Feature Stories | ARTS & PUBLIC SPACES
Urban Regeneration
Think City is an urban regeneration organisation that aims to create liveable and sustainable cities in Malaysia. The Hasanah-funded organisation supports community-driven initiatives through the public grants programme, alongside implementing its own management initiatives in partnership with local and international partners.
Think City’s first outreach was in George Town, Penang, where they successfully activated 240 urban regeneration projects which added to the overall charm of Penang as a vibrant and culturally rich city.
Established in 2009 by Khazanah Nasional, Think City has since launched initiatives in Butterworth, Kuala Lumpur, Sungai Perai and Johor Bahru.
| Think City Achievements in 2018 |
|---|
| Created and hosted the WUF9 Village at Medan Pasar and 2 Hang Kasturi with key partners such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Air Asia Foundation, MaGIC, Parisign and edotco in conjunction with the 9th World Urban Forum |
| Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Habitat in May 2018 to support the production of the World Cities Report 2019 |
| Formed the Malaysian chapter of the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU) in December 2018 |
| Appointed as the lead agency (along with Khazanah Nasional) to transform the area around Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad Building to facilitate the creation of a vibrant, creative and cultural hub. |
Laneway Enhancements in Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and Johor Bahru
Neglected smaller roads and alleys in Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and Johor Bahru are to be given a fresh breath of life with Think City’s rehabilitation project.
Think City, together with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), have introduced the Laneway Improvement Programme which will see nine laneways undergoing an upgrading programme.
The new and improved Lorong Yap Ah Loy
The selected laneways are Lorong Bandar 13, Lorong Lebuh Ampang, Lorong Hang Lekiu, Lorong Tun HS Lee South, Lorong Tun HS Lee North, Lorong Yap Ah Loy, Lorong Pudu, Lorong Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Lorong Hang Kasturi South.
These laneways will be transformed into safe, clean, functional and attractive laneways for the benefit of local stakeholders and pedestrians.
In Johor Bahru, Think City are working with Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru to revamp a laneway between Jalan Tan Hiok Nee and Jalan Dhoby.
An extension to the Butterworth Art Walk was unveiled in June 2018, which added more buzz to the neglected laneways in the old part of Butterworth.
Butterworth Outer Ring Road
Think City and Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (MPSP) introduced the country’s first design competition for “dead space” under highway flyovers.
The first site for this competition is located under the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR), about 250 metres from Penang Sentral. The competition aims to maximise unused spaces and improve liveability in Butterworth by creating a landscape space which promotes greenery, biodiversity and community resiliency.
Registry Week 2018
Registry Week 2018 is a public, multi-night event in which volunteers walk the streets block by block and use a common assessment tool to interview each person experiencing homelessness. Over four nights in September 2018, 245 people experiencing homelessness were interviewed.
The research found that 55% of respondents are likely to exit homelessness with the help of rapid housing and time-limited resources, while 36% of respondents are at a high risk of significant adverse outcomes to their well-being, requiring urgent permanent housing.
Feature Stories | ARTS & PUBLIC SPACES
A safe space to play
On 27 November 2018, the children of Felda Lurah Bilut, Pahang was presented a safe space to enjoy their childhood and explore their capabilities as the fifth Cruyff Court opened its gates to the local community.
Hasanah, together with Amsterdam-based Johan Cruyff Foundation, have been developing several Cruyff Courts across Malaysia since 2012 when the first court was launched in Johor.
A Cruyff Court is the modern interpretation of the timeless neighbourhood football pitch. Featuring artificial grass and tall blue fencing around it, these courts aim to be a safe space for children to play, learn new skills and discover their talents.
The latest Cruyff Court at Felda Lurah Bilut was officiated by the Minister of Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Across the globe, Cruyff Courts have been an important asset to its surrounding neighborhood as it also serves as a social function. As an inclusive space for children and youths, it brings together people through the activities that are organized and increases social cohesion.
The Cruyff Foundation Coach course in Malaysia was also introduced in November 2018 with the aim of training locals to be role models for children.
Eligible Malaysian coaches and youth workers above the age of 21 will go through an internationally recognized training course to be role models in their communities.
These coaches will then organise events to inspire a younger generation through the Heroes of the Cruyff Courts Programme.
Being a part of this programme has not only helped enhance our team’s leadership skills, it also strengthens our understanding of our local youths and their needs within the community.
I hope to see this programme extended nationwide so that we can someday hold a major tournament featuring Cruyff Court players from all over the country,
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