09:00
Registration
opens
09:45
Opening
Performance
10:05
Welcome Remarks
Assoc. Prof.
LAr. Dr. Osman Mohd Tahir,
President
Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM)
10:15
Opening Remarks
YBhg. Tan Sri Hj. Mhd. Amin Nordin bin Abd. Aziz
Mayor of Kuala Lumpur
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur
BLOCK 1: CONNECTING OR DIVIDING?
10:25
Keynote Address
THE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE OF PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLES AND CARS
ON ROADS
H.E. Karin Mössenlechner
Ambassador
The Dutch Embassy Kuala Lumpur (The Netherlands)
​
Streets were once the hubs of all social, political and cultural activities but after the World War 2 cities became more industrialized, streets were transformed into roads to cater for the increasing popularity of cars and other modes of transportation. Many global cities today design roads with drivers in mind, instigating hazard and minimizing community and social interaction. Streets have lost its attribute as a public space for gathering and have developed into a mere passageway for accessibility and connection. Today, many cities have begun changing the landscape. The city of Amsterdam has become one of the world's most pedestrian and bicycle-friendly cities in the world. The keynote address looks at how the city reprioritized people over automobiles.
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11:00
Documentary 1:
Superblocks
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Modern cities are designed for cars but the city of Barcelona is testing out an urban design trick that can give cities back to pedestrians. This revolutionary concept will channel traffic to a number of big roads rather than secondary streets within the city thus reducing pollution and creating pedestrian-friendly passages and community spaces for recreation, leisure activities and community gathering.
11:05
PANEL SESSION 1:
ROADS:
CONNECTORS OR DIVIDERS?
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Roads are the nerves in everyday life, from facilitating transport for people and the delivery of goods to being a source that promotes social cohesion and integration by providing easy access to mobility. On the flip side, roads pose as a threat to certain members of a community (eg. children, disabled), the flora and fauna of a place; and in many cases become intrusive passages overloaded with automobiles that deter a pedestrian-oriented culture. Over the years, as a result to accommodate to the growth of automotive traffic, many roads have lost its role as public spaces that offer thriving, livable environments for people. How do town planners and urban designers create these necessary infrastructures that would serve the greater good by welcoming pedestrians, lifestyle activities and drivers alike but at the same time ensure they do not become safety hazards or geographic barricades?
Moderator
Khairiah Mohd Talha
Managing Director, KWA Planners (Malaysia)
​
How does design planning bring back the connectivity in the city, that has been divided by roads and streets? How do we connect people again? Giving people the opportunity to enjoy open spaces, exercise on smooth cycling networks and be able to walk freely through the city while being surrounded by green spaces that bring back the connectivity the city once had.
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Panelist 1
LAr. Phuan Ying Zee
Associate Director,
Design, Planning & Economic Department AECOM (Malaysia)
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The river once was the backdoor of development and a dumping ground that was disconnected from people’s daily lives. The River of Life project reconnected the city, the river and her people and contributed new innovations near Pasar Seni, conducted a new heritage trail and made a new attraction, the Blue Pond, which has changed the pedestrian network and created better connectivity between people. What is the bigger picture for AECOM's River of Life project and how will they use the river as an urban connector?
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Panelist 2
Steven Tan
Civil Engineering and Urban Transportation Department, DBKL (Malaysia)
DBKL has been connecting the city by using pedestrian pathways, cycling networks, overhead connectors and green connectors seen throughout the city, riverside and parks. What goes behind the planning of the Kuala Lumpur urban pedestrian network? What does the master plan consist of in regard to Kuala Lumpur's connectivity in the future?
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Panelist 3
James Speirs
Research Fellow
Think City (Malaysia/South Africa)
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Having lived in global cities as diverse as Cape Town, Sao Paulo and Beijing, James has acquired an interest in how developing cities are designed and what major problems are expected to complement the development. Design plays a major role in shaping our cities and societies. How will the design in pedestrian infrastructure make developing cities more organised and more liveable for its inhabitants?
12:05
Documentary 2:
Elevated Thinking:
The High Line in New York City
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The High Line in New York City opened in 2009 and has since become a popular tourist attraction receiving almost five million tourists yearly. This documentary shows the story of the development of the High Line, from an elevated railway into a widely known public park. Today, the High Line, situated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side, contributes to the greening of the city.
12:45 Lunch Break
14:00
Sharing Session 1:
Reducing Roadkill: Singapore’s
Eco-Link at BKE
Stephen Caffyn
Principal
Stephen Caffyn Landscape Design (Singapore)
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The Eco-Link at BKE in Singapore is an ecological bridge that connects the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Being the first ecological bridge built in Southeast Asia, its main purpose is to encourage animal crossing and to restore the connection between Singapore’s two nature reserves.
14:30
Activity 1:
Origami
Demonstration
Kenneth Ch'ng
Founding President
Origami Academy
(Malaysia)
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Did you know that when you practice origami, you are activating your whole brain? It has long been known that origami has many benefits like developing eye hand co-ordination, sequencing skills, attention skills, patience, temporal spatial skills, math reasoning etc.
15:35
Product Talk 1
Plants & Biochar
Dr. Francis Ng
Resident Botanical Consultant to Secret Garden,
One Utama (Malaysia)
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Biochar is found in soils around the world as a result of vegetation fires and historic soil management practices. Intensive study of biochar-rich dark earths in the Amazon (terra preta), has led to a wider appreciation of biochar’s unique properties as a soil enhancer. Biochar can be an important tool to increase food security and cropland diversity in areas with severely depleted soils, scarce organic resources, and inadequate water and chemical fertilizer supplies. Biochar also improves water quality and quantity by increasing soil retention of nutrients and agrochemicals for plant and crop utilization. More nutrients stay in the soil instead of leaching into groundwater and causing pollution.
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SPARK EXTENSION VISIT The Usage of Biochar at the SECRET GARDEN of
ONE UTAMA
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Limited to 35 Pax
Sign up during SPARK 2017
at Registration Counter
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CLICK FOR DETAILS
BLOCK 2: DESIGN AT HEART
16:05
Sharing Session 2:
The Story of Keemala: Dreaming Designs Based on Imagination
Pisit Aongskultong
Design Director
Pisud (Thailand)
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The design of the Keemala Hotel, a luxurious retreat in Phuket, Thailand, was inspired by the story of four imaginary clans that called Phuket their home. The hotel offers guests four unique design experiences via villas that represent different clans and their heritage and values.
16:35
Sharing Session 3:
Behind the Eyes of a Street Artist
Donald Abraham
Street & Visual Artist (Malaysia)
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Street art is a composition to make a public statement about society and the community. Originally a form of graffiti and vandalism, this medium of creative expression has catapulted to become works of art that convey messages of social and political issues or simply for aesthetic reasons appreciating beauty. Today, many urban spaces are providing ‘blank canvases’ for street artists however some still scout for the challenges and risks that are linked with creating artwork in public places that are off limits. How does one gather inspiration to paint? What drives the artist to paint – the story behind the creation or the risk involved in the act?
16:55
Sharing Session 4: Unrefined Design Wonders
LAr. Lee Wern Ching
Director
SD2 Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
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SD2 is rooted with the principle of respecting nature by designing ecologically sustainable architecture. The firm is a testament of synergizing with the environment through design principles that use earth-friendly methods, natural and recycled materials and solutions that are basic, raw and affordable. SD2 also promotes community sustainability by working on many local projects that allow for better appreciation of weather, culture and crafts.
17:15 Tea Break
17:25
Activity 2: Hipster/Urban Walk
Lets get out from the seminar hall and explore hipster and trendy spaces at Bangsar, made for the urbanites
(Choice of visit is based on first come first serve basis, during the registration)
Group 1
Sekeping
Tenggiri
(15 pax)
Group 2
Plant
Cartridge
(30 pax)
Group 3
APW
Bangsar
(80 pax)
Group 4
Uppercase
APW
(10 pax)
Group 5
PAM
Centre
(55 pax)