Headline Taking the nation to the next level MediaTitle Focus Date 05 Jan 2019 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 16,405 Page No 17,20 Readership 49,215 Language English ArticleSize 2197 cm² Journalist JOSEPH WONG AdValue RM 37,828 Frequency Weekly PR Value RM 113,484

FocusM | Jan 5-11,2019 17 property

ransit-oriented developments (TODs) are fast taking shape in Tthe Valley as the country's public transportation system is undergoing a radical change with the mass rapid transit (MRT) and light rail transit (LRT) changing the way people travel. These billion-ringgit developments are set to change the way urbanites live, work and play as TODs create their own micro- ecosystems within the city. P.20-21 Headline Taking the nation to the next level MediaTitle Focus Malaysia Date 05 Jan 2019 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 16,405 Page No 17,20 Readership 49,215 Language English ArticleSize 2197 cm² Journalist JOSEPH WONG AdValue RM 37,828 Frequency Weekly PR Value RM 113,484

Taking the nation to the next level

Iransit-oriented devel- More TODs are opments (TODs) are finding its own the future of urbanisa- tion in the Klang identity Valley. Therfe are already several These compact, transit-oriented projects in the walkable, mixed-use and developers are planning for more TODs. developments But these projects, valued at increase density but billions of ringgit, will not be a are targeted to replica of one another as each will reduce the have its own micro-ecosystem. Already the mass rapid transit dependence on line (MRT) 1 is gradually making vehicles an impact on the way the new generation travels. Also, extended light rail tran- sit (LRlj) lines, improved rail services and the emergence of more ride-hailing services are by making TOD projects more Joseph Wong attractive. TOD projects have been mushrooming, mimicking and Damansara LRT station, Awan adapting lessons learned from the Besar LRT station, nation's first transportation hub LRT station and IOI Puchongjaya KL Sentral. LRT station. A quick count shows 24 TODs "TOD will take the nation's are in working progress in adcli- technology hub to the next level. ton to the RM8.3 bil KL Sentral, In the near future, we will see six which has a couple of parcels of TODs in , near undeveloped land yet to be added the , KL to the already massive project, Metropolis, DC Residency Kuala says Zeijin Properties Sdn Bhd Lumpur, Kwasa Damansara and merger & acquisitions - business D'Sara Sentral. space executive Kevin Low. "In addition, PRiMA has He tells FocusM that embarked on several TOD pro- Malaysian Resources Corporation jects in the Klang Valley at various Bhd (MRCB), the developer of KL locations — including Cempaka, Sentral, is also involved in three , Pandan Jaya, other TODs, namely PJ Sentral in , Bandar Baru Sentul, , City Jelatek, Kinrara and Bandar Centre and Kwasa Sentral in Puteri," Low explains. Sungai Bploh, which have a gross And this is not even taking development value (GDV) of RM11 into consideration other mega bil, Rmn bil and RM10.5 bil projects like Eco World respectively. Development Group Bhd's RM8.7 There are seven TODs along bil City Centre the LRT and Express Rail Link (BBCC), the RM40 bil Tun Razak (ERL) routes which are the Exchange and the yet-to-be LRT station, the revived Bandar Malaysia, which Salak Tiijiggi ERL station. Dang had a GDV of RM160 bil prior to Wangi LRT station, Ara being shelved. Headline Taking the nation to the next level MediaTitle Focus Malaysia Date 05 Jan 2019 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 16,405 Page No 17,20 Readership 49,215 Language English ArticleSize 2197 cm² Journalist JOSEPH WONG AdValue RM 37,828 Frequency Weekly PR Value RM 113,484

KL Sentral is Malaysia's first TOD which many developers are seeking to duplicate

Why TODs? "Ideally, the objective of TOD is to foster an ultimate goal that everyone can benefit in our living environment with an efficient public transport system in keep- ing with the trend of a higher and higher urbanised popula- tion," says Veritas Design Group senior architect Lee Chuin Shane. "Therefore, to classify as a TOD in this sense, as bringing as much benefit as possible to all people by encouraging people to use public transport, we need to Lee stresses that public continuously explore and transportation must be cheaper improve a well-thought out A draft guideline is being Liu: The main aim of TODs is to and more convenient at a TOD design and planning strategy [as prepared by the authorities for enhance mobility and well as] policies/guidelines for TODs, says Low productivity TODs. therefore most people will not "[This is] within the hierar- enjoy the benefit of an effective chical setting of the urban con- public transportation stations, as well optimise the land usage public transportation system, he text, bringing in true benefits to Lee says. around the transit station, says. the people with taxpayer money With so many developers explains Mount Assets Solutions "A typical TOD shall ideally be being spent on the development trying to leverage their properties Sdn Bhd managing director David within 400m to 800m to a station for stimulating domestic eco- as TODs, the question is how a Liu. which represents a pedestrian's nomic growth," he adds. property development can qual- Property developments that walking distance of five to 10 It is important that TOD is ify as a viable TOD. happen to be too far away from minutes," he explains. public transport-driven and that The main objective of a TOD transit stations cannot be consid- Unfortunately, there is no its mixed development compo- is to enhance mobility and pro- ered as TODs as they are not universal definition for a TOD as nents are well-connected to the ductivity of the urban population directly linked to the stations and the property need not contain every component, namely resi- dential, commercial, office, retail and hotel, to qualify as one, says a property analyst. "If you look at lUtama Shopping Centre and lPowerhouse, there is no resi- dential component to these TODs and yet they are classified as such," he notes. "A property can be just one component and still be called a TOD for the fact that it is con- nected to a transit station." That said, there are guidelines regarding such developments. "There is a draft guideline that is being prepared by the FDTCP (Federal Department of Town and Country Planning)," says Zerin's Low. It is believed to be in line with the National Physical Plan Headline Taking the nation to the next level MediaTitle Focus Malaysia Date 05 Jan 2019 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 16,405 Page No 17,20 Readership 49,215 Language English ArticleSize 2197 cm² Journalist JOSEPH WONG AdValue RM 37,828 Frequency Weekly PR Value RM 113,484

Policy that states that "high pri- that moving forward, TODs is a portation is cheaper and more says all the aspects of such devel- ority shall be given to achieve trend as it is relevant to market convenient than private cars and opment do not seem to have been energy-efficient compact cities," needs. motorcycles, says Veritas' Lee. thought out properly. he adds. "For example, [in the past] People must see public trans- "The prices of the residential "Here 'liveable compact residential developments did not portation as the best choice or units in TODs are still too high so development' is described as a focus on security features as it option for this to take off, he they are out of reach for the method that places a mix of high was not what the market or explains. income groups that should be intensity uses within a 400m people needed during that time," "On the other hand, private benefiting from the transit sta- radius of rail- or bus-based tran- he points out. residential developments within tions," he points out. sit station, and where public "Now, gated and guarded as the defined TOD zones have "Who are the users? If you transport, walking and cycling well nice landscaping are impor- become less and less affordable to look at cities around the world, are the main modes of transpor- tant features to be considered in the majority of the lower income the users of the MRTs and LRTs tation," he explains. landed residential development. groups and [clue to the] slower are the middle income group - Any distance further may not As the city develops, it becomes rise in salaries [versus the price the lower side of the M40. The be beneficial for users or buyers very relevant to have TODs to hikes of such properties]," he rich won't take public transporta- of units more than 500m without cater to the modern needs espe- says. tion. They have chauffeurs. They other amenities such as covered cially in the city." The question is, are the vari- have expensive cars. walkway or elevated pedestrian ous income groups benefiting "If you look at the demo- bridge over busy roads, adds Lee. Ridership must increase from the TOD master plan, he graphics, the middle-class uses There are also pedestrian or But having the property devel- asks. the MRT and LRT while the lower cyclist safety concerns to be con- oped as a TOD is only one part of Considering that TODs are income group generally uses the sidered, he says. the puzzle. There are other chal- destined to be a driver of the bus," he says. Nevertheless, Liu believes lenges like ensuring public trans- Malaysian economy, the analyst This has to be made right if the government is to encourage more people to use public trans- portation to increase ridership, he contends. "The future development of transit corridors and associated terminals and stations are the new centres of urban activity and economic catalysts. That also means that the TODs have to be less dependent on vehicles and instigators of pedestrian and transit friendly TODs. "These compact, walkable, mixed-use developments increase density and in turn reduce the dependence on vehi- cles," he says. On the whole, TODs create a thriving ecosystem within a city, and ultimately become a place for residents to create a community, says the analyst. There are appealing ele- ments of the urban core when integrated into a suburban con- text that creates a true sense of place that can work in a micro- environment like a TOD, he says.

An artist's impression of the RM8.7 bil Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) project •MHIM!|