Latest news with #PlacemakerWeekAsean
The Star
7 days ago
- General
- The Star
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.
The Star
08-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
MBPJ to get views of community, councillors on Old Town market revival
PJ's oldest market reported to have low trader occupancy and declining customers. — Filepic Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will evaluate existing recovery plans to revitalise Pasar Besar Jalan Othman. Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said any plan to uplift the market, also known as PJ Old Town market, would involve extensive community engagement. 'We will not leave out councillors and the community. 'They have been living in the area for a long time, and through these engagements, they will give their views. 'The Jalan Othman market is in an old area. 'We may listen to views from outside parties who have better ideas, but we will rely on existing recovery plans,' he elaborated. Mohamad Zahri said this in a press conference at MBPJ headquarters after announcing that the city council would be the official host and co-organiser of 'Placemaker Week Asean (PWA) 2025', taking place from Aug 27 to 30 at Civic Hall. His statement follows an initiative by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, who last month announced that his office was facilitating discussions for a community-driven recovery model for the city's oldest market. Lee had organised a roundtable meeting in June with various stakeholders after an initial meeting with market traders' representatives in April. Recent reports have highlighted low trader occupancy and a decline in customers at the multistorey market complex.
The Star
06-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
PJ to extend entertainment outlet operating hours to 3am
PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has approved the extension of operating hours for entertainment outlets until 3am, as part of a broader move to update licensing policies in the city. The decision, following meetings with city councillors, department heads and industry stakeholders, particularly those from the hospitality, food and beverage sectors, is set to be formalised soon. Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the priority was to ensure that proper licensing regulations were in place. 'Alongside the extension, MBPJ has drawn up 13 new licensing guidelines related to entertainment and other business operations, including pet shops, crematoriums and various service providers,' he told a press conference at MBPJ headquarters after announcing that MBPJ would be the official host and co-organiser of Placemaker Week Asean (PWA) 2025, taking place from Aug 27 to 30 at the MBPJ Civic Hall. Mohamad Zahri said more details on the guidelines would be made public once finalised and endorsed. In November last year, StarMetro reported that Mohamad Zahri said MBPJ was considering extending the operating hours for entertainment outlets in the city, following stakeholders' requests during a recent tourism workshop. In a workshop held earlier this year with relevant parties, the city council, among other things, discussed the feasibility of longer business hours for entertainment premises besides zoning matters. There are 338 licensed entertainment joints in the city.
