EdgeProp unveils 'Blueprint for Wellness', spotlighting 16 townships defining healthy living

• Blueprint for Wellness is a special edition from EdgeProp Malaysia that highlights developments that are leading the way in health-oriented designs across the nation.

PETALING JAYA (June 5): EdgeProp Malaysia has published Blueprint for Wellness: Townships Redefining Healthy Living in 2025—a special report that showcases 16 thoughtful townships promoting healthy-living lifestyles.

The report meticulously selected these townships from 69 developments in Peninsular Malaysia, focusing on five main pillars: green spaces, amenities, sports facilities, community spaces, and wellness facilities.

Beyond the facade of the buildings, each of the townships demonstrates a thoughtful landscape design to meet residents' needs, and how the centrepiece of the masterplan encourages people towards kinaesthetic activities.

How townships are cultivating healthier living

“This is a special edition highlighting townships across Malaysia, where health-oriented design takes centrestage,” EdgeProp Malaysia managing director Alvin Ong says.

“Our team has researched and uncovered various components that align with the principles of better living—everything from walkability and community engagement to vibrant green spaces and thoughtful dining options—elements which mark the six Blue Zones in the world.

“We want to spark discussions on how each of us—buyers, builders, and policymakers—can promote environments that naturally encourage healthier habits. After all, knowing what’s out there is the first step to embracing a more holistic lifestyle, right where we are,” he stresses.

Can the right environment help Malaysia combat NCDs?

According to National Heart Institute (IJN) CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, Malaysians are significantly affected by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

Many of us might have the misconception that NCDs only occur in the elderly, but that is a belief that needs to change.

“When I first started out, NCDs were something you saw in people in their 50s and 60s. Now, I see patients in their late 20s and 30s almost every week.

It’s the lifestyle. Office jobs, long sitting hours, fast food, and stress. Living in the city isn’t easy, and all these factors contribute to NCDs like hypertension,” he says.

In the Blueprint for Wellness report, we also spoke to behavioural scientist Liyann Ooi to understand why the majority of Malaysian adults are at increasing risks of NCDs. She attributes this to easy access to unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle and tobacco use, which are often shaped by our environment.

“We make about 35,000 decisions a day, most of them unconsciously, influenced by what’s visible, accessible, convenient, or socially accepted. That’s why the physical and social environment we live in doesn’t just affect our choices, it shapes them,” she explained.

“In Malaysia, urban design often prioritises cars over people. Poorly lit, disconnected, or unsafe walkways become disincentives to walking, especially for older adults. Even if someone wants to move more, the environment makes it difficult.”

However, things could change, with a growing number of Malaysians now prioritising well-being features when purchasing a home.

"In the past, landscape design in Malaysia focused only on aesthetics. Recently, we have realised its role in promoting health and sustainability," Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) president Nor Atiah Ismail says.

She states that there are four core principles for a township that could redefine healthy living: landscape for well-being, disaster risk management, sustainability, and ecological balance.

And the pivot to connect these features? Active green spaces—not just greenery for show, but accessible parks and forests that occupy at least 30% of a township's area.

A healthy township should incorporate both 'active' and 'borrowed' elements (such as a forest) for its green spaces, she adds.

Malaysia may still be far from becoming a Blue Zone but thoughtful township design can bring us closer, one daily habit at a time. Download the report to discover the townships leading the way with walkable layouts, green parks and accessible shops and markets.

Does Malaysia have what it takes to become a Blue Zone, marked by health and longevity? Download a copy of EdgeProp’s Blueprint for Wellness to check out townships that are paving the path towards that.