Since the 1970s, the rapid urban expansion of Kuala Lumpur (KL) has transformed this city into a bustling metropolis. This rapid urbanisation, while creating economic opportunities, has also brought significant urban challenges, including overdevelopment and its associated social issues. Cheras, one of the largest districts in Kuala Lumpur, is home to a million residents and encompasses residential, commercial, and educational facilities. The high population density has intensified urban challenges, including traffic congestion, overdevelopment, inadequate infrastructure, and flooding issues. As the communities in Cheras were prompted to seek effective solutions, a solution project to resolve and mitigate these issues was initiated by the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia Sustainable Development Goal (APPGM-SDG). In 2022, APPGM-SDG and a Cheras-based resident association (RA) launched an intervention campaign that led to the registration of the KLRA+SD society. The initiative that began with five RAs eventually grew into sixty. The objectives of KLRA+SD were to facilitate dialogue among KL residents, members of parliament and government agencies about methods by which urban issues caused by overdevelopment and overpopulation in Kuala Lumpur can be mitigated and resolved. This paper examines how KLRA+SD highlighted urban issues caused by overdevelopment in Cheras and promoted sustainable urban development by fostering collaboration among stakeholders and engaging the public, encouraging communities to commit to continuous engagement, education, and advocacy to address urban challenges and build sustainable environments for the future.

Authors:
Maslisa Zainuddin, Sunway University, Malaysia
Yuen Beng Lee, Sunway University, Malaysia
Nurul Hidayat Ab Rahman, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Mohd Firdaus Mohd Anuar, Sunway University, Malaysia
Raan Hann Tan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

About the Presenter(s)
Ms MASLISA ZAINUDDIN is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Sunway University in Malaysia

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