July-August , 2021 | @ green
COVER STORY
11
WHO WE ARE
City Expo Malaysia 2021
The United Nations estimates that as of 2018 , 55 per cent of the global population live in urban areas . This figure could rise to 68 per cent by 2050 . It means that the issues faced by cities will only continue to grow as the rate of urbanisation speeds up .
Malaysia , however , has a 76.61 per cent urbanisation rate . It means how we manage our resources and innovation to address future challenges will be critical .
CEM 2021 will be the leading expo where these global and national issues will be discussed , and solutions to these challenges can be put forth – a nexus of ideas to tackle these issues that our cities face .
The latest technologies and infrastructure to improve city life will also be showcased and demonstrated at CEM 2021 to present the future that awaits us .
The expo will also celebrate the progress our cities have achieved in the past 100 years .
City Expo Malaysia became this platform where we could bring together multiple stakeholders and unite them in this discussion about where our cities are going or what had happened in the past and so forth .” — Imran
“ City Expo Malaysia became this platform where we could bring together multiple stakeholders and unite them in this discussion about where our cities are going or what had happened in the past and so forth ,” said Imran .
Added Noraida : “ It is also in line with 100 years of formal town planning in Malaysia . So , we thought it would be opportune to showcase and put together everything concerning cities at one place , one platform and one venue .”
Noraida shared the expo was supposed to be held physically at first , but the organisers had agreed to move it entirely virtual due to the restrictions caused by the growing cases of Covid-19 . It was unfortunate , but Noraida said going completely virtual could give the expo more worldwide exposure .
“ We wanted it to showcase everything that is in the past , present and future of cities . We ’ re looking at all sorts of aspects to the city , whether it ’ s technology , green , heritage , culture , environment , or all kinds of things .
“ You just go there , and you get everything about the city in one place !” said Noraida .
CEM 2021 brings stakeholders together
Imran believed CEM 2021 would be a platform that unites stakeholders involved in city design and city management . These stakeholders could come together and discuss various issues about city planning .
“ For example , one of the most significant issues we are facing now is where our cities are going post-pandemic . Have things and people ’ s perceptions or relationships with space changed or not ? Are our policies able to adapt quickly to adjust to the new norms ?
Malaysian Institute of Planners ( MIP )
Malaysian Institute of Planners is a professional institute . Most of its members are fully qualified professional town planners , working as planning officers with various federal , state and local authorities , town planning consultants , lecturers in universities , or planners for developers and different organisations with significant land banks .
MIP was established in 1972 . Its objectives include promoting the science and art of town planning to the public and assisting and advising government , local authorities , public and private bodies in the science of town and country planning .
Nextdor Property Communications
Nextdor Property Communications was established in 2005 . Today , it is one of Malaysia ’ s foremost property centric integrated communications agencies . This boutique agency leverages public relations , design , digital marketing and events and applies them to place branding and placemaking .
As an advocate for better cities , Nextdor promotes the power of placemaking with property developers , architects , associations , and urban planners to create vibrant , inclusive and sustainable cities .