This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 18, 2024 - March 24, 2024

Kuala Lumpur has evolved over time to become a cosmopolitan city that is a successful marriage of old and new. As time progresses, however, older parts of the capital are slowly being left by the wayside, much like a former favourite toy left forgotten in the cupboard.

Think City Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd, is working with the relevant stakeholders to brush off the dust and help revitalise KL’s historical sections. The organisation’s objective is clear: to make cities more liveable, resilient and sustainable.

Established in 2009, Think City has carried out regeneration activities in the George Town Unesco heritage zone in Penang. Using a community-first, evidence-based approach, the organisation has enabled stakeholders to restore old buildings and activate public spaces with financial assistance in the form of grants as well as through data-based advice and guidance.

Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed believes in the importance of looking beyond the building to its potential as a place that elevates city life and that is “historically intact but relevant for the future”.

One of the ways in which it is helping elevate downtown KL’s historical venues is via the Kuala Lumpur Creative & Cultural District (KLCCD) Strategic Master Plan developed in 2019.

Think City says in a press statement that the master plan is “designed to foster an inclusive, authentic and viable creative cultural centre that knits together heritage, culture and innovation, enhancing visitor appeal, business prospects and overall liveability for its residents”.

The KLCCD covers an area of 20 sq km (about 2,000ha), with the core area measuring 1.08 sq km and stretching from Little India in the north to the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station in the south, and from Dataran Merdeka in the west to the schools in Bukit Nanas in the east.

As in Penang, the KLCCD plan includes providing grants such as the Creative KL Grants Programme and the Creative KL Urban Challenge to encourage and empower grassroots-led activities in contributing to downtown KL’s rejuvenation. Furthermore, there is also activation of public spaces with traditional and contemporary art-related activities such as Arts On The Move.

These grants and activities are supported by the RM15 million allocation from the federal government in its Budget 2023 as well as a RM20 million allocation in Budget 2024.

To showcase some of the places that have benefited from the grants and assistance, Think City took the media on a walkabout last year.

Within a short section of Jalan Tun H S Lee, sandwiched between Jalan Gereja and Jalan Tun Perak, and a short walk from Masjid Jamek LRT station is a row of shophouses that have benefited from Think City’s Downtown KL Grants Programme (DTKLGP).

They include the HSS Pocket Park, a small public park formed out of the courtyard of a now-defunct backpackers hostel that the owner has closed because of the pandemic. The park provides seating areas and tables for the public to read or have a cup of coffee, with leafy plants offering a refreshing change of scene from the concrete jungle outside.

Some of the commercial spaces in the refurbished shophouses are occupied by tenants, such as Rumah Gambus. This mini music gallery founded by gambus expert Raja Zulkarnain showcases his love for the musical instrument that is similar to a lute.

There is also Riwayat Bookstore, an independent bookstore selling local and international books that are new, old and rare. It has a collection of first-edition books and organises book readings for bibliophiles.

Also benefiting from Think City’s efforts is Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad. Built in 1909, it is one of the oldest mosques in the city and received Think City funds in 2017 for building assessment and roof repairs.

Think City is also working with the mosque committee in its Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad Improvement Plan to conserve the building and provide an immersive cultural experience for visitors.

In addition, the Masjid Jamek Enclave Action Plan aims to enhance the surroundings of the Masjid Jamek LRT station to make it the gateway to downtown KL.

From the LRT station, it is a short walk to Central Market, a former wet market that has been transformed into a popular tourist attraction. Within the premises, located on the upper level is C-Space, a community space for engagement with the downtown KL community to foster closer relationships through talks, exhibitions, workshops and other activities.

As an educational benefit, the KL Story Exhibition is also set up in C-Space to showcase the historical evolution of KL and the creative and cultural institutions of downtown KL.

Besides engagement spaces, Think City is also active in transforming neglected back and side lanes that attract negative elements related to drugs or other vices.

One such lane that has benefited from Think City’s grants is Lorong Bandar 11, which is adjacent to Central Market. Less than 50m long, this lane was a favourite hangout of loiterers and in an unkempt condition. Today, it is well lit with pleasant landscaping that has improved security. This lane leads to another beneficiary of Think City’s efforts, which is the historical Sin Sze Si Ya Temple.

The oldest Taoist temple in Kuala Lumpur, it was established in 1864 by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy, a key figure in KL’s history and who was instrumental in developing the city.  The current temple replaced the original temple on land donated by Yap Ah Loy in 1882. In 2020, the temple was awarded National Heritage status by Jabatan Warisan Negara.

The temple owns 10 shophouses in the vicinity that were in need of restoration. It received a grant from Think City in 2018 to restore their façade because of their architectural heritage and significance to the city.  The work was completed in 2019. 

To further enhance the lifestyle activities in KL, Think City also curates art and performances, including the Arts On The Move (AOTM) programme. Set up in 2016, the programme was located at Masjid Jamek LRT station and was moved in 2023 to the Pasar Seni MRT station.

AOTM is organised by Think City in collaboration with MRT Corp and City Hall (DBKL), and supported by Yayasan Sime Darby and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Performances held last year included those by Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana with members of music ensemble Tarakucha, MyDance Alliance, Ruwano Handpan Studio and the Young KL Singers. The line-up for 2024 has yet to be finalised.

The temporary art installations set up in 2023 in the vicinity of Pasar Seni MRT station and in the station itself will continue this year. They are Oculus, Prism, The Forest and Sunnyside Up.

Oculus uses a mirror to symbolise parallel realities and infinite possibilities; Prism leverages natural and artificial light to create dynamic, colour-shifting experiences using truncated pyramid forms; The Forest uses remnants of nature collected from different parts of the Klang Valley and assembled in a forest installation with branches and 3D printed joints; and Sunnyside Up is an installation in the MRT station that brings a sense of light into the station.

These are some of the projects that Think City’s grants and activities have uplifted and that have created economic and social benefits for the users and residents. While efforts to change mindsets and bring together stakeholders seem immense, the buy-in is slowly growing. It is hoped that, in time, there will be greater prosperity and a sustainable future for all Malaysians.

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