KOTA KINABALU – City planners are poised to turn the Sabah capital into a nature and maritime hub by 2030, despite the setback dealt to global tourism by Covid-19.
However, some are concerned about whether the city’s population can support such a comprehensive plan.
City Hall town planner Stanley Chong told The Vibes that getting the right population number will not be through birth rates and encouraging rural migration, but a re-engineering of the population.
“The plan is what the local government identifies as the ‘Greater Kota Kinabalu’ area, where adjacent districts like Penampang, Papar and Tuaran are bundled together to transform Kota Kinabalu into a modern metropolis.”
He said the expansion could see the city increasing tenfold in size from its current 351 sq km, while its population is expected to shoot up to some 1.5 million.
He said the focus will be on mixed commercial developments, where residential high-rises are combined with office spaces, malls and shopping complexes.
“Residents will no longer need to take long drives. Just take the lift down to their office, and they can also shop in the same complex.”
He said the central business district will be turned into a tourism and entertainment area.
“This is largely because many workers and offices are located outside of Kota Kinabalu. Companies will now set up their operations in the mixed-development high-rises.”
Developers of mixed high-rises will be allowed to increase units from 20 to 32 per acre, but buildings must be no more than 40 storeys high, in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia regulations.
Chong said model developments in the city at present include 1Borneo, the Jesselton Waterfront and Imago, with the Aeropod to come.
Some 60% of the 100,000 residential units to be built by 2030 will cater to two groups: people currently living in squatter areas, and those living in dilapidated homes.
“The remaining 40% will go to young families, rural migrants and city workers,” said Chong. – The Vibes pic, November 21, 2020
