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- Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif: Whether you are a developer, professional, academic or simply a resident, WCSC 2025 is a platform to exchange knowledge and best practices, and to address the challenges of managing a growing city like Kuala Lumpur.
PETALING JAYA (Sept 29): The 16th International Conference on World Class Sustainable Cities (WCSC 2025) will be held on Sept 30 at Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur.
Themed “Resilient Cities, Living Heritage”, the conference will look at three areas: culture as a catalyst in revitalising urban identity, climate adaptation and nature-based solutions, and smart technologies for inclusive urban futures.
The event is organised by the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA), and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), together with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and EdgeProp as media partner. .
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif (pictured) said Kuala Lumpur should evolve into a more inclusive, resilient and climate-ready city while retaining its cultural heritage.
“We want a Kuala Lumpur that is liveable and lovable, a resilient, climate-ready city that embraces innovation while ensuring no one is left behind,” she told EdgeProp.
She added that platforms such as WCSC 2025 are key for knowledge-sharing.
“Whether you are a developer, professional, academic or simply a resident, WCSC 2025 is a platform to exchange knowledge and best practices, and to address the challenges of managing a growing city like Kuala Lumpur,” she said.
Breaking down industry silos
PAM president Ar Adrianta Aziz said the value of WCSC lies in bringing together different players in the built environment who usually work in isolation.
“Most of the time, developers focus on financing, planners on frameworks, architects on design and regulators on compliance. Rarely do we all sit in the same room to challenge and refine each other’s ideas. WCSC provides that platform,” he said.
Besides, MIP president Datin TPr Hjh Mazrina Khalid added that giving young people a stronger voice in city planning is essential for Kuala Lumpur’s future.
“The city really belongs to the youth. Their ideas should be guided, taken seriously and considered in shaping Kuala Lumpur,” she said.
She explained that WCSC 2025 is also pushing youth participation through its programmes.
“We’ve brought in a Youth Professional Lab (YPLab) involving young planners and professionals from MIP, Rehda, PAM and the landscape association to ensure their voices are heard,” she said.
Youth voices at the forefront
WCSC 2025 Organising Committee chairperson Victoria Chua, who also heads Rehda Youth, said their initiatives include YPLab and a masterclass series to engage youth directly in city-making.
“This year, we collaborated with youth organisations to propose ideas for Kampung Pasir, focusing on revitalising its streetscapes. The winning team will present it to DBKL, and it’s up to them to take the proposal forward,” she said.
Speakers this year include:
- Hong Kong-based The Oval Partnership project directors Justin Lau and Philip Clarke
- Creative Economy Agency Thailand director Karin Kungwankitti
- Singapore National Parks Board group director for policy and planning Ang Wei Ping
- University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture (Philippines) Dr Lorelei D. De Viana
- Universiti Sains Malaysia’s River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre honorary professor Datuk Dr Nor Azizi Zakaria
- Gamuda Land executive director LAr Khariza Abd Khalid
- Veritas Design Group senior associate architect Ar Dr Miguel A. Robles-Cardona
- Think City director Dr Ceelia Leong
- Favoriot Sdn Bhd co-founder and CEO Dr Mazlan Abbas
- Joe Sidek Productions managing director Joe Sidek
The conference will be officiated by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, with Maimunah also in attendance.
WCSC has been held annually since 2009 as a platform for discussion on city planning, sustainability and liveability.
As Penang girds itself towards the last lap of its Penang2030 vision, check out how the residential segment is keeping pace in EdgeProp’s special report: PENANG Investing Towards 2030.
