In 1992 this proposed city of 45,000 people was planned to use extensive landfill in shallow offshore waters to reclaim land for a series of islands.
The environmental issue surrounding the use of offshore dredging to form the islands was of the utmost importance. It required attention to the sensitive marine environments where dredging was to occur, to ensure the livelihood of local fishermen was maintained.
The system of islands was linked by a major road. The planning of the development sought to maximise the number of waterfront residential sites, thus increasing the return on the cost of development.
The island shapes were developed in consultation with local University hydraulic experts familiar with the offshore waters to ensure the natural ebb and flow of tidal movements was not impeded. The built form of the plan was modelled in Malaysia in 3D computer–generated graphics and was one of the first projects in this region to be so modelled.
Again, being the resident Manager in Kuala Lumpur, I was involved in this project from its award through to design evolution and in the preparation of the final report. Sadly, it never proceeded as envisaged.
