(From left) Citibank Berhad corporate affairs vice-president Sara Yasmine, Fong, Hamdan, DBKL Project Implementation and Building Maintenance Department senior deputy director (architect) Hanum Ali Zainal, department deputy director (architect) Sharifah Junaidah Syed Omar and Kuala Lumpur Hawker's and Petty Traders Association representative Chik Chi Wai at the launch of Lorong Fest.
ALLEYS are usually seen as dingy, ominous places that are best avoided.
But they do not have to stay that way and can be transformed into safe spaces that people actually want to spend time in.
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Historical lanes
(From left) Citibank Berhad corporate affairs vice-president Sara Yasmine, Fong, Hamdan, DBKL Project Implementation and Building Maintenance Department senior deputy director (architect) Hanum Ali Zainal, department deputy director (architect) Sharifah Junaidah Syed Omar and Kuala Lumpur Hawker's and Petty Traders Association representative Chik Chi Wai at the launch of Lorong Fest.
Side lanes in Kuala Lumpur are often taken up by hawker stalls.
The programme targets alleyways like this to turn them into community spaces.
Madras Lane in Kuala Lumpur was an entertainment hub. People now flock to it in search of hawker fare. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
The Pasar Karat in Kuala Lumpur is a gathering place for people looking to buy cheap and unusual objects. — Photos: LOW Lay PHON/The Star
The Laneways Improvement programme will include repairing the targeted side and back lanes like broken drain covers.
Hamdan: “The community takes centre stage in the early phases of the process.”
Fong hopes the initiative will create opportunities for businesses and nurture appreciation for Kuala Lumpur’s cultural history.
An example of an alleyway turned into a tourist attraction. The Laneways Improvement programme is targeting Lorong Bandar 13, Lorong Sisi Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Lorong Bandar 11, Lorong Hang Lekiu and Madras Lane.
Side lanes help with connectivity in Kuala Lumpur but are frequently blocked like this instance, by a stall.
Hanum: “Intervention like this can help to revive an area that is neither used well nor safe.”
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