With about 50 percent of Kuala Lumpur’s public spaces undeveloped, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) breathed new life into these unused public spaces such as side lanes and alleys by repainting old buildings with colourful murals, as well as re-tiling and repaving walkways, among others, reported The Star.
“When you think about public spaces, people think its that park or garden or even an open space that belongs to the city, but not utilised,” said DBKL Project Implementation and Building Maintenance Department Deputy Director Norzaini Noordin.
“People tend to pass through lanes and alleys as shortcuts to their destinations without giving it a second thought…What we are doing now is to bring life back into these spaces by developing it into charming little nooks in the city where the spot can be turned into a lively place for business.”
First initiated in 2015, the project identified 20 areas in downtown Kuala Lumpur, namely within Jalan Alor, the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) and Bukit Bintang, for potential regeneration.
Norzaini noted that works at Jalan Alor’s surroundings, covering Jalan Tong Shin, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Tengkat Tong Shin, Jalan Alor and Jalan Berangan, had since been completed.
DBKL plans to rejuvenate other areas within the city centre such Brickfields, Bangsar and Titiwangsa.
To cost around RM1.5 million, the project would involve eight locations with the rejuvenation works expected to be completed by end-2018.
To date, Laman Rembia, a backlane of Jalan Rembia, is undergoing refurbishment works with the buildings within the area being painted with a garden in the city theme.
With the works adding vibrancy to the area, the old shophouses and buildings that were once used as living quarters for foreign workers have been turned by owners into little cafes and cake shops, said DBKL project architect Natasha Azim Hussin.
Norzaini revealed that the residents and business community have resisted the project at first, “that I was even threatened with my life”.
“But we started anyway and slowly when people began to see the transformation taking place in some back lanes, their attitude about it also took a turn for the better,” she said.
In fact, the man who used to threaten her has now become an advocate of the change.
Describing the move as the best thing DBKL did for the community, Kawasan Rukun Tetangga Jalan Angkosa Chairman Kam Choon Fatt said: “Before people won’t dare go to the backlanes for fear of being mugged. Now they are not afraid any more, as the place is bright and vibrant and teeming with tourists.”
“Business is also very good,” he said.
DBKL also collaborated with Think City to make alleys into clean, safe and functional spaces in areas such as Lorong Hang Lekiu, Lebuh Ampang, Lorong Tun HS Lee south, Lorong Tun HS Lee north, Lorong Pudu, Lorong Yap Ah Loy, Lorong Hang Kasturi south and Lorong Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
To cost RM300,000, the project is set to be completed in October.
Image sourced from The Star Online
This article was edited by the editorial team of PropertyGuru. To contact them about this or other stories email editorialteam@propertyguru.com.my
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