By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 28: Architecture students from Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan are undertaking a study of Kenyalang Park’s history and architecture where their findings are expected to be showcased through drawings, photographs, and written narratives in a series of exhibitions at the historic suburb and the Taoyuan International Design Exhibition 2024.
Led by Associate Professor Chen Hsuan-Cheng and Assistant Wang Jing-Hua, the student group will interview local business owners, traders, and residents to gain a deeper understanding of the community’s unique characteristics.
Their initiative aims to document and share the rich history and collective memories of Kenyalang Park with a global audience.
The group paid a courtesy call on Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng to discuss the area’s history, current challenges and future prospects today.
Briefing them, Wee highlighted that Kenyalang Park, as Kuching’s first satellite town, is experiencing a decline in population due to an ageing demographic and the migration of younger generations.
“In response, the Council has been actively engaging with scholars and professionals to explore strategies for revitalising this beautiful community.
“To address the needs of both the elderly and the younger population, it is important to enhance green spaces in the urban area,” he said in a media release today.
Wee also outlined plans to gradually improve public facilities, not just in Kenyalang Park but throughout Kuching South, to increase the usability and engagement of public spaces.
This initiative, he said, reflects a broader global focus on “space” in the post-pandemic era and aligns with the city’s vision for future development.
In response to the students’ questions about the competition between traditional markets and large supermarkets, Wee shared his insights and stressed the importance of preserving traditional culture amidst technological advancements.
He noted that as Kuching has been recognised as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, future plans include innovating traditional markets and hawker centers to attract more visitors and ensure sustainability while addressing underlying economic challenges. — DayakDaily
