ABSTRACT
Based upon the public realm improvement programme in three Malaysian cities, this chapter focuses on community involvement in the design, upgrading, and activation of the Historic Urban Landscape undertaken by Think City Malaysia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional that is dedicated to community-focused urban regeneration. This work involves an innovative platform whereby local government, community stakeholders, and technical experts all work together to ensure that there is wider public-sector appreciation for the practical application of the provisions of the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) as well as greater opportunities for participation in planning, interpretation, and activation of this Recommendation. The public realm improvement projects implemented by Think City, anchored in the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), include the development of a Special Area Plan based upon the historic city’s Outstanding Universal Value. By involving communities in planning, design, and activation, the HUL approach is given concrete expression, modified to meet the needs of the Malaysian context.
