Think City Johor Bahru Rejuvenation Programme - OUR WORK

OUR WORK

Johor Bahru

Rejuvenation Programme

Think City has been present in Johor Bahru (JB) since 2016. The Johor Bahru programme (JB programme) is supported by Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah), evolving out of the recognition of JB as a pivotal city in Malaysia’s southern region. JB is strategically located at the international border of Malaysia and Singapore, in close proximity to Iskandar Malaysia and within the Malacca Straits diagonal connecting Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The first phase of the JB programme covered a 3-year period from February 2016 to February 2019. The focus was on Downtown JB, recognising that regeneration needs to start in a brownfield site, where there is sufficient population density, existing cultural heritage and economic activity that drives movement of people.

The scope of work focused on four outcomes to be delivered through Think City’s interventions in JB:

Enhance the liveability of Downtown JB through regeneration of Johor Bahru City Centre (Downtown JB), together with the local authorities and other local stakeholders

Social inclusion programmes to make the city more inclusive for all levels of society

Strengthen the creative entrepreneurs’ ecosystem in JB in collaboration with the public and private sector

Stakeholder engagement and relationship-building

"It was hoped that the momentum generated from activities in Downtown JB would,
over time, spread to the greenfield developments in Medini/ Iskandar Puteri within Iskandar Malaysia, bringing energy and vibrancy to these new townships."

The JB programme has grown over the last 3 years, with 99 projects across 17 programmes, largely in partnership with the local authority, Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (MBJB). Projects were implemented across all five of Think City’s primary themes:

Public realm improvement projects

Universal access to create a more inclusive city, and conservation efforts to restore dilapidated buildings in Downtown JB

Space activation projects

bringing people back to Downtown JB through programmes that stimulate and promote the local creative economy

Culture and content curation projects

documenting and disseminating interesting knowledge about the city, its heritage and culture, and its people

Research and advocacy projects

developing a solid fact-base and community-focused analysis about how the city is evolving to truly understand its needs and opportunities

Capacity building projects

encouraging experiments to try new ways of working, exchange of knowledge and know-how, and documenting our approaches for future reference

The large number of culture and content curation (CCC) projects reflects the need to increase understanding and appreciation of JB among city-dwellers, businesses and government stakeholders alike. This is a common approach to start citymaking efforts, where community-led content development is actively supported, while developing public realm improvement projects in parallel.

Think City’s Approach

Think City’s approach towards project implementation maximised learnings from other geographies. Given the infancy of the JB programme, the highest number of projects were delivered through Management Initiatives (40 projects) to get the ball rolling. Once pilot projects were delivered, and relationships built, Partnership Initiatives (31 projects) and Grants (28 projects) could be implemented. The diversity of projects in JB is telling of the nature of the city and its inhabitants, for example:

Coronation Avenue

A streetscape improvement programme in collaboration with MBJB to improve the pedestrian experience and celebrate the cultural assets in Downtown JB. This programme encompass beyond physical improvement, but content and trail curation for enriched experience in the city.

My Johor Stories

Publication of a collection of articles about post-independence Johor by JB-based writer and blogger, Peggy Loh. The book, My Johor Stories, was very well-received, with a sequel also co-funded by Think City.

Roof Restoration at Art52

Pilot roof restoration project, where the roof of a traditional shophouse was restored to its original form with original materials (clay tiles).

Laneways Improvement Programme

In partnership with MBJB to provide clean and safe passage for pedestrians. Following this pilot, 5 more laneways will be improved in 2019.

Flat Taman Jaya regeneration

In collaboration with Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), through community engagement to understand issues faced by the residents, and work with them to reduce river pollution in the area.

Pilot façade upgrading programme

At Jalan Segget (Broadway) to showcase the benefits of conserving heritage buildings with the right techniques, with the advise of a conservator.

JB Film Grants Programme

To develop digital content about JB and build local capacity in collaboration with the creative industry in Iskandar Puteri. 10 short films were selected for production in 2017, with 10 more produced in 2019. Filmmakers are also provided with technical capacity building and mentoring.

The Outcome

As the JB programme is barely 3 years old, it is too early to claim successful achievement of outcomes. However, early indicators are positive, giving the team confidence that we are on the right track to achieve the four intended outcomes:

Enhance the liveability of Downtown JB

Parts of Downtown JB are visibly more walkable and cleaner, while culture and content curation projects have created an appreciation of JB’s intangible cultural assets and heritage. The number and diversity of people visiting Downtown JB has increased.

Social inclusion

Increased awareness among city stakeholders about the need to make the city more accessible for the differently-abled, the elderly and families with young children; better access to arts and cultural activities for local youth and school children.

Strengthen the creative entrepreneurs’ ecosystem

Downtown JB is slowly gaining a reputation as a creative hub; local creative entrepreneurs are getting opportunities to showcase their content – leading to paid work opportunities for some of them.

Stakeholder engagement and relationship-building

Think City is seen as a valued partner to MBJB and IRDA in delivering their JB Transformation Programme. Think City has also built working relationships with other city stakeholders, e.g., Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (JARO), Kwong Siew Association, and the Arulmigu Mahamariamman temple committee.

In summary, these past 3 years have provided huge learning opportunities for Think City’s Johor Bahru team in particular, and the broader organisation in general. Six major learnings are highlighted, including the value of having the right partners to support delivery, the importance of customising programmes to better serve local communities, and the benefits of building the right working team with complementary skill sets and technical expertise.

Our Vision for Downtown JB

Think City remains committed and excited to contribute towards delivering positive outcomes for Downtown JB and its communities.

We look forward to continue this collaboration with our partners in JB towards achieving our vision to make cities more people-friendly by catalysing change in the way cities are planned, developed and celebrated.

This report contains the survey results for Think City’s first Business Community Pulse Check. It was conducted in August 2020 in the downtown areas of Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and George Town.

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Our Activation Programmes

KLCCD reimagines heritage sites as vibrant spaces, igniting creativity through art, culture, and community engagement.

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Coronation Avenue

Collaboration with JARO

Jalan Segget Façade Programme

Downtown Johor Bahru Grants Programme

OTHER projects

Kuala Lumpur Creative Cultural District

Inspired by global best practices in culture-based urban regeneration, Think City partnered with key entities to develop the Kuala Lumpur Creative & Cultural District (KLCCD) Strategic Master Plan in 2019.

CBED;#ccf2e8|Environment & Social;#ccf2e8|S & A;#ccf2e8|Urban Solutions;#ccf2e8

K2K

Laneway Improvement

The Laneways Improvement Programme transforms neglected urban spaces into vibrant hubs in Downtown KL, addressing safety, hygiene, and connectivity.

Urban Solutions;#ccf2e8

K2K

Jalan Segget Façade Programme

Jalan Segget is named after the adjacent Sungai Segget. The row of shophouses along the roadside was built in 1940, according to the Building Inventory conducted by MBJB and IRDA in 2014.

Environment & Social;#ccf2e8|S & A;#ccf2e8|Urban Solutions;#ccf2e8

K2K

George Town Transformation Programme

The George Town Transformation Programme’s key objective was to create a collective vision for a sustainable and ‘liveable’ George Town within the Northern Corridor.

CBED;#ccf2e8|Urban Solutions;#ccf2e8

K2K

Creative Kuala Lumpur Grants Programme

Do you have a brilliant idea to transform Downtown Kuala Lumpur into a thriving creative hub?

Creative;#ccf2e8

K2K

Pentas Seni Merdeka

Think City in collaboration with DBKL launched Pentas Seni Merdeka as a convergence platform to advocate for equitable social spaces through arts and culture.

Creative;#ccf2e8

K2K