From Boo Jia Cher
You might have fantasized about owning a house in Petaling Jaya or Subang, or maybe even farther out in Elmina or Rawang. It’s possible you spent your childhood in such a place and wish to revisit those memories.
Six bedrooms. Five bathrooms. Three garages. And a garden. To numerous Malaysians, this represents achieving success. Yet, what price must be paid for such achievements?
You dedicate approximately 159 hours annually stuck in traffic. A vehicle seems necessary for each task you run. Your friends reside so distantly that frequent meetups become challenging. Moreover, handling mortgages along with upkeep expenses can be quite burdensome. As for that serene suburban lifestyle? It often feels solitary and alienating.
This goes beyond mere individual choice; it’s an ambition perpetuated by society. Once sufficient numbers of people adopt this mindset, the market adapts accordingly: builders expand urban areas, leading to deforestation and the creation of remote settlements.
A number of housing development firms are components of extensive corporate groups. These entities transform deforested palm oil plots in countryside regions into residential spaces.
It is typical for depleted agricultural land, stripped of its nutrient value for farming, to be redesignated and resold as suburban plots. Frequently, these zones are connected by major roads or motorways, which are often constructed by similar developers. As a result, numerous such road networks currently serve to integrate these distant regions with Kuala Lumpur.
The outcome has been urban expansion, extended travel times, increased toll fees, greater pollution, and diminished biodiversity. Animals such as tapirs, elephants, and tigers have fallen victim to traffic accidents on roads that now slice through former forested areas.
Dreaming of a better life isn't incorrect. However, these aspirations are causing our cities to deteriorate.
Only two choices?
Yet, why must we opt for either a distant settled-down life at home or an isolated apartment on the 25th floor?
In reality, there is a third choice: low- to mid-rise walk-up apartment buildings located within established urban areas. These structures, frequently referred to as part of the "missing middle," provide moderate-density housing options that maintain closeness without sacrificing personal touch like one might find in skyscrapers.
Picture a small walk-up flat located in a established neighborhood right at the center of Kuala Lumpur, where you have trees, supermarkets, and restaurants all nearby. The nearest Light Rail Transit station is just a 5-minute stroll away. Here, you bump into neighbors outdoors rather than passing them through car windows.
It’s not extreme. Cities such as Melbourne incorporate neighborhoods like Fitzroy and Brunswick, which blend medium-rise residences alongside public transport, retail spaces, and pedestrian-friendly designs. Similarly, in Tokyo, zones featuring small-scale buildings used for various purposes contribute to lively spots like Nakameguro, designed primarily for human activity rather than automobile use.
In their respective homelands, former bustling cities like George Town and Ipoh used to be pedestrian-friendly and vibrant. Nowadays, they have become somewhat desolate, with residents relocating to the outskirts, leaving downtown areas to undergo gentrification.
Malaysia’s opportunity to get things correct
The forthcoming Urban Renewal Act might mark a significant shift.
The older districts of Kuala Lumpur such as Sentul, Brickfields, and Pudu, which are frequently viewed as worn-out and outdated, typically feature pedestrian-friendly layouts, medium-density living, and efficient public transportation connections. These areas possess significant untapped potential.
However, renewal should steer clear of adopting a "blank slate" strategy. Instead, we require community-driven, step-by-step enhancements: renovate shop houses, construct multi-story residences, upgrade drainage systems, pedestrian paths, bicycle lanes, sanitation facilities, and public services.
Urbanist Jane Jacobs stated, "New ideas must utilize old buildings." Through intelligent policies, we can transform these historic neighborhoods into vibrant, well-connected communities with ample public transportation.
Cities designed for children, where youngsters can easily walk or cycle to school and enjoy safe recreational areas, foster improved overall growth in kids. Places like Copenhagen and Freiburg commonly feature family-oriented apartment buildings of moderate height, equipped with communal spaces and roads that see limited automobile traffic.
If owning a car isn't necessary, then that saves both money and time which can be used for more important things.
In Melbourne, Nightingale Housing constructs medium-rise, cost-effective residences without individual parking spaces, yet they come fitted with solar panels and communal gardens, all conveniently close to public transport. This demonstrates that high-density urban living can indeed be both eco-friendly and community-focused.
Confining ourselves within an uninhabitable metropolis
In Kuala Lumpur, verdant areas are few, pavements are often neglected, and public transportation options are restricted.
Consequently, individuals commute from their workplace back to their homes and confine themselves indoors. Kuala Lumpur seldom exudes the charm of a metropolis inviting one to spend time outside or stroll leisurely on foot.
The issue doesn't lie in having smaller living spaces; rather, it stems from cities failing to make these spaces livable. Individuals desire large lawns primarily for their proximity to nature and greenery. Today, developers market condominiums boasting numerous facilities since adequate public areas are scarce. As a result, people increasingly view themselves as purchasers of conveniences instead of members of an urban community.
This illustrates just how poorly KL’s urban planning has fallen short.
For far too long, we've been limited to two extremes: expansive single-story homes or impersonal skyscrapers. These may be simple to construct, yet they fail to address what people truly require.
It's time to ask for more: residences filled with respect, accessibility, and community ties—near workplaces, educational institutions, and open areas.
We cannot continue constructing 40-story buildings with 10 levels dedicated to car parks, nor should we move families to the periphery. It’s essential for developers to collaborate with urban planners to create achievable medium-rise, people-friendly living spaces within neighborhoods.
A house is more than just an area; it represents liberty, camaraderie, and being part of a metropolis.
Boo Jia Cher is a reader of FMT.
The opinions stated belong to the author and may not represent the stance of FMT.