New Master Plan For Kampung Baru In The Works

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The 120-year-old Kampung Baru comprises seven villages that form the Malay Agricultural Settlement in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: A new master plan is being drawn up for Kampung Baru, which might result in the 120-year-old village in the heart of Kuala Lumpur being redeveloped to be on par with the KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) development and Putrajaya
The new master plan, by Kuala Lumpur City Hall, will focus on sustainable living in the 120-year-old settlement, according to Zulkarnain Hassan, chief executive of the Kampung Baru Development Corporation
The plan will replace the previous Detailed Development Masterplan drawn up in 2015 which had envisaged building 17,500 homes, retail shopping and offices in a project estimated to cost RM43 billion on 60.7 hectares
In a recent press interview, Zulkarnain said the current layout was not suitable
“The old concept is to allow each individual plot to be developed. It means that we are going to allow two skyscrapers on the same plot. If this happens, there will be no proper open space or public area. It will all look very messy and congested.”The new master plan would allocate some areas for public use and iconic structures, similar to KLCC and Putrajaya, with “a lot of open space and a proper plaza”, Zulkarnain told the New Straits Times
He said the proposed redevelopment would be on par with buildings located within KLCC, which comprises offices, premium retail space, luxury hotels and apartments, and convention facilities
Kampung Baru consists of seven villages that form a “Malay Agriculture Settlement” over 89 hectares: Kampung Periok and Kampung Hujung Pasir; Kampung Masjid; Kampung Paya; Kampung Atas A and B and Kampung Pindah
Heritage buildings in the area include Sultan Suleiman Club, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, Masjid Pakistan, and Gurdwara Tatt Khalsa
The proposed redevelopment will also encompass part of the Chow Kit area and PKNS flats
Zulkarnain said as much as RM10 billion might be required for acquisition of land within the seven villages. “However, this is just an idea and the figure is only an estimate. No decision has been made. We do not know yet the option on how we want to get the land.”Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said recently the ministry would be willing to have discussions with all Kampung Baru landowners
“We want to find a solution to retain Malay ownership of land in Kampung Baru while, at the same time, develop the area into a modern and integrated settlement. We do not want Kampung Baru to be left out of the rapid development in Kuala Lumpur,” he was quoted as saying. - FMT

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