Urbanist, Jane Jacobs once said, "Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody."
This philosophy is at the heart of Jane's Walk, a global event held every May to celebrate Jane's legacy through community-led walking tours. These walks aim to explore the unique aspects of neighbourhoods, fostering community connections and encouraging discussions about urban living. 🌐
Since 2019, Kerja Jalan has been organising Jane’s Walk in various themes, discovering new perspectives on urban environments. This year, we had the opportunity to co-organise a walk with Women Of Will Malaysia, an NGO dedicated to empowering women through community initiatives. Together, we explored a Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) in Kg. Batu Muda, Sentul, with insights from the community group Sentul Then and Now.
📍 Interestingly, the first Jane’s Walk KL was in central Sentul and five years later, we were back at another part of Sentul!
Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR), or People Housing Project, is a government resettlement program aimed at meeting the housing needs of low-income groups. It is similar to HDB flats in Singapore and council flats in the UK. PPRs are designed to provide affordable housing and essential amenities to create a sustainable living environment. 🏘
Women Of Will Malaysia, along with PPR community leaders and other urban groups, have done remarkable work in fostering a healthy environment with quality facilities for the 10,000 residents. We observed two community gardens run by women in the PPR, a community kitchen for alternative income and upskilling, a community hub, and other well-maintained facilities. Managing such a dense neighbourhood is challenging, but this PPR stands out as one of the highest quality in Malaysia.
Kg. Batu and the Sentul area have a rich history, serving as crucial transportation hubs during the colonial era. Despite modern developments and multiple highways, their role in land transportation remains significant. The area is well-connected, with facilities such as KTM and MRT stations (Kg Batu), ensuring good accessibility.
One of the highlights of our walk was the impressive facilities available for road users and residents, although we noted that some areas of improvement are necessary. The pedestrian and bike lanes from the stations to Batu Metropolitan Park are well-designed, passing through the PPR and providing a safe, shaded environment adjacent to Batu River.
For more insights and updates on our walks, connect with us on Instagram: @kerjajalan. We look forward to sharing more stories and exploring urban environments together! 🚶♀️ 🚶♂️ 🚶♀️ 🚶♂️
