In big cities built for cars and transportation, pedestrians become a secondary concern, as getting from point A to point B in the quickest time takes prioritization among drivers.
According to the Ministry of Transport in Malaysia, approximately 1.35 million people die in road crashes each year, with 3,700 losing their lives every day on the roads. Speeding vehicles are the norm in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, where sidewalks were narrow and pedestrian crossings were unsafe. Pedestrians were caught in a web of disorganized traffic, making it difficult to navigate the neighborhood by foot. To combat this issue, a transformative initiative has taken root to help make the streets safer for pedestrians.
Backed by the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) aimed to improve the streets around school areas, starting with Danau Kota School, making it safer and more accessible for students and their families.
Photo from Global Designing Cities Initiative
After engaging with the local community, conducting site studies, and developing interim and long-term community driven plans, the GDCI sprang into action, mobilizing volunteers to transform the streetscape. The team prioritized accessibility for all, extending the sidewalk to accommodate more people, creating third spaces for community gatherings, and establishing green and shaded streets for comfortable walking.
The initiative also addressed the traffic situation in the area, enforcing traffic calming measures to reduce speed, redesigning crosswalks to reduce crossing distances, and installing new road signs for motorists.
Photo from Global Designing Cities Initiative
Since the project completion last 2024, pedestrian experience has remarkably improved in the area, with the average vehicle speed being reduced by 50% and pedestrian footfall increasing by 62.4%.
This pilot project served as a catalyst for broader policy discussions, contributing to the government’s decision to reduce the speed limit in school zones and shifting towards safer streets across the country. Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif has also committed to creating safer streets in four school zones within the year as one of her top priorities.
With the help of volunteers and the community, the transformation of Danau Kota School proves that interventions can create lasting change and contribute to a future built on safe and inclusive streets.
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