KL Local Plan 2040 To Balance Development And Heritage Preservation, Says Mayor

KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL 2040) aims to strike a balance between physical development and the preservation of the city’s cultural heritage, said Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

She said City Hall (DBKL) is working closely with the Department of National Heritage to ensure a dedicated framework is in place to safeguard heritage buildings across the capital.

“When we say the city is for everyone, that includes heritage development. We’ve included heritage trail routes in the plan, highlighting areas that have been identified as part of Kuala Lumpur’s cultural footprint.

“We are continuing efforts to identify and incorporate more of these heritage trails into the plan,” she said in Bernama Radio’s programme POV: Perspektif Bukan Persepsi, hosted by Kamal Affandi Hashim today.

Maimunah added that the plan also identifies several heritage villages that will be preserved and gazetted as protected zones, in line with efforts to retain Kuala Lumpur’s historical and cultural character.

“If a site is gazetted as heritage, it will remain so. It cannot be altered. This ensures better oversight for all developers operating in Kuala Lumpur,” she said.

She added that PTKL 2040 adopts a balanced approach to development, incorporating key elements such as economic growth, physical planning, environmental sustainability, heritage preservation, creativity, mental well-being and safety.

In a related development, Maimunah said DBKL has applied to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in March, with confirmation of receipt issued in April.

The application is currently under review by UNESCO, with a decision expected in October.

“Let’s all hope for a positive outcome for Kuala Lumpur in October,” she said.

The UCCN recognises cities that prioritise innovation, good governance and community engagement through creativity.

-- BERNAMA