Developers are competing to provide the best self-sustaining townships with attractive concepts.
BY NURUL ASMUI MD AZMI
asmui@ocision.com
Township-living is fast catching up nowadays as properties within major urban centres are becoming expensive, and opting for cheaper houses from outside big cities could mean lack of quality infrastructures.
Since township is designed as an integrated development, it provides a holistic living environment, whereby facilities and amenities are attainable without having to leave the township. Everything will just be within a short drive, or even only within walking distance.
Living in a township is like living in a small compact city where the demand for residential, commercial and retail elements feed each other. Some of the main reasons to settle for a township are because most properties are sold at affordable prices, the availability of lifestyle amenities, the implementation of fundamental infrastructures and also better opportunity in capital appreciation compared to stand-alone properties.
Although the number of township developments is escalating, some prominent townships can be characterised under specific themes based on their distinctive features. Some townships attract potential buyers with enticing concepts such as eco-friendly atmosphere, great family facilities, and walk to shop.
Different Township Themes
Let's see which township fits under the following themes:
The water theme park in Sunway Lagoon.
1 Entertainment-cum-resort township
Sunway Resort City (popularly known as Bandar Sunway) is no stranger to the world of entertainment and resort amenities as it showcases the well-known Sunway Pyramid and the Sunway Lagoon amusement park amidst a myriad of resort-like accommodations.
The Sunway Pyramid is the first themed shopping and entertainment mall in Malaysia, where one can relish in Egyptian-inspired compositions and architectures. The grand entrance unveils fascinating sculptures of a pyramid and a lion, and the other parts of the mall are embellished with numerous Egyptian-themed decorations.
All sorts of entertainment can be found within the Sunway Pyramid mall such as Galactic Laser, Holiday Planet, Red Box, Stars Archery, Sunway Mega Lanes, Sunway Pyramid Ice, TGV Cinemas and several clubs. Besides these, one can also soak in some fun times at the Sunway Lagoon.
Featuring different themed parks and a large water theme park with over 80 fun, yet thrilling attractions, the Sunway Lagoon is spread across 88 acres. Both Sunway Pyramid and Sunway Lagoon are easily accessible from the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa. Striving as one of Asia’s leading hospitality management and corporate services, the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa provides top-notch facilities like world-class convention in a 5-star hotel, travel services, aromatherapy massage, exclusive dining experience and more.
Taking all these amenities into consideration, there is no doubt why the entertainment-cum-resort theme is synonymous with Sunway Resort City.
The VVIP suite in ParkCity Medical Centre.
2 Township with a prominent medical centre
One township that stands out the most for this theme is Desa ParkCity with its ParkCity Medical Centre. This 300-bed medical centre is operated by Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care, a well-trusted healthcare brand in Malaysia, which has been delivering excellent medical care for more than 25 years.
ParkCity Medical Centre provides advanced private healthcare facility for the residents in Desa ParkCity. Some of the facilities available at ParkCity Medical Centre include special outpatient clinics with courtyard, rehabilitative centre, haemodialysis centre, catheterisation lab, delivery suites, operating theatres, VIP wards and also handicapped-friendly restrooms.
Both inpatients and outpatients at ParkCity Medical Centre can benefit from its top-notch services such as advanced diagnostics, medical surgical services and 24-hour emergency services.
The entrance to Bandar Utama town centre from the Damansara-Puchong Highway.
3 Township that boosts excellent connectivity and transport hubs
As one of the sought after integrated townships in the Klang Valley, Bandar Utama now accommodates its residents with an extensive network of major highways and expressways, which are Sprint Highway (SPRINT), Damansara Puchong Highway (LDP), Penchala Link and the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE).
Strategically situated amidst all these excellent connectivities, Bandar Utama is easily accessible to and fro many prominent areas. In addition to that, residents can also opt for shuttle bus services that connect to routes throughout the Klang Valley, and find numerous taxi terminals within Bandar Utama.
To boost the public transportation network in Bandar Utama, there will also be future LRT and MRT stations that will connect the township to Kuala Lumpur and many major areas in the Klang Valley.
With the good connectivity and transportation services, residents in Bandar Utama can conveniently travel to work as well as to other destinations.
The stunning graffiti wall in the park at Alam Impian.
4 Township with unique artistic features
Sprawled across 1,235 acres of elevated land, Alam Impian has been uniquely developed in line with the theme of Township of the Arts. Strolling around the township, one can savour the innovative art decorations exhibited on the streets as well as on the houses.
Besides the creative street furniture on the streets and decorative art pieces installed at designated areas, there are also mesmerising landscape arts, graffiti walls, linear parks and a central town park. The houses in Alam Impian offer a broad selection of designs and facades for an exclusive style of living.
If one dreams of living amongst artistic creations, then Alam Impian will be the most inviting township with arts to feast the eyes.
A view across the pond at Rimba Creek’s naturally landscaped park.
5 Eco-friendly township
Setia Eco Park definitely fits into this category with its nature development and greenery features. Living up to its name, Setia Eco Park provides a breathtaking 56-acre forest park, and a stunning 94-acre wetland consisting of creeks, lakes and waterways. The lakes are also built with islands that provide suitable nesting grounds for the birds at the park.
The tranquil surrounding of Setia Eco Park can be further enhanced with jungle trekking, eco-discovery tours and scenic views from the observation tower. There is also a tropical landscape specially created with a diversity of flora and fauna waiting to be discovered.
Just take a walk around Setia Eco Park and one will find it is the perfect home in the caress of Mother Nature.
Monash University in Bandar Sunway.
6 Townships with distinguished educational hubs
One of the best townships known to provide exceptional educational hub(s) to their residents is Bandar Sunway.
Bandar Sunway is commonly acknowledged for its higher education institutions. There is a private college, namely The One Academy, as well as two large universities – Monash University and Sunway University (formerly known as Sunway College).
The One Academy: A tertiary institution fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) with MSC-status.
Monash University: The first foreign university campus in Malaysia that is structured under transnational education.
Sunway University: Aiming to be a world- class university, this multiple award-winning institution has a strong strategic academic partnership with Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.
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