5 days ago
Coming together in PJ for people-centric spaces
Mohamad Zahri (fourth from left) flanked by PWA programme coordinator Lee Jia Ping (on his right) and Mazrina, with Lih Shyan (right), at the launch of PWA 2025 in Petaling Jaya.
PETALING Jaya in Selangor will take to the regional stage as host city for Placemaker Week Asean (PWA) 2025 happening from Aug 27 to 30.
The annual summit is dedicated to exchanging ideas for creating vibrant and people-centric public spaces, with this year's event at MBPJ Civic Hall themed 'Places That Have Value for People'.
Aiming to promote safe, inclusive and accessible public spaces by showcasing successful local and regional placemaking efforts and universal design, PWA builds on the success of its 2019 edition in Kuala Lumpur and returns with a stronger focus on how urban spaces can uplift lives.
PWA 2025 is a collaboration between Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) and Placemaking Malaysia.
During the launch at the city council's headquarters, Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said MBPJ's appointment was a significant recognition of the city's commitment to inclusive, community-focused urban development.
'This selection proves that Petaling Jaya continues to grow as a progressive and trusted city at the regional level.
'PWA is not just a conference; it is a platform that champions public space as the heart of urban life.
'This is where the values of humanity, culture and inclusivity are celebrated by residents,' he said.
The summit is expected to attract hundreds of local and international participants, with attendees including urban planners, community leaders, government officials and private sector representatives from across South-East Asia.
The agenda includes keynote addresses from a number of Asean mayors, workshops, live urban intervention projects as well as technical visits to notable placemaking sites in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Locally, MBPJ plans to use the summit as a living laboratory for Petaling Jaya and will highlight efforts to maximise underused spaces and make them more community-friendly.
Examples include toy libraries and upgraded public facilities built with affordability and accessibility in mind.
MBPJ Development Planning Department director Lee Lih Shyan said the city would showcase its initiatives, including sessions led by its Children's Council members to ensure youth perspectives were integrated into urban planning.
'We want to create opportunities that will make it more sustainable and liveable for the community.
'With the help of international placemaker attendees, we can also take suggestions and look at how we can add value to the Section 8 area,' Lih Shyan added.
Mohamad Zahri, however, acknowledged challenges in retrofitting older parts of the city.
'In PJ Old Town for example, creating a pedestrian lane for all ages is not suitable,' he said.
'Adding facilities for the disabled can also be challenging in narrow areas.'
MIP president Mazrina Abdul Khalid emphasised the event's role in knowledge sharing.
With 25 international and 24 local speakers confirmed for the summit, she said the conference would offer a crucial opportunity for knowledge transfer between experts, developers and the community.
'This summit is important in enhancing our understanding of how to further upgrade areas for placemaking.
'This also aligns with MBPJ's own initiatives to improve public spaces through beauty and safety,' she said.
