Rehda Institute to lead Malaysian delegates to UK for urban regeneration study mission

 

PETALING JAYA (March 17): The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Institute will lead a delegation of Malaysian industry leaders on a study mission to the UK from March 19 to 25. 

The delegation, comprising senior developers, urban planners, legal experts, and government representatives, will engage with the UK policymakers, academic institutions, and industry practitioners to study international approaches in sustainable urban development.

The mission comes as Malaysia advances urban regeneration frameworks, strata law reforms, and public transport-oriented planning policies designed to improve urban liveability, and address housing challenges, said Rehda Institue in a statement on Monday.

Forums across London, Bath, Cambridge

The programme will include participation in four strategic forums across the UK.

In London, delegates will meet with architects from Foster + Partners to discuss transit-oriented development (TOD), urban regeneration, and planning strategies. The delegation will also engage with London deputy mayor Tom Copley for housing and residential development.

Another forum in London, organised by law firm Trowers & Hamlins, will focus on urban regeneration laws and governance frameworks in the UK, offering comparative insights relevant to Malaysia’s ongoing planning and housing reforms.

The delegation will then travel to Bath for a Sustainability and Water Management Forum hosted by Wessex Water in collaboration with property developer YTL Developments, focusing on sustainable infrastructure and water management strategies.

The programme will conclude in Cambridge with a Housing and Urban Planning Forum co-organised with the University of Cambridge and the Anglia Ruskin University, aimed at facilitating knowledge exchange on planning innovation and sustainable housing delivery.

Rehda Institute trustee Eddy Chen said the Cambridge forum will bring Malaysian policymakers and industry leaders together with academic experts to exchange ideas on addressing long-term housing and urban development challenges.

Site visits to Malaysian-led projects in the UK

The delegation will also undertake site visits to several major Malaysian-led developments in the UK.

These include Embassy Gardens by Eco World Development Group Bhd, Royal Mint Gardens by IJM Corp Bhd, Brabazon by YTL Developments, and a student accommodation project in Woolwich developed by Gamuda Land.

The visits will provide participants with insights into large-scale regeneration projects, adaptive reuse initiatives, purpose-built rental housing models, and integrated urban district planning.

Rehda president Ho Hon Sang said exposure to international development experiences allows Malaysian developers to adapt global best practices to local conditions.

Translating global insights into local solutions

Rehda Institute trustee Ng Seing Liong said the mission aims to go beyond observation by translating international lessons on urban regeneration, project financing, and sustainable development into practical outcomes for Malaysia’s property sector.

Meanwhile, Rehda Institute chief operating officer David S Chong said the programme highlights the institute’s role in facilitating collaboration between industry players, policymakers, and international knowledge partners.

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