The future development of Kuala Lumpur will feature the city as the centre of a knowledge-based economy, a special body to coordinate the comprehensive development of Malay reserve land, a city campus for Universiti Malaya and four new expressways.

These are some of the features City Hall envisions for the nation's capital as outlined in its 16-year Kuala Lumpur Structural Plan 2020 (KSLP2020) launched by Federal Territories Minister Mohd Isa Abdul Samad on Thursday.

The plan outlines a four-pronged strategy aimed at making the city world-class in terms of working, living and business environments with an equal emphasis on administration.

According to the KLSP2020, the Kuala Lumpur of the future will be a hotbed for industries involved in "...research and development in the fields of bio-technology, computer software and multimedia applications as well as industries that process, distribute and manage information such as educational institutions, telecommunications and Internet systems."

In this respect, the Structural Plan notes that "...being part of the MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor), Kuala Lumpur can anticipate that it will attract many multinational and local enterprises involved in information and communication technology".

City Hall also plans for a dedicated body to be set up and tasked with overseeing the overall development of Malay reserve land in the city's six zones, namely Wangsa Maju-Maluri, Sentul-Menjalara, Damansara-Penchala, Bukit Jalil-Seputeh, Bandar Tun Razak-Sungai Besi and the City Center.

Of particular focus would be the Malay reserve land at Kampung Baru, Kampung Datuk Keramat, Selayang, Gombak, Segambut and Kampung Sungai Penchala all areas where "haphazard developments have resulted in substandard living conditions", according to the KLSP2020.

The redevelopment of these areas would "incorporate design elements that are reflective of their historical and traditional characters," the KLSP2020 added.

'Educational tourism'

To promote educational tourism, the plan states that a 'city campus' for Universiti Malaya would be built at the site of the former government departments complex at Jalan Duta.

Elsewhere, 'rationalisation exercise' would see the SRJK Batu Road boys and girls schools along Jalan Raja Laut making way for 'landmark, high intensity commercial development' whereas the site of the former Bukit Bintang Girls School would be turned into a 'comprehensive shopping-cum-entertainment' centre.

On KL's traffic woes, the Structural Plan proposes that the city's traffic management move towards a 'travel demand management strategy' that aims to redirect vehicle movement patterns from private to public transport.

This would be done by integrating transport modes, extending and promoting public transport and discouraging the use of private transport.

In addition, an underground expressway is slated to be built connecting Jalan Raja Chulan to the Middle Ring Road, while an inner city by-pass will directly link Jalan Syed Putra to Jalan Dang Wangi.

Two other expressways, the Pandan Corridor and the Kuala Lumpur Transit, are also planned

Copies of the KLSP2020 can be purchased from the City Hall Headquarters at Jalan Raja Laut at RM120 for the Bahasa version and RM150 for the English version.

Alternatively, ratepayers may view the plan at City Hall's Planning Department. Call 03-2617 9000 for more details.