A new centre of power to rival the world’s best
Malaysia’s new administrative capital is a model of modern city planning, an intelligent garden city designed for government, business and living

A little to the south of congested Kuala Lumpur is a garden city whose calm elegance creates an impression of both beauty and power. This is Putrajaya, Malaysia’s new federal administrative capital and the largest urban development project in the country.

Drawing inspiration from world-class government centres in the US and Australia, Putrajaya’s architects and planners have designed the city to be Malaysia’s Washington, D.C. Impressive modern buildings are set amidst lush greenery, with botanical gardens, lakes, waterways and wetlands enhancing the built environment. Notable landmarks include Putra Bridge, inspired by the design of the famous Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran.

The most important government departments have already moved there, including the Prime Minister’s Office and official residence, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Situated within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), Putrajaya has been conceived as an “intelligent city.” Behind the elegant façades a sophisticated information network based on multimedia technologies has been installed to facilitate the motion of the wheels of government and commerce.

Azlan Abdul Karim Chief Executive Officer of Putrajaya Holdings

“We have implemented a master plan that envisages Putrajaya as an intelligent garden city. That is the main focus,” says Azlan Abdul Karim, CEO of Putrajaya Holdings, a member company of Petronas group – a Fortune 500 global company – and master developer behind this massive project.

Operating as a private company, Putrajaya Holdings has gone to the banks to source the bulk of the considerable financing required. Although still in its formative years, the city is already starting to attract people and businesses alike.

For in addition to its role as Malaysia’s new centre of power, Putrajaya is also intended to be a city for people to live and work in, capable of thriving on its own terms. “It has to be sustainable. It cannot just be for government, it also has to have a commercial aspect,” says Mr Azlan.

Putrajaya is divided into two major parts. The periphery area will comprise 14 residential neighbourhoods with a total of 67,000 housing units. The core area is the location of the government buildings and commercial centres, including hotels, shopping centres, offices, exhibition and convention centres, private colleges, condominiums, a water theme park and private medical centre.
One of the flagship commercial developments, the Alamanda shopping centre, has been open for around three years and now boasts more than 150 shops.

There are plans to open a British-style international school and with more government departments still to relocate there, the city has a long way to go. The initial phase of development is expected to be completed by 2010, by which time Putrajaya is expected to have a population of 335,000 and a workforce of 201,000.