KUALA LUMPUR: Experts believe that the forward-thinking concept of the Kompleks Sukan Shah Alam (KSSA), coupled with its emphasis on green technology and environmental conscientiousness, can serve as a template for future developments elsewhere in Malaysia.
They also believe that the KSSA's multi-use philosophy is a step in the right direction to ensure its relevance in an ever-changing urban landscape.
Associate Prof Dr Mohd Zairul Mohd Noor, who is the Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation and Postgraduates) of Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Design and Architecture Faculty, said the project's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) reflect the KSSA's commitment to long-term green development.
He drew attention to the three SDG components in question, namely SDG 7 (access to clean and affordable energy); SDG 11 (making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable); and SDG 13 (combating climate change and its impact).
"The emphasis on these three components alone reflects the project's emphasis on sustainability, not just on its buildings but also the whole infrastructure, with its integrated plan.
"A mixed development concept such as this will ensure that the project runs in tandem with the Selangor government's zero-carbon emission target by 2050, apart from creating balance by having infrastructure such as a hotel, retail spaces and an integrated terminal," he said.
Mohd Zairul was commenting on the KSSA project, which is set to replace the old Shah Alam Stadium. The new project will offer facilities such as a state-of-the-art stadium, recreational areas as well as commercial and retail premises.
It aims to offer residents an all-in-one experience for each segment of society once fully completed in 2029.
Mohd Zairul, who is also a member of UPM's Green Sustainability Steering Committee, also lauded the move to make the stadium a multi-use venue, accompanied by other key developments.
"Sustainability appears to be at the forefront here, especially given its focus on oriented development (such as the integrated terminal), which can serve as a draw for the general public.
"The KSSA development also appears to have taken into account environmental concerns, which can only benefit the community," he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Nikmatul Adha Nordin, who is Universiti Malaya (UM) Urban and Regional Planning Department Senior Lecturer, said the KSSA's focus on flood mitigation and environmental sustainability was a step in the right direction.
She said apart from being a multi-use development, it can at the same time address the issue of climate change, particularly flooding in parts of Shah Alam.
"Any development should place importance on adaptability. The KSSA's ability to function as a temporary flood evacuation centre is a good example of this," she said.
She cited the massive floods which struck Shah Alam in 2021, during which mosques served as temporary shelters for the people.
"I myself was one of the people who had to use the mosques as a temporary shelter due to the floods. This is what I mean by adaptability, in which a development has to serve more than a single purpose," she said.
Nikmatul Adha also highlighted the KSSA's green aspects, namely its 'sponge city' concept which can absorb excess rainfall in its wetlands recreational park, as well as a 10-hectare water catchment area.
"This is an example of an environmentally harmonious development, which uses grass and the natural landscape to absorb water.
"This should serve as a template for future developments," she said.
She also touched on the development's other key infrastructure, such as retail hubs and recreational spaces which are connected to an integrated terminal to promote public transportation adoption.
"This will enable families and visitors to engage in numerous recreational and commercial activities, all with the ease of Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) connectivity and more, eliminating the use of cars.
"This can contribute towards ecological sustainability. Previous developments did not factor such aspects in. Retail spaces were limited to just that, as were recreational areas. There was no integration.
"When there is no integration, it means more trips and journeys. Reducing the need for this means that there will also be less harmful carbon monoxide emissions," she said.