Why preserve historic sites and structures

The summer palace in Beijing, China; Sydney Opera House in Australia; Cathedral of Notre Dame in France; Vatican City in Rome, Italy; Blenheim Palace in England; Borobudur and Prambanan Temples in Indonesia; Jeju Island and Lava Tubes in South Korea; and the walled town of Carcassonne near Toulouse, France, have something in common. They are all listed as world heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). 
Four sites in Malaysia are also on Unesco’s list; two are natural — the Gunung Mulu National Park and Kinabalu Park; and two cultural — the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca, namely Malacca and George Town, and the Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley.
 It was on these visits that I realised that a site need not be ancient to be on Unesco’s list (Sydney Opera House vis-a-vis the Cathedral of Notre Dame, for example) but each site tells a story. And, of these ancient sites, I noticed how good the construction was back then and how serious the governments are of their conservation and preservation programmes.
The fact that some of the ancient buildings are still standing is fascinating. And I continue to be amazed at what the owners and authorities have done to preserve their properties, which, in turn, have become tourist attractions for the respective areas and countries (some of the world heritage sites are privately owned). 
Some of the sites are self-sustaining, too, without depending much on government assistance for maintenance. Carcassonne, one of the largest fortified towns in Europe, for example, has shops within the walled town selling souvenirs, including replicas from medieval times, such as clothing, swords and shields; cookies and chocolates; herbs, such as lavender and other spices; and tourist items like fridge magnets and T-shirts. There are also small hotels and restaurants. The rentals received from these establishments help pay for the maintenance of the medieval walled town. The authorities also charge an entrance fee to the castle. 
The World Heritage List includes 981 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage, which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. 
Here, the then Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry (now Tourism and Culture Ministry) defined heritage as “related to something that has been inherited from one generation to the next by someone or a group of people in a community. It is about the memories of a lifestyle of people that reflects their civilisation”. 
Google has an extensive definition, describing heritage as “what we receive from the past. It shapes our present identity and provides insight for our future. It includes a range of activities, such as stewardship, preservation, research, education and engagement. It encourages sensitivity to the indigenous natural environment, to the impact of human activity on the natural environment, as well as to differing perspectives regarding objectives, ideas, places and traditions”. 
Yet, we have lost grand mansions, bungalows and villas in the past to what is so-called development. High-rise condominiums and commercial buildings have been built on these sites. 
One such mansion is the Bok House in Kuala Lumpur, which was demolished some 10 years ago. Others include structures that are part of an old abandoned colonial heritage hotel in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang, called Runnymede Hotel, believed to be close to 200 years old. It was the former home of the Penang governor’s assistant secretary, Sir Stamford Raffles. Both sites have been earmarked for a hotel and mixed development project. 
These buildings, however, can remain untouched if they are registered as heritage buildings under the National Heritage Act 2005. So far, 47 buildings are on the National Heritage Department’s National Heritage Register List and 146 are on the Heritage List. 
One can apply for heritage status and the application forms are on the National Heritage Department’s website. At the website, you can download the Borang Pencalonan Daftar Warisan Kebangsaan (National Heritage Registry Nomination Form) to nominate a building, site or living person (listed on the form as orang hidup) for heritage status. The final decision, however, remains with the government. 
The United States National Trust for History Preservation, tasked with saving America’s historic places, says old buildings can offer opportunities for a community’s future. Preserving them is beneficial not only for a community’s culture, but also its local economy. The trust says old buildings have an intrinsic value. Buildings of a certain era, namely pre-World War 2, tend to be built with higher-quality materials. Pre-war buildings were also built according to different standards. A century-old building may be a better long-term bet than its brand-new counterpart. 
Old buildings are also reminders of a city’s culture and complexity. By seeing historic buildings, whether related to something famous or recognisably dramatic, tourists and long-time residents are able to witness the aesthetic and cultural history of an area. And, regret, it adds, goes only one way. 
“The preservation of historic buildings is a one-way street. There is no chance to renovate or to save a historic site once it’s gone. And, we can never be certain what will be valued in the future. “This reality brings to light the importance of locating and saving buildings of historic significance, because once a piece of history is destroyed, it is lost forever.”