📝 Summary
Two researchers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia presented their research on heritage conservation at the ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak. Their studies highlighted the importance of community involvement in preserving heritage and proposed frameworks for creative placemaking and youth participation in heritage processes. The conference concluded with the adoption of the “Kuching Declaration” reaffirming the commitment to safeguarding living heritage through respect, enhancement, acceptance, and partnership.
KUCHING, Oct 23 – Two researchers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) received ICOMOS Scholarships and presented their research at the ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium 2026, held in Kuching, Sarawak, from 17 to 23 October 2026.
Organised by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the conference brought together approximately 1,800 participants from 110 countries to discuss heritage conservation under the theme “Living Heritage: Respect, Enhance, Accept, Partnership”. The General Assembly provided a platform for ICOMOS members to discuss the organisation’s direction, while the Scientific Symposium enabled academics, practitioners, policymakers and researchers to share studies and experiences.
The two researchers from UTM’s Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), Dr. Nur Rasyiqah Abu Hassan and Ar. Norshahida Azili, received ICOMOS Scholarships and presented their papers under the Partnership sub-theme.
Dr. Nur Rasyiqah presented a paper titled “Heritage Mafia: Acknowledging the Role of Soft Entity and Power in Kuala Lumpur”, which examines the struggle for spatial and narrative control as a factor behind the failure of several previous heritage projects. Her study highlights the importance of involving local communities to ensure that implementation strategies for specific heritage areas can succeed.
She also presented a poster titled “Tanggam and Kigumi: The Living Craftsmanship Behind Asia’s Built Heritage and Cultural Identity”, a project undertaken in collaboration with Universiti Malaya through the Sumitomo Grant Foundation in 2025.
Meanwhile, Ar. Norshahida presented “A Youth Cultural Design Framework for Creative Placemaking in the Revitalisation of Traditional Urban Fabric in Malaysia”, which forms part of her PhD research at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The study proposes a framework linking cultural attributes, youth engagement and community empowerment through creative placemaking. It responds to rapid urbanisation and top-down development, which have limited meaningful youth participation in heritage processes.
The participation of both researchers reflects the importance of working with communities to sustain heritage and pass it on to future generations. Their studies highlight that communities are not merely subjects of research, but essential partners in preserving the practices, memories, traditions and identity associated with a place.
Through research, education and knowledge transfer, FABU and UTM continue to contribute to the safeguarding of living heritage. Sharing research findings with students, practitioners and local communities can raise awareness, strengthen community identity and ensure traditional skills and cultural values remain understood and appreciated.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the “Kuching Declaration”, reaffirming a shared commitment to safeguarding living heritage through respect, enhancement, acceptance and partnership. The closing ceremony was attended by the Premier of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Hj. Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Hj. Openg.
