Urban Development Must Be Balanced, Sustainable And Inclusive – Aiman Athirah

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Urban development in Malaysia must be inclusive and involve all stakeholders to ensure sustainability and community well-being, said Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu.

She said this approach is crucial to achieving balanced urbanisation, taking into account environmental preservation, climate change challenges and the needs of vulnerable groups, including women and youth. 

“We want urbanisation to progress in a balanced manner that safeguards environmental sustainability, even in the face of climate change.

“At the same time, the needs of every individual in the city must be addressed. Not solely based on top-down visions, but on what is genuinely required by all segments of society,” she told reporters after the Joint Stakeholders Assembly held in conjunction with the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF) 2025 today.

In her speech earlier, Aiman Athirah highlighted the critical role of women, particularly at the grassroots level, as agents of resilience and innovation in tackling climate change challenges.

She added that youth play a pioneering role in driving digital transformation, while the business community acts as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth through investment and sustainable city innovations.

Aiman Athirah also described programmes such as the ASUF 2025 as avenues for stakeholders to exchange ideas, build partnerships and support the implementation of the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals at the local level.

She said that as ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will continue to prioritise a people-centred urban agenda, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which positions cities as main arenas for achieving the vision.

-- BERNAMA