KUALA LUMPUR: Best practices in urban renewal must be community-led and transparent, with residents’ voices shaping development rather than being sidelined, says Prof Dr Shuhana Shamsuddin.
The Malaysia Urban Design Association president said successful projects abroad showed that residents were engaged from the outset through master plans, public consultations and clear guidelines before any work began.
“In Malaysia, we don’t have that system in place yet. If you hand over the driver’s seat to developers without proper checks, people will not trust the process. That’s why I say it’s not the right time,” she said.
Shuhana expressed concern that the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) defines renewal too vaguely, grouping redevelopment, regeneration and revitalisation together without clear boundaries.
“With such vague and overlapping definitions, there is a risk of abuse in implementation. Urban rehabilitation, which is about repairing, retrofitting, repurposing or repainting buildings, should also be included under the URA,” she said at the Institute for Strategic Analysis and Policy Research's (Insap) Urban Affairs Policy Summit 2025 on Saturday (Sept 27).
She warned that putting developers in charge from the outset would deepen public distrust, given their past track records.
“The driver should be the government. Developers can execute, but they should not lead. Without such a system, the Act will only create unrest and dissatisfaction, because people feel forced into decisions they did not make,” she said.
According to Shuhana, urban renewal should go beyond construction to safeguard culture, identity and a sense of place.
“Urban design is about the bigger picture, not just buildings. It’s about giving the city its soul – its traditions, history and communities,” she said.
Shuhana also highlighted Malaysia’s international obligations, noting that as president of UN-Habitat until 2027, the country must set an example in championing sustainable, liveable and inclusive cities.
“The URA is not ready because Malaysia does not yet have the system or process to safeguard effective and fair implementation of plans and legislation for the benefit of local communities.
“It comes at the wrong time and place. If Malaysia wants to lead in the region, our urban renewal must reflect the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 11, and the New Urban Agenda – where no one is left behind and sustainable urban design becomes a key implementation tool,” she said.
