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Free Malaysia Today
02-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Public transport needs more than just LRT, says expert
Rail and transit systems expert TC Chew (right), seen here with Penang transportation executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari, said LRT systems could only work if they were tied to good town planning. GEORGE TOWN : Public transport systems that rely only on light rail transit (LRT) without a broader transport plan are bound to fail, says rail and transit systems expert TC Chew. Speaking at a state-hosted forum on the future of transport in Penang, Chew said while LRT systems were often seen as a fix for urban congestion, they could only work if tied to good town planning that included effective land use, policy and long-term delivery. 'If you just offer an LRT system and do nothing else, you will fail,' the Royal Academy of Engineering fellow said at the forum held at Komtar. Chew, who has worked on urban rail networks in Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK, said both Hong Kong's mass transit railway (MTR) and Singapore's mass rapid transit (MRT) succeeded because they were supported by strong government policy and land control. He said the Hong Kong government, for example, used the profits made from the increased value of its property surrounding its rail network to fund MTR development. 'They started thinking about property as the key driver. But this only worked because the state had firm control over property. They could plan rail and development together,' he said. Chew said in Singapore, laws were passed to allow the state to acquire land around new MRT lines, making sure the public also gained from the investment. 'The thinking was that if the state is paying for the MRT, the public should get some of the benefit, not just private developers,' he said. Shifting political winds Penang transportation executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said the LRT project had been delayed for years mainly due to shifting political winds. 'We spent many years in the wilderness. The monorail was approved years ago, and the airport expansion too … both were shelved for political reasons,' he said. The federal government, under the late former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, had mooted a monorail project, but it was shelved in 2008 due to changes in national priorities. Zairil said the state government was therefore moving quickly now – while federal politics allowed it. He said Penang had already started planning the LRT before receiving federal support, and even held advanced talks with the Asian Development Bank on funding, but had seen slow progress without federal approval. 'There are many ways to skin a cat. Of course, the cat becomes smaller without federal backing. But Penang will always find a way,' he said. The Mutiara LRT line, which will run from Komtar to Bayan Lepas, with a spur line from the Macallum area to Butterworth, is now being built by the federal government through the transport ministry and MRT Corp. Work on the RM17 billion, 29.5km project is expected to begin this year.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Arup drives global infrastructure collaboration at IIICF
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 June 2025 - The 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF), co-hosted by the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), took place from 10 to 12 June at The Venetian Macao Cotai Expo. At the event, global built environment consultancy Arup hosted a parallel forum on 'Unlocking opportunities in global infrastructure collaboration through total engineering'. The event gathered industry leaders from around the world to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by large-scale international infrastructure projects. Participants also explored collaborative approaches to integrated engineering design and project management. The forum opened with keynote speeches by Matt Crossman, Deputy HMTC, Department for Business and Trade, British Embassy Beijing; TC Chew, APAC Managing Director, Arup; and Fang Qiuchen, Chairman of CHINCA. TC Chew remarked: 'The APAC region offers immense potential for infrastructure development, alongside unique complexities. At Arup, we are addressing these challenges using Total Design. This holistic approach brings us a comprehensive view on what's possible, desirable, and commercially viable. It enables us to integrate diverse expertise through seamless collaboration, creating innovative and sustainable solutions that adapt to changing client needs and regional obstacles. By delivering impactful projects that resonate with local communities, we drive meaningful change, shaping a resilient and sustainable built environment for the future.' Further keynote addresses were given by Kate West, Chief Officer, APAC Business & Markets, Arup. Kate said: 'The Asia-Pacific region will see one of the highest construction industry growth rates of any region globally over the next 10 years, driven by the outperformance of key emerging markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. This growth is driving huge demand for skills and capital across the building and infrastructure sectors, amid a broader economic expansion. At Arup, we're harnessing our global expertise and deep local relationships across our integrated APAC region to navigate these complexities—sharing knowledge, building capabilities, and delivering better outcomes for our clients and communities.' Two panel discussions followed, with prominent industry experts sharing insights on large-scale international infrastructure projects. The first panel, titled 'Challenges and opportunities of large-scale international infrastructure projects' was moderated by TC Chew. Panellists included Jacob Kam, CEO of MTR Corporation; Zhou Jiayi, Deputy GM of Power China International Company, GM of the Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters; and Matt Crossman. Together, panellists discussed the various challenges in international infrastructure development including financing, new technologies, environmental protection, and policies and regulations. They also exchanged ideas on how to make the most of complementary strengths, promote new types of partnerships, and ensure everyone benefits from the outcome. The following keynote speeches were delivered by Michael McGowan, APAC Transport Market Portfolio Leader, Arup and David Moran, APAC Digital Leader, Arup. Michael, who has led aviation, road, utility, and planning projects, and David, an expert in IT strategy and project management, shared their experiences on large, multidisciplinary infrastructure projects. They also offered perspectives on the future of infrastructure development. The second panel discussion was moderated by Philip Wong, East Asia Business & Markets Director, Arup, and featured Chan Kuong In, Deputy General Manager, China Construction Engineering (Macau) Company Limited; Lu Yuchun, Chief Engineer of Smart Transportation BU, Huawei; and Charles Im, Southeast Asia Rail Leader, Arup. Drawing on their experiences, the panellists analysed design technology, market culture, ecological demands, and collaborative approaches that can drive progress in smart, green, and sustainable infrastructure development. Additionally, Theresa Yeung, East Asia Managing Principal, Arup discussed the role of the Mechanism for International Sustainable Infrastructure Promotion (MISIP) in multi-stakeholder collaboration with several experts at another panel discussion. She said: 'MISIP offers a valuable platform that brings together governments, investors, and technical experts to accelerate the development of sustainable infrastructure. At Arup, we believe that the most resilient and future-ready solutions emerge when diverse stakeholders collaborate from the outset. MISIP enables this by fostering shared understanding, aligning priorities, and encouraging innovation across sectors and geographies. It's a much-needed mechanism to help cities and communities transition toward more inclusive, low-carbon, and adaptive infrastructure systems.' There has been an increase in international cooperation in infrastructure construction, thanks in part to national policies such as the Belt and Road Initiative. Arup believes this forum, which has brought together experts and leaders from various sectors, will promote more project resource sharing and multidisciplinary collaboration. It will also help industry professionals stay informed about market trends, challenges, and opportunities, and ultimately support the international infrastructure development.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Arup experts share trends shaping the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - Rail leaders of global sustainable development consultancy Arup from across the Asia Pacific region shared their insights into the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail 2025, ranging from the role of transit-oriented development in funding rail infrastructure, the use of the latest green and smart technology in transit systems, station transformation, and customer journey planning. Held in Bangkok on 28-29 May 2025, the major rail event in the region was attended by 4,000 people and brought together more than 160 speakers and 200 exhibitors. As moderator of the keynote panel, TC Chew, Managing Director of APAC at Arup, discussed with leaders of key rail organisations in the region the crucial role of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in making public-private partnerships (PPPs) financially viable and sustainable, the challenges in implementing TOD as well as opportunities for future regional collaboration. 'Governments are under increasing pressure to look for innovative ways to fund rail projects. TOD could be part of the answer. If planned and designed carefully, TOD can help address challenges such as a growing population and demand for housing and employment, while promoting efficient transport options needed for a long-term sustainable future,' said TC. James Musgrave, APAC Rail Business Leader at Arup, said, 'From the Kowloon Station development in Hong Kong to the Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development in Australia, Arup provided strategic planning, design and engineering expertise to maximise the value of investment in transit infrastructure and the positive impact on the community it serves. When we create an impactful TOD, we don't just change how a city moves, we redefine how people live.' Three leaders from Arup also spoke at Asia Pacific 2025 on major topics in railway development: • Alberto Battois, Malaysia Rail Business Leader, on 'Integrated mobility – what next?'; • Carol Lau, Associate Director, on 'New forms of smart and green mass transit systems for medium capacity network - planning and design'; and • Aden Chua, Associate, on 'Digitalising station transformation'. In addition, Arup sponsored the British Embassy Reception, where Arup's clients and partners connected with rail leaders to exchange ideas and share insights. With over 6,400 people in 28 offices across Asia Pacific and direct access to a larger global network, Arup is committed to supporting clients to deliver transformative railways that enhance lives and connectivity across cities and nations.
Associated Press
29-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Arup experts share trends shaping the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 May 2025 - Rail leaders of global sustainable development consultancy Arup from across the Asia Pacific region shared their insights into the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail 2025, ranging from the role of transit-oriented development in funding rail infrastructure, the use of the latest green and smart technology in transit systems, station transformation, and customer journey planning. Arup experts gathered at Asia Pacific Rail 2025, exploring how to transform rail across the region. Held in Bangkok on 28-29 May 2025, the major rail event in the region was attended by 4,000 people and brought together more than 160 speakers and 200 exhibitors. As moderator of the keynote panel, TC Chew, Managing Director of APAC at Arup, discussed with leaders of key rail organisations in the region the crucial role of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in making public-private partnerships (PPPs) financially viable and sustainable, the challenges in implementing TOD as well as opportunities for future regional collaboration. 'Governments are under increasing pressure to look for innovative ways to fund rail projects. TOD could be part of the answer. If planned and designed carefully, TOD can help address challenges such as a growing population and demand for housing and employment, while promoting efficient transport options needed for a long-term sustainable future,' said TC. James Musgrave, APAC Rail Business Leader at Arup, said, 'From the Kowloon Station development in Hong Kong to the Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development in Australia, Arup provided strategic planning, design and engineering expertise to maximise the value of investment in transit infrastructure and the positive impact on the community it serves. When we create an impactful TOD, we don't just change how a city moves, we redefine how people live.' Three leaders from Arup also spoke at Asia Pacific 2025 on major topics in railway development: In addition, Arup sponsored the British Embassy Reception, where Arup's clients and partners connected with rail leaders to exchange ideas and share insights. With over 6,400 people in 28 offices across Asia Pacific and direct access to a larger global network, Arup is committed to supporting clients to deliver transformative railways that enhance lives and connectivity across cities and nations. Hashtag: #Rail #TransitOrientedDevelopment #Arup Wechat: Arup奥雅纳 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Arup Arup is a global built environment consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places, bringing a Total Design approach to our work for our clients.
Arabian Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Arup experts share trends shaping the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail
Arup experts gathered at Asia Pacific Rail 2025, exploring how to transform rail across the region. HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2025 – Rail leaders of global sustainable development consultancy Arup from across the Asia Pacific region shared their insights into the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail 2025, ranging from the role of transit-oriented development in funding rail infrastructure, the use of the latest green and smart technology in transit systems, station transformation, and customer journey planning. Held in Bangkok on 28-29 May 2025, the major rail event in the region was attended by 4,000 people and brought together more than 160 speakers and 200 exhibitors. As moderator of the keynote panel, TC Chew, Managing Director of APAC at Arup, discussed with leaders of key rail organisations in the region the crucial role of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in making public-private partnerships (PPPs) financially viable and sustainable, the challenges in implementing TOD as well as opportunities for future regional collaboration. ADVERTISEMENT 'Governments are under increasing pressure to look for innovative ways to fund rail projects. TOD could be part of the answer. If planned and designed carefully, TOD can help address challenges such as a growing population and demand for housing and employment, while promoting efficient transport options needed for a long-term sustainable future,' said TC. James Musgrave, APAC Rail Business Leader at Arup, said, 'From the Kowloon Station development in Hong Kong to the Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development in Australia, Arup provided strategic planning, design and engineering expertise to maximise the value of investment in transit infrastructure and the positive impact on the community it serves. When we create an impactful TOD, we don't just change how a city moves, we redefine how people live.' Three leaders from Arup also spoke at Asia Pacific 2025 on major topics in railway development: Alberto Battois, Malaysia Rail Business Leader, on 'Integrated mobility – what next?'; Carol Lau, Associate Director, on 'New forms of smart and green mass transit systems for medium capacity network – planning and design'; and Aden Chua, Associate, on 'Digitalising station transformation'. In addition, Arup sponsored the British Embassy Reception, where Arup's clients and partners connected with rail leaders to exchange ideas and share insights. With over 6,400 people in 28 offices across Asia Pacific and direct access to a larger global network, Arup is committed to supporting clients to deliver transformative railways that enhance lives and connectivity across cities and nations. Hashtag: #Rail #TransitOrientedDevelopment #Arup Wechat: Arup奥雅纳 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Arup Arup is a global built environment consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places, bringing a Total Design approach to our work for our clients.
