Sime Darby Property plans to build more inclusive playgrounds in its townships and developments

KUALA LUMPUR (March 2): Sime Darby Property Bhd is planning to build more inclusive playgrounds in its townships and developments across Malaysia in the near future, said deputy chief operating officer, township development, Appollo Leong.

The inclusive playground envisioned by the property developer was designed in collaboration with critical end-users such as children with and without disabilities, parents, grandparents and technical specialists, namely, organisations of persons with disabilities, early intervention practitioners and educators, Leong told the media after a virtual launch of Malaysia’s first inclusive playground at City of Elmina township on Wednesday (March 1).

He said the company designed and built the country’s inaugural “inclusive playground” in the township as a pilot project.

“We wanted to incorporate as much as possible what we learned from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) as our partner. Every child has equal rights to play and to enjoy the outdoors, and this ‘inclusive playground’ will enable that,” he said.

Leong said children’s developmental needs are important and need to be taken into consideration when designing townships. Upholding children’s rights is key to any sustainable communities, he said. Construction of the 0.2ha playground started in February 2020; it was completed in November the same year.

The playground features 37 integrated play structures and 12 loose item elements including swing-seats, a trampoline, climbing nets and see-saws. It also utilised 13 materials and finishes, and incorporated various natural elements to create a sensory play-filled environment.

Sime Darby Property has 25 townships and developments across Malaysia. As part of this collaboration, a Best Business Practice Circular and Guidance Toolkit was released during the launch to help other property developers and city councils to build inclusive, safe and child-friendly spaces.

UNICEF Malaysia programme specialist (gender & disability) Zoe Gan said the toolkit will inspire other property developers and city councils and it is available on UNICEF Malaysia’s website.

Get the latest news @ www.EdgeProp.my

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates 

Click here for more property stories