Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur is set to be recognised as one of the pioneering cities in the Davos Baukultur Alliance, an international initiative aimed at promoting high-quality cultural and architectural development in urban environments.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa shared the development during her journey from Milan to Venice. She is scheduled to deliver a commitment speech at the Davos Baukultur Alliance, Biennale Architettura 2025 Public Programme. Dr Zaliha stated that Kuala Lumpur’s recognition underscores the city’s commitment to integrating cultural and architectural excellence into its urban development strategies.
Dr Zaliha added that in her upcoming address, she would highlight the CHASE City Framework currently being implemented in the Federal Territories. The framework aims to incorporate the principles of Baukultur, which emphasise the cultural significance of building and urban planning. She noted that the CHASE City Framework aligns with Baukultur principles by focusing on sustainable and culturally enriched urban development, with the goal of creating spaces that reflect heritage while meeting contemporary needs.
Launched in 2023, the Davos Baukultur Alliance brings together stakeholders from politics, the private sector, and civil society to improve city, village, and landscape planning. The alliance is based on the Davos Declaration, which emphasises that building is culture and creates space for culture. The initiative encourages countries, organisations, institutions, and companies to commit to high-quality Baukultur at political and strategic levels.
Dr Zaliha also mentioned that Kuala Lumpur’s inclusion in the alliance would make it one of the few Asian cities to adopt and implement Baukultur principles, positioning it as a leader in culturally conscious urban development in the region.
Following her participation in the Davos Baukultur Alliance programme, Dr Zaliha is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Baume-Schneider to discuss potential collaborations between Switzerland’s Federal Department of Home Affairs and Malaysia’s Federal Territories. She stated that they are exploring avenues for cooperation that will benefit both nations, particularly in areas of urban development and cultural exchange.
She concluded by saying that the engagement in the Davos Baukultur Alliance reflects Malaysia’s broader commitment to sustainable and culturally integrated urban planning, aligning with the nation’s MADANI vision for inclusive and progressive development.