A New Vision For Compact Liveable Cities

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From Boo Jia Cher
As urban sprawl accelerates in Malaysia, it’s time to fundamentally rethink our approach to urban planning. Low-density, car-dependent developments not only harm the environment but also deepen social inequality and strain public health systems and infrastructure.
State governments, local councils, urban planners, and developers must adopt a forward-looking vision that puts priority on inclusive, sustainable growth, particularly in key urban centres such as the Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor Bahru.
Malaysia’s housing landscape is polarised between cramped high-rises and sprawling suburban homes, with commercial spaces dominated by energy-intensive megamalls. As these malls struggle to sustain foot traffic, the need for a sustainable alternative becomes evident.
Enter the “missing middle”: medium-density, mixed-use developments such as four- to five-story apartments and shophouses arranged in walkable grids.
Learn from the past
Historically prevalent in towns like George Town, Penang, as well as Ipoh and Melaka, these neighbourhoods thrive on proximity. Residents can easily go about their day, like grabbing a meal at a mamak joint, jogging in a nearby park, or picking up groceries on foot or by bicycle.
This arrangement encourages casual social interactions and builds community ties, a stark contrast to the isolation of gated high-rises and car-dependent suburbs.
Urban planning has shaped the tourism appeal of those historic cities. Malaysians also often admire the walkability of cities in Japan and Europe, drawn to their human-scale environments teeming with diverse small businesses.
Yet, similar areas in the Klang Valley frequently suffer from poor public transport connectivity and inadequate infrastructure, leading to frustrations over parking shortages and deteriorating public spaces.
To revitalise these areas, local councils and developers must place priority on pedestrian-friendly commercial zones that integrate housing, small businesses, and public transport.
Improved urban regulations and proactive maintenance are essential to nurturing attractive, liveable neighbourhoods.
Avoid urban sprawl
In Malaysia, transit-oriented development has often been reduced to a marketing buzzword, synonymous with high-rise condos and megamalls loosely connected to train stations, ironically accompanied by massive parking structures.
This approach is unsustainable. Building more parking while advocating for reduced car usage is like stocking your kitchen with junk food while trying to lose weight; it fundamentally contradicts the desired outcome.
Instead, developers should be encouraged to limit parking provisions, shifting the focus towards pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and public transit accessibility.
What Malaysia urgently needs are compact, walkable neighbourhoods centered around efficient public transport, not car parks. Local councils must take an active role, championing human-scaled, transit-friendly developments rather than passively enabling car-centric urban sprawl.
The future taking shape
Signs of positive change are emerging. Projects like the RTS Link between JB and Singapore, new public transit systems in JB, Penang’s upcoming LRT, and the Klang Valley’s expanding train and bus networks reflect a growing commitment to sustainable transportation.
Bandar Malaysia, with its MRT2 connectivity, represents a golden opportunity: a blank canvas to demonstrate how thoughtful urban planning can nurture vibrant, equitable communities.
By emphasising public transport, walkability, mixed-use zoning, and affordable housing, Bandar Malaysia can set a new benchmark for sustainable development nationwide.
The future of Malaysia’s cities lies in the hands of state governments, local councils, urban planners, developers, and the rakyat. Together, we must make bold decisions that focus on environmental sustainability, social well-being, and the prosperity of future generations.
Building on the progress already under way, we must ensure that development focuses on people and connectivity, not cars and unchecked sprawl. - FMT
Boo Jia Cher is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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