Developers and Local Councils Urged to Transform Public Spaces

Developers and local councils have been urged to transform public spaces to align with the increasing need for urban practitioners to create great cities at the pedestrian level.

European placemaking advocate and consultancy STIPO recently facilitated a placing making workshop called The City At Eye Level Asia at Ruang by Think City. The two-day placing making workshop was also co-organised by the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP).

The aim of the workshop is to equip urban stakeholders with the tools to transform public spaces by discarding featureless façades and public spaces, and replacing them with spaces that attract the eye through colour, movement and aesthetic features.

STIPO’s Partner, Senior Advisor Hans Karssenberg (left) presented a copy of “The City at Eye Level” book to the Vice President of the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) Datin TPr. Hjh Mazrina Dato’ Abdul Khalid (right).

STIPO’s senior advisor Hans Karssenberg said: “Studies have shown that vibrant public spaces allow people to linger 30 per cent longer and spend more at surrounding businesses.”

He added that by 2030, eight out of 10 Malaysians are expected to live in cities.

Group photo: Participants of The City at Eye Level Asia workshop.

Karssenberg advises place makers to build up their knowledge and have a deeper understanding of a place that will result in a more inclusive and intimate atmosphere. He adds that it is the combination of physical, socio-economic and cultural interventions that makes a place making approach work.

The participants in the City At Eye Level workshop included representatives from the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP); Badan Warisan Budaya; Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ); Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ); Bukit Bintang Foundation; Think City; and Nextdor Property Communications. –Construction + Online