Green ‘skyscrapers’

IMAGINE a city with skyscrapers, condominiums and malls all linked via pedestrian walkways to a pocket of parks with trees and pergolas in Kuala Lumpur

It could be a place where you can sit by and enjoy lunch or read a book under a canopy of trees similar to New York’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park.

Work in progress: Contractors working round the clock to complete KL’s latest park for the launch by Nong Chik today.

Under the government’s Greener KL programme which falls under the Greater KL/Klang Valley initiative, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) plans to create green spaces and plant more trees for city denizens to enjoy.

The first fruit of this green vision will be unveiled today when Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd launches a 3,716 sq m (40,000 sq ft) refurbished public park which the company had adopted and will be managing and maintaining for the next seven years.

Work in progress: Contractors working round the clock to complete KL’s latest park for the launch by Nong Chik today.

The tie-up with Standard Chartered is the first for DBKL, and according to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib, the local authority will be working with other private companies and NGO’s to get them to adopt and manage pockets of parks within the city and its outskirts.

“Everyone is looking at prime spots such as KLCC and but we have other vacant spots which are suitable to be converted into small parks and green areas.

The city and its residents can benefit with having more parks and green areas to reduce stress and create a healthy environment, not to mention an increase in property value,’’ he said.

Ahmad Phesal said under the Greener KL programme, City Hall is also working on linking these parks with other green belts such as playgrounds, ponds, rivers and lakes.

This includes planting trees all over the city and even towards the outskirts of town.

 Plenty to do: Workers have their hands full putting the park together.

Relaxing environment: An artist impression of the upper deck which can double up as a venue for stage performances.

“Last year, a total of RM14mil was allocated by the Federal Government to plant trees everywhere, and I am happy to say that we have planted over 34,000 trees all over the city and its outskirts,” said Ahmad Phesal.

Up until August, 23,000 trees were planted and City Hall is hoping to reach the target of 30,000 or more by year-end.

“The response to our tree-planting programme is wonderful. There are many organisations and private companies who are willing to work with us but planting trees alone is not enough.

“We must also ensure that the trees we plant are cared for and maintained and nurtured.

“We must instil a maintenance culture amongst city folks to care for the trees they plant

“Apart from giving shade, trees cuts down heat, gives oxygen and add quality to our lives, and that is worth all the effort,’’ said Ahmad Phesal.

source:
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/9/25/central/12073298&sec=central