Cultural Mapping of the Historical Tin Mining Town of Kinta Valley: The Revival of Papan Old Town

• Published in: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
• Main Author: Ahmad S.; Nayan N.M.; Hussain N.H.M.; Zakaria A.Z.; Jones D.S.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Physics 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85201220396&doi=10.1088%2f1755-1315%2f1361%2f1%2f012050&partnerID=40&md5=6e6ad4b0e0953d4b1ed7e6a448a37b89

Located within the vicinity of the western region of the Kinta Valley lies several historic tin mining towns that were deserted and yet forgotten. This includes the old town of Tronoh, Siputeh, Pusing and Papan. The Papan old town was once the centre of the Western Kinta Valley tin mining towns and settlements that emerged from its importance in the 1880s. Tin mining is the heritage industry that crafted the industrial landscape of the Valley, resulting in a massive migration of Chinese and other races (including the Malay Mandailing) to Malaya in search of tin glory. However, due to the collapse of the world tin market in the 1980s, this scenario has further resulted in the abandonment of the majority of these old tin towns as, sadly, the Papan ruinous urban fabric begins to deteriorate today. Considering this alarming situation, this study aims to explore the cultural landscape mapping layering the historical, spatial, and cultural narratives that contemplate the Papan old tin mining town. Therefore, a qualitative approach has been designed for data collection and analysis. The findings of the cultural landscape mapping can highlight the importance of this old tin mining town abiding by their survived industrial urban fabrics that strategically integrate into sustainable planning and cultural resource management, further linking to cultural heritage tourism activity in Kinta Valley. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.