Abstract

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia with a current population of 2.7 million, is a centre of various major urbanization activities. It has been a centre of administration, business, industry, communication and also transportation. Heritage or historical buildings are abundantly found in the city centre and among them are the Sultan Abdul Samad building (building associated with the country’s independent declaration in 1957), the beautiful Moorish style Railway Station, Jamek Mosque, the Merdeka stadium, the Art and Cultural Market plus rows of old buildings with high aesthetical and cultural values. Acid rain that is associated with the process of urbanization and industrialization in Kuala Lumpur has brought about a negative impact on these heritage bulidings. This paper highlights the damaging effect of acid rain on the above mentioned heritage buildings notably those with iron, zinc, bronze and limestone as well various others. This research suggests the need to take precautionary measures to prevent future excessive damages and this paper thus attempts to provide some useful guidelines in order to sustain the valuable heritage buildings so that they are preserved for current and future generations.