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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.