Kuala Lumpur must live up to its slogan “City for All” and adopt a more sustainable and inclusive approach to urban planning, says the author.
KUALA Lumpur is often praised for its rapid development and cosmopolitan appeal. But behind its gleaming skyscrapers and vibrant street life, the city is on the brink of a catastrophic crisis that could shake its foundations.
As the city grows at a breakneck pace, it faces challenges that threaten its sustainability and quality of life, especially in the face of an ageing population and advancing climate change. According to World Bank projections, Malaysia will be a highly aged country by 2050, with 20% of the population aged 65 or above. At the same time, temperatures are expected to rise to 40.5°C, bringing with them various environmental problems.
Given this future, two glaring problems need to be urgently addressed: the alarming lack of open space and the reckless overdevelopment of high-density areas. Addressing these crises is critical to ensure that KL does not descend into urban chaos, but remains a vibrant and inclusive city for all its residents.
Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa expressed concern over the lack of green spaces and increasing air pollution in her recent speech at the launch of the 10 Planning Policies for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur 2024. She stressed the urgent need to balance development with the wellbeing of residents.
But words must be followed by actions. Your ministry, and in particular its associated authority, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), must ensure that KL does not become a soulless concrete jungle. The city must live up to its slogan of “city for all” and adopt a more sustainable and inclusive approach to urban planning.
Open spaces are the lifeblood of any urban environment. They provide important space for recreation, relaxation and community gatherings, promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of residents while strengthening the social fabric of the community.
We need more open spaces and green areas like Taman Eko Rimba in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama
Open spaces also play a crucial role in environmental sustainability, acting as green lungs that filter the air, regulate temperature and prevent flooding. Yet KL is increasingly becoming a concrete jungle, with green spaces disappearing at an alarming rate. The city’s transformation into a sprawling mass of steel and glass is not just a byproduct of development; it is a deliberate trend, fuelled by the greed of developers, the complicity of local authorities, inconsistent government policies and weak enforcement.
Consider Taman Rimba Kiara, Jalan Kuching and Taman Desa – these once green oases are now a clear example of the growing struggle to balance development and public welfare in KL. Setapak, once a lush green suburban area, has now fallen victim to rampant urbanisation.
Projects such as the proposed high-rise developments in Taman Tiara Titiwangsa and Jalan Genting Klang have sparked outrage among residents who fear their common areas will be swallowed up by high-density construction. This unstoppable march of concrete threatens to wipe out vital urban lungs and reflects a general disregard for environmental sustainability and public health.
High-density development is often hailed as a sign of urban growth and economic dynamism. Yet in KL, this rapid and poorly planned development is more of a curse than a blessing. The city’s skyline is filling up with high-rise residential and commercial buildings, often built without adequate infrastructure improvements. This is particularly evident in areas like Setapak, where local authorities have allowed a flood of high-rise construction that exceeds the capacity of local infrastructure and suffocates the life from these neighbourhoods.
The toxic combination of shrinking parks and recreational areas and uncontrolled densification not only affects the quality of life of city dwellers, it also exacerbates environmental problems.
Open spaces that act as natural air purifiers, heat regulators and flood defences are being replaced by concrete slabs that exacerbate pollution, raise temperatures in the city and increase flood risk. KL is already struggling with these problems and current developments threaten to make things much worse. Authorities, seemingly unaware of the long-term damage, continue to prioritise short-term economic gains over sustainable urban planning.
Community involvement is key. Residents must have a say in planning processes and the opportunity to hold local authorities to account. This will ensure that developments meet community needs while preserving the cultural and environmental heritage of neighbourhoods.
The draft Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL2040) must provide sustainable solutions and the authorities must demonstrate the political will to transform KL into a city that is not only economically dynamic but also ecologically sustainable and humanly livable.
KL is at a crossroads today. It can either live up to its slogan “A City for All” or continue down a path that risks turning it into a dystopian slum.
The decision is clear and now is the time to act.
Dr. Aniza Abu Bakar is an Assistant Professor at Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia. The views expressed here are solely those of the author.
