Port City Evolution: The History of Kuching's Urban Morphology as a Colonial Entrepot

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact of colonialism on the urban development of Kuching, a city in Sarawak, Malaysia. Many port cities in the greater Southeast Asia region were born from their strategic location along the trade route between India and China, which attracted Western powers to establish control over these coastal entrepots and their natural resources. As a result, the ruling class imported foreign cultures and urban planning templates from their home country to facilitate their governance over the colonies, traced from the urban morphology of present-day city centres.
Compared to other colonial cities in Peninsular Malaysia, Kuching gained little attention from scholars and historians due to its less significant location on the periphery of the British Crown Colonies. Analysis of archival maps and first-account sources revealed the growth of Kuching from a riverine settlement to a vibrant port city under the governance of the Brooke administration, founded by Sir James Brooke and succeeded by his bloodline. Since the White Rajahs enjoyed more autonomy from the British regime during their rule, they adopted a hybrid approach to urban planning by incorporating local settlement patterns within the city’s expansion. The result is a collage of formal and informal forms in Kuching’s urban fabric, reflecting the vernacular qualities of its multicultural population.
Beyond direct influences on urban morphology, there are remnants of colonial themes within the economy, social structures, and future planning strategies of post-independence Kuching. The heavy focus on commercial activities around the Sarawak River port during the early 20th century resulted in underdeveloped secondary industries and an influx in rural-to-urban migration, with lasting impacts still visible today. Moreover, colonial social engineering - most apparent in land tenure legislation, created biased perceptions of political space and racially segregated enclaves. Anthony D. King (1977) also traced the export mechanism of Western urban planning from educational institutions and planning bureaus left behind by colonial powers after granting colonies their independence.
Overall, the research highlights the impacts of Western ideals in post-colonial Kuching and the growing awareness to preserve its rich cultural heritage as a port city. This study aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on urbanism in growing societies and provide valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and researchers.