Protecting and enhancing delicate natural systems
Following the success of their flagship project Desa Park City, the client approached Gehl with designing the Masterplan for their new township in the Cyberjaya district of Selangor, a mixed-use and mixed-density development.
The site boasts two long riverfronts, diverse flora and fauna and most significantly, a large and open lily pond. One of the key drivers of this project was to make the site accessible to neighbouring districts, so that its natural features could be enjoyed as a destination for all.
In Malaysia, gated communities and closed off residential areas have typically meant that public space is often centralised, large and highly maintained in recent development. Park City Botanika aims to challenge conventional ideas around public space by not only including parks and squares of varying size but also making every street typology into a place to be enjoyed, with varying degrees of privacy and programme.
Living with and managing water is another main driver of this project. The river running through the site provides Park City Botanika with the opportunity to connect to existing external water bodies, therefore stitching districts in the area together. Within the site, natural features determine the structure of the masterplan. The lily pond is at the heart of main commercial activity, with many shops and restaurants making the most of its natural beauty, and the riverfront supports a robust pedestrian network, with space for rest and activity.
