No_3_1959 — Page 46

F

These flats are an example of low cost municipal housing.

It would be unrealistic to advocate densities should not be accepted as cipal finances would justify such an wholesale demolition and redevelop- Rudduck has proposed.

expensive extension of public services ment of the older section of Kuala

Already this is happening to some to benefit the fortunate few who could Lumpur (which apart from other con- extent, because many people today afford to build palaces on the peaks. siderations is a feature worth preserv- do not wish to maintain a large and Rudduck commented that the area ing as an attraction to tourists) but expensive compound, and the habit around the Padang is perhaps too it is inevitable that some rebuilding of living in fiats is becoming accepted small in scale for a Federal centre. will take place from time to time with in Malaya.

and he suggested that new Federal the changing economic conditions and as structures become unsafe or out- The face of Kuala Lumpur will be buildings might be better sited else- moded.

vastly changed, with taller buildings where. not only in the town centre but also The Department of Town and Adequate parking space will be

in the residential suburbs. essential,

Country Planning, in association with not only with the great increase in private car ownership but

Kuala Lumpur may well become the State and Municipal authorities particularly if, as seems likely, the the first town in Malaya with a green and help of students from the Univer- present trend of "high-rise" commer- belt designed to limit urban growth, sity of Malaya, has recently completed cial building continues in the central in which only certain specified types a survey of all land and buildings

where land is comparatively of buildings such as colleges, hos covering nearly 400

square miles in pitals, and schools would be built. Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley, Worked-out mining land along the the largest survey of this kind ever foot hills in the fringe areas could be made in Malaya, suitably grassed and planted to form

area

expensive.

an

offices.

In addition to ground level parking, building owners may decide to include

When the information collected has parking in new buildings, even if they are not legally compelled to do so as parks and public playing fields, and been analysed it will be possible to attraction to potential users of thus provide land for recreation to prepare a plan for Kuala Lumpur supplement the limited places, such and the region, taking into considera- Completion of the main road from as the Lake Gardens, available today. tion the questions of location of new Petaling Jaya over the river to Lornie It has been suggested that the industry and housing in Kuala Lum Road will to some extent relieve th higher ranges of hills around Kuala pur or in new towns, problems of cen- crossing at Suleiman Bridge, and Lumpur beyond the green belt would tral area redevelopment and Federal other road improvements to be put in be ideal for building houses and hotels. Government buildings, as a blueprint hand when finances permit will help

for future development of the Capital Pleasant as this would be, giving a to improve traffic circulation generally. fairyland appearance at night with on sound and progressive lines.

Provided the amenties of existing myriads of lights, the supply of water residential parts are not prejudiced, and other utilities would be difficult there is no reason why higher housing and costly, and it is doubtful if muni-

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* Town Planning in Kuala Lumpur, by Grenfell Rudduck; Municipal Treasurer's Department, M$2.00.

THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER

VOLUME 14, NUMBER 3