Move to make KL most livable city by 2020

By Sharen Kaur
sharen@nstp.com.my
Published in NST on October 20, 2010

THE aim to make Greater Kuala Lumpur a sustainable and livable city can easily be achieved with high-quality infrastructure, green spaces and developing inner city residential areas.

Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Datuk Raja Nong Chik Datuk Raja Zainal Abidin said a flexible strategic vision was necessary to foster competitiveness and build a comprehensive transportation linkage and network in the area.

He said projects like the RM40 billion mass rapid transit system (MRT), increasing pedestrian walkways and the Klang River beautification project to promote recreation, urban revitalisation and real- estate development will contribute in making Kuala Lumpur one of the most livable cities in the world by 2020.

"The Tenth Malaysia Plan has dedicated a whole chapter on the building of an environment that enhances the quality of life. We are encouraging better city designs and innovations," Raja Nong Chik said in his speech at the opening of the 2nd International Conference on World Class Sustainable Cities 2010 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

A sustainable city is a city designed with consideration of environmental impact to improve the quality of life. This includes ecological, cultural, political, institutional, social and economic components, without leaving a burden on the future generations.

"A thriving city will continue to grow. It is therefore vital to properly plan a city to meet future needs and challenges," he said.

The Greater KL is one of the National Key Economic Areas. It is expected to increase gross national income contribution from RM258 billion to RM650 billion per year.

The government wants to achieve top-20 ranking in the EIU Liveability Index Survey and grow the population from six million to 10 million, with a focus on growing the foreign talent base from 9 per cent to 20 per cent of the population.

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