PAM WILLING TO GIVE INPUT
Architects’ institute keen to help government implement initiative
THE Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) is willing to provide input and suggestions to the government on ways to tackle affordable housing issues in the country.
The institute hopes the government could help iron out issues related to the initiative more effectively.
However, PAM president Ezumi Harzani said the government had yet to approach it for any input or ideas.
“We will be delighted to play a bigger role in this. Affordable housing is always discussed in terms of quantity and cost, but we feel that it goes beyond that. We are proposing things like integrated vertical living,” he said recently.
“We can see that this government is taking the issue of affordable housing very seriously through the launch of the National Housing Policy 2018-2025 (NHP25),” he said.
The NHP25, which was launched late last month, has outlined five focuses, 16 strategies and 57 action plans.
The five focuses include improving accessibility and affordability, quality housing for all, cohesive neighbourhood, improving coordination between housing development and transportation, and strengthening institutional capability.
“As more people are now living in apartments, it makes sense to have amenities such as schools, hospitals, grocery stores and parks in the building itself. This is not something we have seen in Malaysia and we believe Kuala Lumpur has massive potential for this,” he said.
Ezumi said integrated vertical living will revive the sense of community in the city, as well as keep cost of living low for families as all the amenities are within their reach.
PAM council member Ang Chee Cheong is also a champion of revival, especially on unused office buildings, shopping malls and other similar public areas.
“In Kuala Lumpur, we see a lot of potential in revitalising unoccupied office buildings and public transportation depots — into affordable housing for city folk,” he said.
“Unfortunately, many of these places cannot be upgraded because current policies do not allow commercial buildings to be turned into residential homes.
“It’s time for the government to look into changing that policy so that we can build more affordable and creative housing in cities across Malaysia.”
Both Ezumi and Ang agrees that another way to keep cost low and creativity high in the development of affordable housing is by practising open tenders and competition.
PAM was founded in 1920 with the objective to assist and advise governments, local authorities and other private or public bodies, while promoting and enlarging knowledge, study and practice of architecture.