The Tourist Gaze vs. The Local Gaze:  Translating a Colonial Core into a Post-Colonial Asset

Hidayati Ramli; Siti Balkish Roslan; Emmanuella Fong Yi Khoo

The Tourist Gaze vs. The Local Gaze: Translating a Colonial Core into a Post-Colonial Asset

Hidayati Ramli^*
, Siti Balkish Roslan
, Emmanuella Fong Yi Khoo

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Architecture

Universiti Putra Malaysia
UCSI University

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Proceeding › peer-review

Abstract

This paper examines how Kuala Lumpur's Dataran Merdeka Heritage Area translates a colonial core into a post-colonial tourism asset through the River of Life project. Drawing on a visitor survey (n=155) and a focus group with tourist guides (KLTGA), it finds that while visitors express high aesthetic satisfaction, most lack historical awareness. Crucially, 84.5% accept colonial buildings as emblematic of Malaysian heritage, revealing post-colonial amnesia. The paper argues the project produces a gentrified memory that prioritises spectacle over substance. It concludes by identifying the need for future research enthongraphic approach for a more robust reflection on genuine post-colonial reappropriation or an enduring colonial validation.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	IASTE Working Paper Series: Translating Tradition
Publisher	Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR) Journal
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 2026
Event	IASTE 2026 Shanghai - Translating Traditions - Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Duration: 26 Jun 2026 → 29 Jun 2026 https://iaste.org/iaste-2026-shanghai/#VENUE

Conference

Conference	IASTE 2026 Shanghai - Translating Traditions
Abbreviated title	IASTE
Country/Territory	China
City	Shanghai
Period	26/06/26 → 29/06/26
Internet address	https://iaste.org/iaste-2026-shanghai/#VENUE

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

Keywords

Tourist gaze
Decolonisation
Architecture
Heritage

Cite this

@inproceedings{dc1eb21521e741c8aaf67910d27fe32b,

title = "The Tourist Gaze vs. The Local Gaze: Translating a Colonial Core into a Post-Colonial Asset",

abstract = "This paper examines how Kuala Lumpur's Dataran Merdeka Heritage Area translates a colonial core into a post-colonial tourism asset through the River of Life project. Drawing on a visitor survey (n=155) and a focus group with tourist guides (KLTGA), it finds that while visitors express high aesthetic satisfaction, most lack historical awareness. Crucially, 84.5\% accept colonial buildings as emblematic of Malaysian heritage, revealing post-colonial amnesia. The paper argues the project produces a gentrified memory that prioritises spectacle over substance. It concludes by identifying the need for future research enthongraphic approach for a more robust reflection on genuine post-colonial reappropriation or an enduring colonial validation.",

keywords = "Tourist gaze, Decolonisation, Architecture, Heritage",

author = "Hidayati Ramli and Roslan, \{Siti Balkish\} and Khoo, \{Emmanuella Fong Yi\}",

year = "2026",

language = "English",

booktitle = "IASTE Working Paper Series: Translating Tradition",

publisher = "Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR) Journal",

note = "IASTE 2026 Shanghai - Translating Traditions, IASTE ; Conference date: 26-06-2026 Through 29-06-2026",

url = "https://iaste.org/iaste-2026-shanghai/\#VENUE",

}

The Tourist Gaze vs. The Local Gaze: Translating a Colonial Core into a Post-Colonial Asset. / Ramli, Hidayati; Roslan, Siti Balkish; Khoo, Emmanuella Fong Yi.
IASTE Working Paper Series: Translating Tradition. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR) Journal, 2026.

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Proceeding › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - The Tourist Gaze vs. The Local Gaze: Translating a Colonial Core into a Post-Colonial Asset

AU - Ramli, Hidayati

AU - Roslan, Siti Balkish

AU - Khoo, Emmanuella Fong Yi

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - This paper examines how Kuala Lumpur's Dataran Merdeka Heritage Area translates a colonial core into a post-colonial tourism asset through the River of Life project. Drawing on a visitor survey (n=155) and a focus group with tourist guides (KLTGA), it finds that while visitors express high aesthetic satisfaction, most lack historical awareness. Crucially, 84.5% accept colonial buildings as emblematic of Malaysian heritage, revealing post-colonial amnesia. The paper argues the project produces a gentrified memory that prioritises spectacle over substance. It concludes by identifying the need for future research enthongraphic approach for a more robust reflection on genuine post-colonial reappropriation or an enduring colonial validation.

AB - This paper examines how Kuala Lumpur's Dataran Merdeka Heritage Area translates a colonial core into a post-colonial tourism asset through the River of Life project. Drawing on a visitor survey (n=155) and a focus group with tourist guides (KLTGA), it finds that while visitors express high aesthetic satisfaction, most lack historical awareness. Crucially, 84.5% accept colonial buildings as emblematic of Malaysian heritage, revealing post-colonial amnesia. The paper argues the project produces a gentrified memory that prioritises spectacle over substance. It concludes by identifying the need for future research enthongraphic approach for a more robust reflection on genuine post-colonial reappropriation or an enduring colonial validation.

KW - Tourist gaze

KW - Decolonisation

KW - Architecture

KW - Heritage

M3 - Conference Proceeding

BT - IASTE Working Paper Series: Translating Tradition

PB - Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR) Journal

T2 - IASTE 2026 Shanghai - Translating Traditions

Y2 - 26 June 2026 through 29 June 2026

ER -