Revitalising the Kuala Lumpur Klang River Waterfront into Resilient Sustainable Pedestrian Areas

Image taken from https://news.mongabay.com/2018/08/a-river-restored-breathes-new-life-into-kuala-lumpur/

The ROL project was initiated under the government Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) for the Greater KL/Klang Valley National Key Economic Area (NKEA). Greater KL/Klang Valley has been acknowledged as an important economic region. It comprises 20% of the nation’s population and contributes 30% of the nation’s GNI. The key goal for Greater KL/Klang Valley’s transformation plan is to drive economic growth and attain liveability; aspiring to be among the top 20 most liveable cities in the world and among the top 20 fastest growing city economies in the world. 

By 2020, NKEA projected 300,000 new jobs to be created through the implementation of Nine Entry Point Projects (EPP). These projects are pivotal to the economic growth in the Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur. Among the EPPs that will impact Kuala Lumpur most significantly and which are most likely to act as a magnet for growth are: the ROL project, an integrated Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) network and the greening of the city and iconic places.

A key intended outcome of the ROL programme was to promote a sense of ownership towards the river and to initiate a long term and sustainable change in behaviour towards protecting the river. The programme included Public Outreach Programmes (POP) from 2012-onwards, in order to foster partnerships between public & private sectors with the community. This case study focuses on the second component of the ROL Project (River Beautification) and focuses primarily on the initiatives undertaken by the city council for the historical area of Kuala Lumpur.

Within the heart of the historical Kuala Lumpur area, the city council has focused on transforming the district surrounding the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers into a vibrant and liveable waterfront with high economic value. The riverfront was envisioned to be a place where people gather, communities thrive, and native flora and fauna flourish. The three key programme catalysts identified by the council as part of the project were:

1.      1. Aesthetic – highlighting and preserving historical and cultural identity
2.      2. Financial – regeneration of historic district and job creation through increased tourism
3.      3. Community – a sense of ownership and belonging for the community as well as KL residents as a whole

Various urban regeneration and pedestrianisation initiatives were undertaken as part of the project. These include:

• Historical restoration of the Masjid Jamek, Lebuh Pasar and Makhamah Persekutuan vicinities;
• Closure of several vehicular roads to become fully pedestrianized spaces such as plazas and pocket parks;
• Improving pedestrian network & amenities such as street furniture, improved crossings and sidewalks;
• Landscaping initiatives including pedestrian shading and native species revegetation;
• Links from historical and cultural destinations to the river bank.

Through a mixed series of tested and experimental urban regeneration projects, the council has successfully created engaging and efficient spaces for residents and visitors while improving the aesthetics of the city. The result is the creation of a people-centric and well-connected pedestrian network, which has decreased the reliance of motorised vehicles as a mode of transport in the area.

What is the project? How does it work?

The council-led project outcomes are:

1.       1. River beautification – placemaking initiatives to regenerate the old urban core of the city as well as to re-establish the connection of the city to its river, leading to increased sense of ownership of the river by city residents as well as increased tourism

2.      2. Decreased fossil fuel reliance through pedestrianisation initiatives – decreased reliance on motorised vehicles within the historic district of the city
3.  

The federal-led project outcomes are the improvements of river water quality and flood mitigation potential of the city, as well as the economic regeneration of the area, which include job creation and the provision of affordable housing.

What are the CO2 reduction goals/achievements?

With the completion of the River of Life project in the historic district, a continuous 10.7 km walkways and cycle ways will be created, providing optimised pedestrian connectivity as well as river beautification to the historic district. Additionally, improvement of the river water quality of 8 rivers (totalling 110km in length) from its WQI Class III – V, to an improved Class IIB is anticipated.

Next Steps

Kuala Lumpur will continue to facilitate beautification measures, bringing in life and vibrancy along the river corridors, including both active and passive recreational activities, educational experiences related to river and biodiversity. KLCH shall designate river corridors, implement measures to improve the amenity value of rivers and implement guidelines for development within or abutting the river corridors.

Links to further Information

http://www.klriver.org/index.cfm?&menuid=4

Contact Details

Pn. Nik Mastura Diyana binti Nik Mohamad
Senior Deputy Director (Physical Planning)
City Planning Department, City Hall of Kuala Lumpur
13th Floor, DBKL Tower 1 Jalan Raja Laut,
50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel no: +60326179551
email: diyana@dbkl.gov.my