Self-sustaining township in the suburbs

PLANNING for the future requires incredible foresight, especially when it comes to building communities that will last for years to come.

A decade in the making, the sprawling 440.7ha township of Eco Majestic in Semenyih, Selangor, drew inspiration from other successful urban townships within the Klang Valley.

Eco World Development Group Berhad (EcoWorld) planners wanted to create a township that was people-centred – envisioning a blend of residential and commercial zones, complemented by easy access to public amenities.

To achieve this vision, the developer needed land big enough to realise it. EcoWorld then took to Semenyih back in 2014.

The original site conditions of Eco Majestic and its then existing surroundings posed challenges, even for the most experienced planners. These include limited accessibility, an oil palm estate, and the need for major infrastructure and connectivity upgrades.

Ingeniously, the master plan for Eco Majestic transformed these obstacles into opportunities, with the development revolving around a number of key concepts: architecture, community building, accessibility and circulation, environment, sustainability, security and public amenities.

Inclusivity at heart

“Sustainability for me means taking a people-centric approach,” says EcoWorld divisional general manager Evon Yap.

“This means taking into account all stakeholders, including any local government, councils or authorities.

“Whatever we build – whether commercial or residential – has to have the needs of Malaysians in mind to be sustainable in the first place. For instance, when we plan and build our townships, we ensure that all the amenities are close by so residents don’t have to travel far,” she adds.

Eco Majestic’s connectivity improvements to other major highways has also made it an attractive location for working adults and families in neighbouring states like Seremban, says EcoWorld divisional general manager Evon Yap.

Creating value and maintaining inclusivity are high on EcoWorld’s list of priorities as their township caters to different groups of people while keeping a consistent design language of the timeless Straits Era.

Since first launching their terrace homes, Eco Majestic now has a range of property types such as bungalow lots, cluster homes, semi-detached homes, apartments and shop offices to cater to diverse market demands.

This inclusivity also extends to the developer’s landscaping and greening efforts, ensuring that maintenance costs remain equitable for all Eco Majestic residents too.

“We start with the end in mind – beginning with the expected customer experience and budget, then work backwards from there,” Yap says, adding that they continuously evolve alongside their customers, citing newer projects like the duduk serviced apartments that cater to a new generation of homeowners.

Attention to detail

EcoWorld has always been known to incorporate major elements of existing greenery for their carbon absorption capabilities, especially when it comes to carbon storing characteristics of the trees and soil.

To conserve those elements, the healthiest and most suitable trees found onsite were transplanted to Swan Lake Park at the beginning of the development.

Since then, Eco Majestic has planted around 20,000 trees and almost two million shrubs across the entire township – in open spaces, parks, back lane, side lane, boulevard and street-side planting.

According to Yap, the area enjoys cooler air, up to 1°C to 2°C cooler than neighbouring areas due to its lush greenery.

“Passive design” is also key here. These elements optimise the utilisation of natural sources of heat, cooling and ventilation to better regulate the internal environment of buildings.

Inside Eco Majestic homes which are also GBI-certified, EcoWorld also took into account potential resource and material savings, designing homes such as the Stoneridge line that feature tall ceilings and windows to make use of natural light and ventilation.

“We studied old architecture that has lasted all this time – like the old British colonial buildings in Penang – and modernised it to fit our climate and weather. It’s important to keep this consistent throughout the entire township.

“If you’re happy with the way your house looks, then you will save on renovation costs too as you don’t feel like it needs any changing” explains Yap.

Placemaking for sustainable development

“Infrastructure and amenities are also a ‘must have’ for a township to be self-sustaining,” says Yap.

For organic growth to occur, EcoWorld put in upfront investment close to RM186mil towards the infrastructure of Semenyih and improve its connectivity. These included improvements to the Lekas highway interchange and upgrades to existing roads.

As the township continues to mature 10 years later, the commercial centres see a boom at Eco Majestic. A healthy sign in 2023.

EcoWorld believes in transforming everyday spaces into vibrant, communal areas that encourage social interaction, cultural expression and economic growth.

Small enterprises like Chef Kecik Kitchen have also seen a boom in their business with foodies from out of town travelling to the one-and-only Chef Kecik Cafe located at Eco Majestic.

A well-designed public place is not only functional but also aesthetically-pleasing and reflective of the community’s wants and needs. This is evident with the nearby retail malls, sporting facilities and extensive range of lifestyle amenities at Eco Majestic.

Yap also believes that collaboration is needed to make a place thrive.

EcoWorld not only expends its efforts within Eco Majestic, but the developer also works with the Kajang city council (MBKj) to reinvigorate Kajang, specifically with Jalan Besar Kajang – giving it substantial upgrades and creating vibrant murals in the street that celebrate Kajang’s rich local culture and history.

The developer has also helped MBKj in several projects that benefit surrounding communities, including designing bus stops, developing a smart motorcycle parking system as a proactive safeguard against vehicle theft, and organising flood relief and cleaning efforts in Hulu Langat to help the council during the end of 2021.

These efforts are all part of EcoWorld’s holistic ESG approach through which the group seeks to positively impact every community where its projects are located.