PETALING JAYA: A new framework is under way to enhance the quality, safety and inclusiveness of public spaces in line with international standards.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said under the MY Public Space initiative, Malaysia is not merely building parks or public spaces.
The country is creating a more coordinated approach to manage these areas so that they are safer, more inclusive, sustainable and of higher quality for the well-being of the people, he said.
“It will also help elevate Malaysia’s image as a liveable and environmentally sustainable nation,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The initiative – to be carried out by the National Landscape Department (JLN) and Urbanice Malaysia, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) – was announced at the launch of the National Landscape Day 2026 in Melaka on Friday night.
Nga said the strategic cooperation with UN-Habitat would help raise Malaysia’s public space standards to a global level, eventually strengthening the country’s position in sustainable, inclusive and liveable urban development.
Nga said JLN would focus on four areas, including strengthening the competitiveness of the landscape industry through innovation, skills development and greater access to international markets.
It would also address climate change through the effective implementation of the 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign, ecosystem restoration and the development of green urban infrastructure, he added.
Other priorities include expanding quality green networks to support sustainable cities, as well as developing community gardens and elderly-friendly parks to improve urban food security and support an ageing population.
The National Landscape Day 2026, which will ends today, is expected to attract more than 80,000 visitors.
This year’s celebration also set a Malaysia Book of Records for the largest number of furniture pieces produced from waste wood within 24 hours.
