News: architects Broadway Malyan have been chosen to masterplan a new 196-hectare residential and commercial district south of Kuala Lumpur.

Bandar Malaysia will be built on the site of a former international airport approximately five kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Broadway Malyan's masterplan, which was selected from a shortlist of six, will include a commercial district, cultural buildings and residential areas, including sustainable and affordable housing.

The firm was appointed to the project by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a development company owned by the Malaysian government.

1MDB chief executive officer Dato' Azmar Talib said the project was part of a national vision to make Kuala Lumpur one of the world's most habitable cities.

"Bandar Malaysia will be an inclusive, public transit-oriented city that is designed as a walkable community through a series of safe, secure and pleasant pedestrian and cycling networks, set against a backdrop of well-articulated open spaces and greenery," he said.

"[The] concept masterplan provides a strong foundation for the next stage, which is to further develop Bandar Malaysia to become the benchmark for sustainability and livability in the region, in line with the national vision of making Kuala Lumpur one of the world’s top 20 most livable cities by 2020."

The project will be supported by engineers from Arup and Sinclair Knight Merz and local planners Arah Rancang Malaysia.

Last summer Broadway Malyan unveiled plans to build Convida Suape, a new city for 100,000 inhabitants in the north east of Brazil. We also previously reported on the firm's renovation of Rossio railway station in Lisbon, Portugal.

Other masterplans in south east Asia we've reported on lately include an under-construction business district in Shanghai designed by MVRDV and SWA Group's pedestrian-friendly vision for an area larger than Manhattan in Shenzhen, China – see more masterplans.

Image is from Broadway Malyan.

Here's more information from Broadway Malyan:

Broadway Malyan's winning masterplan set to transform Kuala Lumpur

1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) has appointed a global team to partner with local planners to create a game-changing masterplan for Bandar Malaysia, Malaysia.

The team is led by global architecture, urbanism and design practice Broadway Malyan, supported by world-class design and engineering teams from Arup and Sinclair Knight Merz, in collaboration with local planner Arah Rancang Malaysia.

The winning team was selected from a total of six finalists based on concept proposals which perfectly captures the essence of 1MDB's vision and commitment for a mixed-use development that will help transform Kuala Lumpur into one of the world’s best global cities.

The appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive multi-stage international masterplan competition organised by the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP). The winning team was chosen by a panel of local and international experts in real estate and urban planning. The idea and design competition attracted participation from well-known local and international planning teams who competed in three rounds of eliminations.

1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Dato' Azmar Talib said: "The winning design best represents 1MDB's vision and fundamentals for the development of Bandar Malaysia. Broadway Malyan and Arah Rancang Malaysia's concept masterplan provides a strong foundation for the next stage, which is to further develop Bandar Malaysia to become the benchmark for sustainability and liveability in the region, in line with the national vision of making Kuala Lumpur the world’s top 20 most liveable cities by 2020."

MIP's past president and Bandar Malaysia International Masterplan Competition Head Khairiah Talha said: "The submissions were mostly of very high calibre, but Broadway Malyan and Arah Rancang Malaysia's entry stood out for its inclusion of an innovative approach that is the masterplan's 'software', where the communities themselves will help shape a cohesive and dynamic environment in Bandar Malaysia.

"MIP is very proud to collaborate with 1MDB on this project to fulfil a national aspiration. We are very pleased with the panel's choice and are confident that Broadway Malyan and Arah Rancang Malaysia will be able to deliver a visionary masterplan fitting a global city which Bandar Malaysia aims to be."

The 196-hectare Bandar Malaysia is envisioned to be one of the most desirable environments to live, learn, work and play in the Asian region. The strategic real estate development project aims to combine a vibrant mixed-use community with a commercial district to foster creativity and innovation. It will be an international destination for culture and the arts showcasing Malaysia’s diverse culture.

Dato' Azmar said: "Bandar Malaysia will be an inclusive, public transit-oriented city that is designed as a walkable community through a series of safe, secure and pleasant pedestrian and cycling networks, set against a backdrop of well-articulated open spaces and greenery. As part of 1MDB's commitment towards providing affordable housing, Bandar Malaysia aims to be the yardstick for sustainable and affordable urban housing within Malaysia."

Recent masterplans delivered by Broadway Malyan include visions for new cities in Abu Dhabi (a 680-hectare waterfront community of up to 55,000 inhabitants on Yas Island), Brazil (Convida Suape – a new city involving the transformation of a 470-hectare area for 100,000 inhabitants) and Iraq (the '10×10' project involving a 17 sq km extension of Sadr City, Baghdad, and the creation of New Sadr City).