to exclude the new nearly completed - the Assembly Building which can be seen from the previous photo (go to post). This photo represents Kuching's originally character.

Kuching from our hotelroom II
Originally uploaded by MeElisa

Kuching riverfront view from the hotel [1]

Original photo is posted at Flickr. This is one of the most important shot found. It shows the typical view from hotel room facing the Sarawak river (north to north western view) (map and views diagram coming soon). Taken on a sunny day the context are clearly visible. The owner of this photo and also the proceeding shot had made a comment about her preference of the trees area on the opposite bank remains untouched. The current condition shows the new nearly completed building - the Assembly Building is actually changing the quality of the existing aspect forever.

Kuching from our hotelroom I
Originally uploaded by MeElisa