Latest news with #LimTakeBane
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New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Future-ready cities built on 3 pillars - culture, community, sustainability [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Future-ready cities are those that blend modernisation with heritage and identity, said urban experts. Chartered architect and urban strategist Lim Take Bane said successful developments were built upon three pillars — culture, community and sustainability. "Future-ready cities are inclusive, connected and designed with heart, where it is not just a technical exercise; it's about creating spaces that work for people," said Lim. Speaking on NST's Beyond The Headlines podcast, Lim said at the heart of urban planning was "planning for people". "A truly great city is one that is walkable, child-friendly, economically diverse and full of character," he said. Lim pointed to Kuala Lumpur's recognition as among Southeast Asia's most liveable cities — ahead of Bangkok and Jakarta — as evidence that Malaysia was on the right track. The federal capital's well-balanced integration of transport systems, green spaces, digital infrastructure and urban connectivity were signs of its liveability. He said neighbourhoods like Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar were examples of transit-oriented development, where schools, offices, commercial centres and public transport were all within walking distance. "In these areas, you don't need a car. You can connect to the LRT, cycle or walk. The street design itself fosters a healthier, more connected lifestyle," he said. Vibrant cities, he said, were built around human experience, local stories and a strong sense of place, were the foundation of growth. Lim pointed to towns in Perak as an example of vibrant urban centres. He said these towns emerged from the tin mining boom and had blossomed with distinct cultural identities. "We were once the world's largest exporter of tin. Towns like Gopeng and Bidor grew as weigh stations along the old trunk road. "Today, places like Bidor are famous for biscuits, Kajang for satay, and Ampang for yong tau foo. Malaysians love their food, and they will travel for it," Lim noted. This deep attachment to local places, he said, should be a driving force in urban planning. Selangor, he said, was another example of a thriving state which retained livability and economic prosperity. "We don't have a problem in Selangor of people leaving to find better opportunities outside, unlike in Johor, where people migrate from the state's north to the south for better jobs," he said. He said successful cities were those which had an "instant narrative of where your town had come from". "Use that history to build your city's future. Ultimately, a city that works is a city with a soul," he added. Economist Professor Dr Barjoyai Bardai, who was also on the podcast, said Malaysia's push for modernisation must retain the charm and potential of smaller towns. "We should avoid losing what already works. "Places like Meru, Jenjarom and Kapar may be seen as small towns, but they hold significant cultural and economic potential with the right improvements," he said.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Selangor's new urban development blueprint balances growth, climate resilience and digital innovation
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor is positioning itself as Malaysia's model state for future-ready development, balancing economic growth with climate resilience, urban connectivity and digital innovation. In 2023, Selangor contributed the largest share to Malaysia's gross domestic product at 25.9 per cent, equivalent to RM406.1 billion, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Its economy grew 5.4 per cent that year, outpacing the country's expansion of 3.6 per cent. As Selangor lays out its blueprint for smart, walkable, and integrated urban districts, attention is shifting to how development links communities both physically and socially. "Mobility should mean the ability to walk comfortably — ideally in covered spaces that are resilient to sun and rain," said urban planning expert Lim Take Bane on the New Straits Times ' Beyond the Headlines podcast discussing the topic "Future-Proofing Cities". Lim said transit-oriented development must reduce dependence on cars by integrating homes, public transport and commercial centres. "The idea is simple. You live upstairs, take the train downstairs, and everything you need is within reach. When we do this well, we reduce traffic, stress and environmental impact," he said. Lim said interface zones — areas where different development types converged — should be well designed to ensure smooth infrastructure transitions and avoid traffic bottlenecks. He said cities must prepare for climate resilience, particularly urban flooding. Selangor's plans for the state-of-the-art Kompleks Sukan Shah Alam (KSSA) are poised to set a new benchmark for eco-resilient urban design. Lim said such strategies challenged urban planning norms and that forward-thinking designs were replacing hardscapes with multifunctional green zones that serve as both flood buffers and public parks. By embracing this model, he added, KSSA could become more than just a sports complex — it could help future-proof the city against climate extremes and safeguard communities. Economist Professor Dr Barjoyai Bardai said Selangor's ambition to lead in the digital economy must be supported by real-time data systems and intelligent infrastructure. "The state government must invest in big data analytics to understand the well-being, consumption, income and health of its residents, which can then be tailored to real needs," he said. Barjoyai said Selangor's strategic role in Malaysia's semiconductor roadmap was a key advantage. "With hubs like Cyberjaya acting as a tech park, and strong academic and industrial institutions in places like Shah Alam and Rawang, Selangor is poised to lead not just in assembly but also in chip design and advanced manufacturing," he added. Both experts agreed that public-private partnerships would be crucial to ensuring sustainable and balanced development. The Selangor State Development Corporation had done well in initiating development collaborations, especially with international firms, they said. "But the next step is to embed technology into these ventures.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BTH: Future-proofing cities: What's next for Malaysia? [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: In this episode, Beyond the Headlines dives into how Selangor is setting the benchmark for Malaysia's future-ready cities — balancing economic expansion with climate resilience, urban mobility, and digital innovation. With Selangor contributing 25.9 per cent to Malaysia's GDP in 2023, the state is now looking beyond numbers to reshape urban life for long-term sustainability. Chartered architect and urban strategist Lim Take Bane explores how design and walkability are essential to livable cities. He championed transit-oriented development (TOD) as a way to reduce car dependency, highlighting the importance of well-integrated communities with covered walkways, green zones, and multifunctional spaces. Economist and Selangorian Professor Dr Barjoyai Bardai complements this by emphasizing data-driven governance and intelligent infrastructure. He highlighted that Selangor's push into the digital economy — especially in semiconductors, chip design, and tech parks like Cyberjaya — must be supported by real-time analytics and inclusive policy frameworks. Both experts also stressed on the public-private partnerships and adaptive reuse of heritage structures are key strategies to strengthen local identity. Projects like the upcoming Kompleks Sukan Shah Alam (KSSA) were spotlighted for its push to incorporate "sponge city" principles to tackle urban flooding while fostering public space. The episode underscored that modern cities must retain their soul, rooted in culture, community, and sustainability, while preparing for climate risks and economic shifts. Follow the discussion in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube channel.
