The KMKt Cemerlang group from Kelantan Matriculation College was crowned as the champion of the GreenCity AR iPad Challenge: Shaping Sustainable Urban Cities competition.
The five-member group emerged victorious among 46 participating groups for their ‘City Batukam’ sustainable city model design, beating 10 finalists in the process.
They were selected after a final pitching session with the five best groups held at AnCasa Hotel Kuala Lumpur, attended by a panel of judges, educators, parents, higher education students, and invited guests.
UDA Holdings Bhd (UDA), a real estate development and asset management company engaged in property investment, asset management, hospitality, and facility management, has taken proactive steps to enhance digitalisation and sustainability by organising this competition.
The competition, held from Oct 14 to Nov 5, 2023, required participants to design sustainable cities in Augmented Reality (AR) using Apple iPads.
The participants had to develop an 'AR City Model' for the innovative development on a 30.8ha of UDA's land at Lot 44617, Phase 4 of Bandar Tun Hussein Onn (BTHO) in Cheras, Hulu Langat district, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
A total of 242 students from 25 local higher education institutions participated in the competition, a collaboration between UDA, Apple Professional Learning Malaysia (APLM), and UKM Pakarunding.
“We were inspired to name this city Batukam as that particular area is sandwiched between Batu 11 and Batu 9 residential areas in Cheras. Kam in Cantonese means gold. We named it Batukam to reflect it as a Golden City,” says KMKt Cemerlang group leader James Leong Jin Hui, 19.
Regarding the three special elements for Batukam, Leong shares that it involves:
> Housing typology: To promote social inclusion and avoid discrimination based on races and different socio-economic levels.
> Water management system: To boost the rainwater recycling system.
> Batukam Plaza: To serve as a social hub for the communities.
Reflecting on their win, he shares, “I am absolutely stunned and at a loss for words. We could not imagine we could achieve this.”
Their group advisor Sariza Aini Mohamad says the dedication of the students enabled them to win the competition. She mentioned that she merely motivated them and handled procedural aspects.
The KMKt Cemerlang group received a mock cheque of RM12,000, appreciation certificates, and achievement certificates for their win.
The GreenScape City group from Ungku Omar Polytechnic with their Pioneering Sustainable Urban Living project was the second prize winner. GreenScape City - a visionary smart city project redefines modern urban living with cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices. The city priorities human-centric solutions, including efficient transportation, affordable housing, economic opportunities and environmental conservation.
“The competition has provided a good experience and insights for us,” shares GreenScape City group leader and 21-year-old architecture student Lam Xin Yi.
She explains that two students from each of the disciplines of architecture, civil engineering and accounts were teammates on the project, contributing ideas for its success.
The six-member group was mentored by their architecture lecturer Nordiana Mohd Nordin.
“Since our city is sustainable, I suggested GreenScape City as the title for our project,” says group member Muugesh Rao.
The Polycity Builders group from Ungku Omar Polytechnic, with their Labu Sayong Eco City project, secured the third position.
The second prize winner received a mock cheque of RM9,000, while the third-place winner took home a mock cheque of RM6,000, each accompanied by their respective appreciation and achievement certificates. Additionally, seven other groups received consolation prizes of RM1,800 each.
The seven others were GreenScape Crafters group from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (Azure Vista project); Bahari group from Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic and METrO Polytechnic Johor Baru (Bahari City project); Bumantara group from METrO Polytechnic and Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic (Bumantara Residences project); ShrekTech group from Universiti Teknologi Petronas (GreenHorizon Metrpolis project);The Hive Citizen group from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (The Hive project); Aircond group from Universiti Malaya and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) (Finding Dory project) and Midori Planner group from Universiti Malaya (Midorie Hill project).
In a recorded video message to the audience, UDA Holdings Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Salem Kailany said, “For over five decades, UDA has been leading and shaping the urbanisation of KL and the Klang Valley as well as other cities. The real estate and property sector are the most dynamic industries in Malaysia and the world. As the nation has developed, so too has UDA.
“As we enter the next phase of growth, UDA’s goal is to build sustainable communities and provide socially beneficial solutions while embracing sustainability practices that supports the three spheres of people, planet and prosperity. As part of UDA’s CSR, this programme is aimed at bringing out the best from students, encouraging them to think critically, creatively and innovatively.”
Among others, he adds, "The perfect sustainable city will be one that is self-sufficient in energy, has more sustainable transport, maintains green spaces, and has effective usage of natural resources. It would be a city that is built on principle of ecology, education, and equality.”
In his speech, Mohd Salem says, “UDA continues to focus on property development and national asset management while concurrently committed to its role as an agency under the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (KUSKOP).
“Furthermore, UDA strives to balance development activities with environmental sustainability and ecosystems, aligning with the government's aspirations towards national sustainability by 2050.
“This competition is one of UDA's initiatives to support the government's intentions, and it aligns with UDA's sustainability goals,” says Reza.
“This competition is one of UDA's initiatives to support the government's intentions, and it aligns with UDA's sustainability goals.”
His speech was read out by UDA Holdings Bhd group chief operating officer (corporate services) Reza Huzairi Zainudin.
Speaking to reporters later, Reza said that the competition would provide opportunities for those students to be more creative and explore augmented reality.
“The main focus of the competition is to give exposure to the students with the technology available in the market. We want to provide them with an in-depth experience and prepare them to meet the demands of the market and job opportunities.
“This will enable them to generate innovative and creative ideas.”
One of the panel members (jury), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Teaching and Curriculum Development Centre director Prof Dr Ahmad Kamal Ariffin lauded the quality of the projects designed by the participants, stating that they are related to the environment, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and community initiatives.
Another member, UDA Holdings Bhd group technical services division senior vice president Zaiwati Othman praised the students for developing the project design within a month, and their presentations were impressive. “Continue with your thought process. (Consider) how you apply technology in a built environment,” she advised the participants.
The competition also aims to realise UDA's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, namely UDA Cares Educational, which focuses on the development of talents in the younger generation. Students have the opportunity to hone their skills in sustainable urban development through city planning and management.
Under this initiative, participants were required to attend a briefing session on the development site with UDA, as well as a learning session through a webinar with instructors from APLM and UKM Pakarunding before commencing the process of creating sustainable urban design.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): M. Mageswari
Quelle/Source: The Star, 22.01.2024
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