River has long been recognized as one of humanity’s most important natural resources. It is one of the most
important of all the natural resources necessary to ensure human health and civilization. A close association between
cities and water is inherent since the history of civilization and in fact, many urban cities in Malaysia are located
close to river areas. The last two decades shown Malaysia has shifted development strategy from agricultural based
to industrialization, and manufacturing industries have become the economy’s main source for the country until now.
This transformation in 18th century is clearly shown that rapid urbanization, industrial and intensive agricultural
activities, as well as wide-spread land development, have contributed to extensive changing of river functions for
economy, national development and environment. In particular, river roles are become less significance for human
life and river function limited only for transportation purposes only. So, viewed historically, waterfront
development in Malaysia have undergone cycles of change over the decades and the latest in this pattern to more
public purposes such as recreational and mixed used development. This paper aims to identify a transition of
waterfront development in Malaysia from history time to modernization era and it would give a significance
contribution for the research is currently on going.