Across the strait from Singapore, Iskandar Malaysia is being planned as the world’s next eco mega-city. Its architects and developers hope it will offer an alternative to Asia's polluted cities and a glimpse of the future of urban living.
The plans for Iskandar Malaysia center on environmentally friendly technologies including renewable energy sources, waste recycling, and green spaces for social integration. The Malaysian government expects the mega-city to be the start of "an end to the pollution that afflicts so many of Asia's cities" and "a showcase to be copied on a bigger scale across the region," reports Fiona Harvey.
As the number of urban dwellers in the world surpasses that of rural-dwellers, Iskandar Malaysia is designed to combat the social and environmental impacts of future population growth in southeast Asia. It is expected to house 3 million people by 2025 and could be "a model to countries needing to accommodate the social and economic needs of fast-rising populations and environmental challenges," said Ellis Rubinstein, president of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Currently, $30 billion has been promised for the building of the city, which will include a Legoland and the remote campuses of several UK universities. The track record for previously announced eco-cities has been less than perfect. Good luck Iskandar!
FULL STORY: Iskandar Malaysia - the green mega-city rising above Singapore
New Eco-City Planned in China
A new 350,000-person eco-city is being planned in China, this time with cooperation from Singapore. Planners are hopeful that it can serve as a sustainable model for development in countries with high population growth.
Singapore: A Model for Longevity and Quality of Life
Singapore's remarkable rise in life expectancy, driven by government policies on health, green spaces, and social cohesion, has earned it the distinction of being named the world's sixth “Blue Zone.”
6 International Models of Urban Revitalization
The New York Times recently published an article exploring six cities from around the world reinventing themselves for the 21st century: Paris, Sydney, Medellin, Lisbon, Singapore, and Durban.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.
New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.
Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.
Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions