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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright August 2024
In the charming and upscale enclave of Bukit Damansara, our breakfast gatherings often turn into brainstorming sessions about improving our beloved community. On a recent morning, as we savoured our roti canai and kopi tarik, the Chairman of our mosque, Masjid Saidina Umar Al-Khattab (MSUA), Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, passionately spoke about the dire need for a proper park and a Food and Beverage area akin to Bukit Bintang.
Little did we know, our musings would resonate with the Minister of Federal Territories’ vision, shared on the very same day.
Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, in a report by Bernama, underscored the necessity for green spaces and thoughtful city planning. She highlighted the growing population of Greater Kuala Lumpur, now over 8.8 million and projected to reach 9.8 million by 2030. This rapid growth, she emphasised, demands proactive infrastructure planning from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
“This population growth not only involves the natural increase within urban areas but also a high influx of migration from rural areas,” Dr. Zaliha explained.
The pressure on existing infrastructure, coupled with issues like air pollution and the lack of green spaces, necessitates significant improvements to ensure Kuala Lumpur remains a livable city.
As we contemplated the Chairman’s vision of a Bukit Bintang-style Food and Beverage area, Dr. Zaliha was simultaneously advocating for the same ideals on a broader scale. Her address emphasized the importance of creating spaces that enhance the quality of life for all city dwellers.
We believe Bukit Damansara deserves its own pedestrian-friendly food and beverage mall, complemented by lush open spaces. Specifically, closing Jalan Medan Setia Satu to traffic and transforming it into a vibrant pedestrian mall could be a game-changer. This would not only relocate the unsightly stalls and food trucks away from the main road but also create a charming, high-end dining and leisure destination that reflects our community’s stature.
Dr. Zaliha’s unveiling of the 10 Planning Guidelines for the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur 2024 aligns perfectly with our breakfast table ambitions. These guidelines, which include plans for Madani residency, hawker space facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, and low-carbon buildings, are a testament to a forward-thinking approach.
“Every development decision must be made with careful consideration to ensure a balance between development and the well-being of city dwellers,” Dr. Zaliha noted.
Her inclusive approach, involving detailed studies and stakeholder consultations, promises a positive impact on all city residents.
As we dream of strolling through a pedestrian mall, sipping lattes and enjoying artisanal pastries, we remain hopeful that DBKL will heed these guidelines and our community’s needs.
With the minister’s vision and our collective aspirations, Bukit Damansara could soon see the transformation it deserves.
Here’s to the delightful possibility that our breakfast conversations could spark real change, turning our beloved neighbourhood into an even more vibrant and green haven.
After all, when community dreams and ministerial plans align, anything is possible.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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