UNITED KINGDOM: Sarawak is studying urban renewal models in Manchester as part of its plan to address future public housing and transport needs.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the effort is aligned with Sarawak’s target to increase affordable housing units from 3,000 to 20,000.
“We need to plan ahead for the much-needed public housing and transportation as part of nation-building in Sarawak, as we move towards achieving the goals of Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 in economic prosperity, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.
“Such a target will require teamwork involving different government agencies, as well as partnerships between the public and private sectors,” he said in a Facebook post.
Dr Sim is leading a working visit to Manchester with representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG), Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Sarawak, State Planning Authority (SPA), Land and Survey Department Sarawak, Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) Sarawak, and Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (SHEDA).
The delegation’s programme includes visits to the New Islington Urban Regeneration project in Ancoats, a former industrial site that has been transformed into affordable council housing, green spaces, and improved public transport connections.
They also visited the Hulme Crescents redevelopment, an example of urban renewal focused on building sustainable communities.
In addition, the delegation is visiting Heaton Park, one of Europe’s largest municipal parks, spanning 600 acres.
