We can’t just bulldoze our way to better cities

Photo: KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

THE draft Urban Renewal Act, presented by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, has sparked a crucial debate about the future of Malaysia’s cities. While the intention to rejuvenate ageing urban areas is commendable, the Act’s approach is a flawed fix. It focuses on the symptom – old, poorly managed buildings – while ignoring the disease – a broken system of urban planning and management.

The core issue plaguing our urban landscape, especially stratified properties, isn’t old age; it’s poor governance. We have a chronic failure in building management, compounded by a fragmented policy framework.