Laneway
Laneways Improvement Programme Laneways, often overlooked, serve vital functions but are neglected in Malaysia. Historically absent in shophouse design, they emerged organically to address urban density challenges. Initiated in George Town, it targets underutilised laneways, aiming to enhance utility and promote informal activities like social interactions and urban greening.
1: discover
Identifying the site
Sites are identified based on findings from the Downtown KL baseline study, spatial analysis, cultural mapping, site assessments, and stakeholder engagement.
Observing and investigating the site
Each site is thoroughly observed to document current space usage, including thoroughfares, utilities, storage areas, food stalls, and activities. The condition and usage of each component are recorded.
Understanding the Site
Issues are documented through observation and informal discussions, highlighting problems such as broken amenities, poor waste management, loitering, and unsavoury behaviours. All stakeholders, including businesses above ground level, are engaged in this process.
2: Design
Analysing the Problem
Based on observed issues, we translate the data into a comprehensive project brief by synthesising and categorising the site challenges.
Adopting a Participatory Design Process
We brainstorm proposed interventions with stakeholders to ensure alignment with regulations and optimal site utilisation.
Developing the Design
Proposed improvements are developed based on stakeholder input and incorporate innovative urban regeneration strategies. These include strengthening climate resilience, promoting active mobility, celebrating local cultural heritage, and more.
3: Demonstrate
Demonstrating the intervention
Documenting success and failures
4: Document & Disseminate
Executing the intervention
Design are finalised based on learnings and feedback received from Demonstrative Projects.
Ensuring quality delivery
The improvement works are monitored by subject matter expert to ensure quality implementation on site.
Documenting learnings
Processes and lessons learned were documented in reports, photographs and videos. Key learnings were written as articles, case studies or presentations.
The Implementation
Little India Improvement District, George Town
Pioneer project to address unsanitary and anti-social behaviour in laneways. Discovered that relying on local community alone for maintenance was not sufficient —the local authority’s active involvement was critical.
Butterworth Art Walk, Butterworth
Activated a 400m-long alleyway with artworks, sculptures, public seating and greening. The artworks reflect the evolution of Butterworth in a fun and interesting way, attracting locals and visitors alike.
Lorong Bandar 13, Lorong Yap Ah Loy, Kuala Lumpur
Facing hygiene and broken amenities issues, pilot project was implemented to engage communities and test out solutions to improve the laneways as connectors, share local history and enhance wayfinding to support local businesses.
Lorong Belakang Jalan Pahang, Johor Bahru
Our laneways improvement in Johor Bahru began with a demonstration at Lorong Belakang Jalan Pahang. One of the learnings include using planter boxes to prevent illegal parking, however, it got vandalised and have to replace with bollards. These insights were incorporated into the full scale improvement design (2016-2017).
Coronation Avenue, Johor Bahru
The demonstration project at laneway is then expanded to city-wide streetscape improvement programme, Coronation Avenue that connect cultural assets, shape community behaviour through urban design and enhance walkability in the city. (2018 – 2020)
Lorong Bandar 11 & Lorong Hang Lekiu, Kuala Lumpur
The laneways improvement programme in Kuala Lumpur expanded to Lorong Bandar 11 in 2021 and is currently being implemented at Lorong Hang Lekiu (2023-present), addressing hygiene and enhancing street hawking environment and reimagining laneway for double frontage.
Muar
Ideated with Think City's learnings, the "Back to Back Lane" programme By Muar Town Council aims to revitalise old towns by transforming back alleys into safe, healthy, and walkable spaces, enhancing urban vibrancy and cleanliness. The project includes phased upgrades with murals and augmented reality storytelling, in collaboration with UTHM, across various locations in Maharani Royal Town.
George Town
Following up from the learning at Little India, MBPP expanded the laneways improvement efforts to other laneways, to bring life to the underutilised back lanes by converting it into a landscaped pedestrian walkway with lights, street furniture, and trees for shade., with plans to upgrade 9km of lanes for sustainable living, tourism, and economic development.
Butterworth
Starting with the Butterworth Art Walk, the initiative has expanded into the Levelling Up Seberang Perai Programme. Launched by Think City and the Ministry of Finance, Think City works with partners to improve quality of life, heritage, community, environment, and livelihoods, aiming to transform Seberang Perai sustainably in line with national goals.
The Laneways Improvement Programme has enhanced the safety, attractiveness, and vitality of cities and towns. The key takeaways from the programme includes:
In the long term, the Laneways Improvement Programme is a catalyst towards safer, greener, and more walkable cities—a place that welcomes people from all walks of life, generates economic value and provides good jobs. These ideals are reflected in the seven elements below, which build upon each other:
