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- The YPLab 2025 winning group’s representative, Najat Amer Nordin, 36, stated their core idea was to activate the Kampung Pasir Baru bund from a dead space into a living infrastructure.
PETALING JAYA (Sept 14): The Young Professionals Lab (YPLab) 2025 ended with one group selected for its Kampung Pasir Baru challenge, after four finalists pitched ideas on placemaking, public spaces and programmes to strengthen the community.
The YPLab 2025 winning group’s representative, Najat Amer Nordin, 36, stated their core idea was to activate the Kampung Pasir Baru bund from a dead space into a living infrastructure.
“We wanted to enliven it for the community, ecology and the surrounding area.
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“I think we stood out because our approach was very intimate. We focused on the community first, then expanded to the public. Other groups had strong ideas too, but theirs were more public-first, community-second,” she told EdgeProp at the YPLab 2025 closing ceremony held at the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) Training Centre today.
She stated their main focus wasn’t just the Kampung Pasir Baru bund, but also nature-based solutions around it.
“That meant not only proposing activities and programming, but also finding ways to restore the environment.”
Najat added that the idea would take a lot of work, as the community would need funding, support from the authorities and proper education.
“It’s not as simple as putting it on paper; they’d need training and guidance. It’s ideal, but definitely a challenge,” she said
The YPLab 2025 judges were Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) deputy director architect Ar Noor Fazlina Rosly, Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) advisory council TPr Ishak Ariffin, Malaysian Institute of Landscape Architects (ILAM) honorary council member and Sime Darby Property Business Unit 2 (Bandar Bukit Raja) manager LAr Anith Ahmad Rosli and Think City Sdn Bhd urban planner and senior associate (urban solutions) Elisa Hanim Jamal Omar.
DBKL praises project for blending community with sustainability
Meanwhile, DBKL Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif said in her speech that DBKL welcomed proposals that align with its flagship priorities: planned development, social inclusion, a green and sustainable city and effective communication with good governance.
Her address was read by DBKL executive director (planning) TPr Md Nazri Abdullah.
“This approach shows that the aspirations of the younger generation are in line with DBKL’s direction to build Kuala Lumpur as a progressive city, while maintaining community values, sustainability and quality of life,” she said.
She added that the ideas generated from the programme would not only inspire Kuala Lumpur but also serve as a reference for other cities in Malaysia, as well as regionally and globally.
“The YPLab is a model for ASEAN nations. Through this, we want to elevate the younger generation not only as the country’s successors, but also as thinkers and innovators who are bold enough to create new solutions for the future of cities,” she stated.
YPLab 2025 was launched on Aug 18 with 30 participants, with the theme “Roots of Resilience” to preserve heritage while strengthening urban climate resilience.
It was organised by the MIP Youth Wing in collaboration with Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), and the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM), and supported by DBKL and the World Class Sustainable Cities (WCSC) initiative. The month-long programme was held in Kampung Pasir Baru.
As Penang girds itself towards the last lap of its Penang2030 vision, check out how the residential segment is keeping pace in EdgeProp’s special report: PENANG Investing Towards 2030.
