Razak Mansion shows urban renewal can work

Renewed: The ageing Razak Mansion flats (left) were transformed into modern apartments with 100% of the residents of the old flats giving their consent for the project. — Photos: Filepics/The Star

OF late, the Urban Renewal Bill, recently tabled in Parliament, has dominated headlines. Amid the noise, we need to separate valid concerns from misplaced fears. As Chairperson of the Bukit Bintang Parliamentary Zone Residents’ Representative Council, Kuala Lumpur, I have some experience in managing the delicate balance between community needs and developmental goals.

Public discussion of the Bill over the past weeks has been dominated by two concerns. The first relates to consent thresholds, with critics arguing that some of the requirements are still too low and risk sidelining minority owners. Clearly, there is room for improvement. The second concern is the fear of displacement. Many residents worry about being forced out of their homes without proper compensation or guarantees of equal or better housing.