A Phenomenological Perspective of Heritage Planning and Policy: The Case of Kuala Lumpur

Heritage policy analysis frequently depends on factual data and institutional frameworks, and most studies on heritage tend to focus on tourist and visitor experiences. In fact, there is minimal research associating the lived experiences and the subjective meanings within the scope of the policy and the conservation of the heritage. To fill the gap, this paper employs phenomenology as a research design to explore how individuals experience, interpret, and engage with heritage policies within the evolving urban landscape of Kuala Lumpur. This approach uses qualitative methods, such as content analysis of policy documents and interviews to reveal the complexities of heritage governance beyond legislative and administrative structures. Ultimately, this research contributes to a broader methodological discourse, promoting a human-centred approach to heritage study and planning, as well as advancing phenomenology as one method in policy research.