Putrajaya
The seat of the Federal Government administration was shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya in 1999. The city was planned as a Garden and Intelligent city. The City master plan incorporated a network of open spaces and wide boulevards, so much so that the Federal Administrative Capital is indeed green in its physical outlook.
Background of Putrajaya
Malaysia began its search for a new Federal Government Administrative Centre in the 1980s to disperse some development away from Kuala Lumpur. A site at Prang Besar in Sepang District was chosen, in view of its strategic location between Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The New Federal Government Administrative Centre is named “Putrajaya” in honor of Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj, for his invaluable contributions to the nation.
While Kuala Lumpur will remain as the country’s capital and premier financial and commercial center, Putrajaya will be the new Federal Government Administrative Centre.
Construction of the new Putrajaya city began in August 1995. When the city is fully developed, it will have a total of 64,000 housing units which will cater to a population of around 320,000 people.
Location
Putrajaya sits on a magnificent 4,931 hectares of land strategically located within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), approximately 25km south of Kuala Lumpur and 20km north of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Putrajaya is accessible via a network of highways and the Express Rail Link (ERL Transit) from Kuala Lumpur Sentral to KLIA via Putrajaya Sentral in Precinct 7.
Perbadanan Putrajaya
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Petronas Twin Tower
City In A Garden
Putrajaya is being developed as a City in a Garden. About 38% of its area is being developed into parks, lakes, and wetlands while the rest is reserved for government offices, commercial and residential development, public utilities, and amenities. The 600 hectares of man-made Putrajaya Lake serves as a climate moderator. Currently, lake activities available are boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
Putrajaya as a Smart City
The city of Putrajaya has come a long way since its conceptualization in 1995. Putrajaya was planned as a Garden and Intelligent City and it has progressed remarkably well since its inception. The landmark buildings now stand tall in the heart of Putrajaya, portraying Malaysia as a modern and developing country. With the progression of Putrajaya becoming a Smart City, it is hopes that with the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) and other information and communication technology (ICT) innovations, Perbadanan Putrajaya can further propel the city becoming global model city. Though there is no standard definition of “smart city”, we would like to refer a smart city as a city which aims at a better quality of life and sustainability utilizing information and communication technology. As an effective measure to respond to urban challenges and climate change, smart city projects has been increasingly implemented in many countries across the world since 2010.
Today most cities primary purpose of smart cities is to deal with climate change issues in developed countries and to enhance urban competitiveness in developing countries, including China and India, whose sizable, government-led smart city projects capture the world’s attention.
It is important to note that Smart City models have different purposes and areas by region, and it is important for Putrajaya to identify its city’s goal and objectives in defining the Putrajaya Smart City.
The vision for Putrajaya is to transform itself from a Garden City into a Green City by the year 2025. In doing this, it has identified 4 Big Moves and 8 Policies in its gazette Structure plan. These 2025 long-term plans are key fundamental attributes of a smart city and hence the current planning and development of Putrajaya sets the pathway towards such transformation.