By P PREM KUMAR / Pic By TMR

Kuala Lumpur is among cities in the Asian region currently undergoing hyper-development activities, said American multinational engineering firm AECOM.

AECOM Asia Pacific president Sean Chiao said Malaysia’s capital joins the list of other South-East Asian mega-cities — namely Jakarta and Manila — which are in middle of mega development phase.

“It is clear that Asia is at the fore-front of global urbanisation, and critically important to engage as many bright minds as possible in this transformation,” he said in a statement.

Chiao also said AECOM supports Malaysia’s development through iconic infrastructure projects like the River of Life, which has just opened its first phase development and connects Kuala Lumpur’s 21st century present with its historical origins.

The project is a demonstration of a city’s vision to transform its riverfront into an area with high economic and commercial value, he said.

The Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD), in collaboration with AECOM, is jointly hosting the “Kuala Lumpur, Designing the Public Realm” exhibition between Sept 29 and Oct 5 in Kuala Lumpur.

The effort was designed to be an idea generator, bringing next generation thinking from the Harvard GSD to the unique circumstances, environment and characteristics of iconic South-East Asian cities.

The 2017 studio in Kuala Lumpur is the fifth year in a six-year commitment by Harvard GSD and AECOM, following last year’s exhibition in Jakarta.

In 2018, the project is slated to be held in Manila. AECOM has over 800 talented and dedicated professionals working on a host of projects in Malaysia, with offices in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Penang and Kuching.