Kuching - an urban portrait: October 2008

About this Site

Kuching, state capital of Sarawak is Malaysia's most pleasant city famed for its old world charm and beautiful setting is currently threatened by badly planned bland development. This relentless development will result the city losing its unique character as well as livelihood of the its people.

These three most important areas are affected :
1. The oldest fresh produce and wet market - Ceko Market precinct
2. The water front precinct
3. The old quarters

The purpose of this blog is give critical review to the current developments and raise public's awareness to understand the important of traditional markets; raise appreciation of the importance of the history and heritage of old quarters and to reconnect public sense of place of their own city.

This blog also questions (applicable to all cities and society) what we mean by beauty, what it means to a city; what does a city need; where it stands in the region and how it represents itself. What and where is the sense of place for the residents, and in what way in today's world we should live.

Perhaps Kuching is just a small city, its mistakes are thus not treated significantly and won't attract regional attention but it is hoped that this blog could acts as a good reference for many other cities around the world amidst uncontrolled urban development.

Please support by passing on this blog site.Thanks [Desmond Ong]

On 15 June 2008, Kuching Ceko market in the heart of the city was shut down for future developments. Hawkers were all relocated to a newly built facility - Stutong market on the outskirt of the city.

The demolition date is still unknown. There is rumours that the hotel-shopping centre development might be aborted and a new scheme might be to extend the waterfront promenade. Whatever development might occur there, the most important heritage of Kuching will be lost forever. Adjacent businesses that closely associated with the markets are considerably affected as well as the livelihood of locals from nearby villages.

See link Kuching Sanctuary Hotel and Mall Kuching development

The market is currently devoid of life like a ghost town. The online article titled 'The last day of Ceko Market' recorded the account of incident around the time before and after the closure of the market. Recommended Read !

See link Old Ceko Market (before)

Below are some of the photos found at Flickr: