No_4_1960 — Page 32

MALAYA'S

CAPITAL

STARTS

ON VAST

BUILDING

AND ROAD

PROJECTS

DURING the transition from co- lonial rule to independence one of the visible marks of economic growth throughout Asia and Africa has been the upsurge in building development.

This can be seen especially in Kuala Lumpur, capital of the Federa tion of Malaya.

In line with the far-sighted liberal economy of Malaya this rather pro- vincial town is undergoing a trans- formation, which will make it one of the finest modern cities in the world.

The first problem of Kuala Lumpur is the haphazard planning in its earlier years. But to offset this, the siting of Kuala Lumpur with its trees and gardens can with

Model of new Parliament House

a face lift become a reality out of the ideas of its planners, inspired by the Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman.

The changes that will come about in Kuala Lumpur within the next two or three years will place Kuala Lumpur high in the list of the world's expanding cities.

First and most important of the new building projects is the new Federal Houses of Parliament,

The Federation Government is developing a new site on a hill over-

New postal headquarters

30

looking Kuala Lumpur's Lake Gar. dens.

This calls for the enlargement of the Gardens themselves, involves the construction of a new dual carriage road from the centre of Kuala Lum- pur through the Gardens and over them by means of a viaduct across a small valley.

Completion of this dual carriage- way, mile-long, tree-lined, four-lane traffic boulevard is expected in the early part of 1961.

Much of the new boulevard will be a new park extension of the Lake Gardens and involves removal of the present road.

The whole of the construction works have been planned to enable free movement of traffic to and from Parliament without interfering with the amenities of the Gardens.

Second phase involves the con- struction of the Parliament building. To date the preliminary sketch model has been completed which reveals a design of two complemen. tary features.

The first is a horizontal feature which consists of a rectangular three-storey building, occupying an area of two and a half acres, sur- rounding an interior court in which the House of Representatives and the Senate will be situated.

The second is a vertical feature in front, connected by two cantilever bridges to the main feature; this is a fifteen storey tower.

THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER

VOLUME 15. NUMBER 4