Towards a sustainable & vibrant KL metropolitan and beyond
A breathtaking and panoramic view of Petronas Twin Towers at the heart of Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Petaling Jaya, 11 May 2017 – In conjunction with the today’s press conference held at Wisma Rehda, Kelana Jaya, REHDA Malaysia is proud to present the 9th season of the annual ‘International Conference on World Class Sustainable Cities 2017 (WCSC 2017) to be held at The Royal Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, 10 August 2017. With the official support and endorsement of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), this year’s WCSC conference series theme “Transforming Cities: Design, Nature and Human Lives” will address and reflect on present and future urban challenges faced by major cities in meeting the demands of ever-increasing populous nations, as well as achieving a high-income economy status.
The 21st Century is widely regarded as a century of cities. The proliferation of cities all across the globe are swelling, compounding social and environmental sustainability challenges. Henceforth, cities have to transform, reinvent themselves and rethink policies that lead to solutions towards millennial challenges. Cities have essentially become laboratories for innovation where innovative ideas, entrepreneurship and social dynamism are incubated, implemented and elevated to broader national consciousness. Unprecedented growth in urban population means that that the right strategies and actions need to be in place in order to have cities and towns that cater to the needs of the people towards providing a better and sustainable quality of life for all citizens.
A global line-up of icons
This year’s WCSC 2017 to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will showcase an exciting line-up of distinguished world-class speakers – globally renowned for their unique expertise, innovative ideas and creative solutions towards a better and more sustainable quality of city life. The WCSC 2017 Organizing Committee has also invited four esteemed international speakers including Mr. Takayuki Kubo (senior researcher, Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center, Fukuoka, Japan), Mr. Mochamad Ridwan Kamil (Mayor of Bandung, Indonesia (TBC)), Mr. Pascal Mittermaier (Global Managing Director, Cities of The Nature Conservancy, USA (TBC)), and Professor Huang Tianqi (Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University, China (TBC)). These renowned and iconic speakers will share their knowledge and experience with an audience of more than 550 delegates representing the various industries – from city managers, government employees, residents’ groups, NGOs, and stakeholders. (TBC = “to be confirmed”)
Support from local government
With its distinctive collaboration between the three professional bodies representing property developers, planners and architects, the three-partner organizations are proud and honoured to have the Honourable Mayor, Y.Bhg. Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd. Amin Nordin bin Abdul Aziz and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for their continual support and endorsement for the upcoming ninth WCSC series. The WCSC 2017 Organizing Committee commends DBKL for their vision and insight in supporting WCSC since its inception in 2009. The in-depth vision from the sharing of knowledge and experiences by past WCSC international conference speakers have had a positive and influential impact in knowledge sharing, and shifting public mindsets and perceptions on the many benefits and challenges encountered in becoming a “World Class Sustainable and Livable City”.
World-class international projects
Some of the major projects being implemented in Kuala Lumpur have been learned and adapted from successful projects undertaken in other World-Class Cities include the transformation of Cheongyecheon River restoration in Seoul – South Korea was a great prelude to Kuala Lumpur’s ‘River of Life’ project; Brazil’s Curitiha experience for its exemplary city transportation solutions; Hong Kong and Singapore’s pedestrianization projects that include covered walkway systems to make cities for the people; the metamorphosis of Kaohsiung, Taiwan from an industrial polluter to an ecological tourism hub and demonstrating that livable cities are creative and competitive; and place-making initiatives by creating and sustaining public spaces that build stronger communities and happier residents.
WCSC Malaysian Chapter
The panel of speakers who presided over the press conference include Pn. Nik Mastura Diyana (DBKL), Pn. Khairiah Talha (MIP), TPr. Haji Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar (MIP), Pn. Ra Adrina Mustaza (REHDA Youth), Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail (PAM), Ar. Mustapha Kamal (PAM), and Mr. Chan Kin Meng (REHDA Wilayah Persekutuan). As part of the WCSC 2017 programme, there will also be ‘Masterclass Sessions’ to be led and moderated by esteemed speakers to study, deliberate and delve into greater attributes for the city transformation of Kuala Lumpur pertaining to the opportunities and challenges based on specific case study areas in Kuala Lumpur. An exclusive photography competition with the theme “Transforming Cities: Design, Nature and Human Lives” was also launched during the press conference.
This photography competition aims to capture the people, the lives, the places, and the opportunities that Malaysians living in cities have or do not have – places that can be transformed into areas that enrich people’s lives. The general public is duly invited and welcome to share and to participate in this competition with attractive prizes to be won. For further information, kindly contact Mr. Soon Teck Giap (WCSC 2017 Conference Secretariat) at, email directly to:- / / , or visit: www.wcsckl.com
About WCSC 2017
WCSC 2017 is jointly-organized by the “3 Partner Organizations”, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (REHDA Malaysia) together with REHDA Wilayah Persekutuan (REHDA WP), and REHDA Kuala Lumpur (REHDA KL), in association with the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM). Initiated in 2009, the concept of World Class Sustainable Cities (WCSC) has provided a constructive platform to educate and engage all shareholders on the benefits and challenges faced by Kuala Lumpur in becoming a World Class City, an aspiration expressed in its Structure Plan. WCSC has also been specifically designed to showcase the best and most successful practices and experiences from other World Class Cities. It has since gained recognition and prominence among built-environment professionals, city managers, government agencies, residents’ groups as well as corporate stakeholders. For additional details on REHDA, MIP and PAM, check out the following websites:- www.rehda.com , www.mip.org.my , www.pam.org.my
