Greater Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley region (GKL/KV) are fast on track at battling its way into the list of top 20 of most liveable cities globally by 2020. The city’s metamorphosis into a world-class conurbation with substantial economic growth will be realized once four key aspects have been fulfilled.

These four key aspects include centring the GKL/KV area as a magnet, to connect the GKL/KV, to identify new places within the area, and finally to enhance services found in the GKL/KV. This goal will be achieved with nine Entry Point Projects (EPPs) set to bring this vision to life.

The projects include Multi-National Corporation Attraction, Talent Attraction, High-Speed Rail Connectivity, MY Rapid Transit, River of Life, Greener KL, Iconic Places, Pedestrian Network, and Solid Waste Management.

Of these nine projects, the River of Life, Greener KL, Iconic Places, and Pedestrian Network have been given precedence by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

The River of Life project will see the transformation of Klang Valley Rivers, particularly the 10.7km stretch of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, into a buzzing waterfront. The transformation contains three components, namely river cleaning, beautification, and land development.

Taking a page out of the playbooks of other countries who have bustling riverside economic activity such as Singapore, Australia, China, and America, KL City Hall Physical Planning Unit director, Zainab Mohd Ghazali, says that river restoration is particularly important.

*“They serve as an identity and icon for Klang Valley and in particular to the commercial capital of the country. Transforming the forgotten river front may give birth to a vibrant riverside economy,” said Zainab

The emphasis of the Greener KL project on the other hand, is to improve livability standards by creating and providing spaces that have a green-focused development policy. This would hopefully in turn increase property values alongside creating a sustainable environment.

Additionally, the GKL/KV is looking at rebranding Kuala Lumpur’s iconic places to elevate the overall appeal of the city while increasing tourism revenue.

Apart from spiffing up the city’s landscapes and natural splendors, a comprehensive Pedestrian Network can further improve connectivity between transit nodes, increase retail activities at these spots, and encourage a better use of the public transportation.

That being said, improvements to the public transportation sectors are also being made in hopes of making traversing the GKL/KV area a cinch in the future.

The GKL/KV area comprises of 10 municipalities totalling 2,900sq km, each governed by their own respecting authoritative councils.

*Quote taken from: New Straits Times

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