By Mak Kum Shi & Viknesh Ashley Clarence
The convergence of various connectivity infrastructure developments at I-Bhd’s i-City is set to benefit residents of this Shah Alam township.
I -CITY is set to become a leading township at Western Klang Valley, by virtue of it being a transit oriented development that is surrounded by several transportation infrastructure developments.
What sets this development above the rest in respect of connectivity is also the fact that this development has the characteristics of good connectivity in one place, with corridors of prosperity through networks of trade, transport, information and communications technology (ICT), people and technology.
To understand why this so, it is important to examine the definition of transit oriented developments and connectivity, before making comparisons on various issues that makes i-City a leading connectivity hub at Western Klang Valley.
TOD zones have development guidelines which encourage transit activity, vibrant and safe pedestrian activity, high intensity development to support transit system, and good town planning that prioritises a good and effective pedestrian system.
It is worth noting that connectivity isn't just limited to transportation infrastructure. In our 'Driving growth with connectivity' feature in this issue, connectivity is an integration of networks of trade, transport, ICT, energy, people and technology.
The lack of integration of transportation systems and telecommunication infrastructure results in deficiencies in energy use among others.
International connectivity
i-City already has excellent transportation infrastructure in its vicinity, giving residents accessibility to several parts of the Klang Valley, nationally and globally.
It has a flyover connecting the development and the Federal Highway, which is expected to ease traffic flow into the vicinity.
Ho Chin Soon Research chairman Ho Chin Soon commented that the opening of the new flyover can only mean good things for i-City.
"I am excited for the years to come, in terms of transportation infrastructure and accessibility. This highway will give people direct access into i-City," Ho shared.
The Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS), Lebuhraya Kemuning-Shah Alam (LKSA), New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), Shah Alam-Puchong Highway (HICOM), Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), the North South Expressway Central Link (ELITE) and the proposed Damansara-Shah Alam (DASH) expressways would provide excellent accessibility to the rest of the Klang Valley by highway.
Combined with the Federal Highway and the upcoming West Coast Expressway, i-City will be next to the convergence point where the trade routes between Port Klang, Malaysia's leading sea gateway, and both the Kuala Lumpur national capital and the west coast of West Malaysia meet.
"There are so many new methods of transportation. I think there will be even more choices for transportation in the future, so much that we may not even need cars anymore," he added.
Indeed, the availability of bus rapid transit (BRT) and light rail transit (LRT) lines with i-City stations in the future bodes well for residents, tourists and workers in this area.
Hartanahguru.com founder Abdul Aziz Ahmad clarified that this development holds all the qualities of a good transit oriented development (TOD) which includes connectivity to train lines.
i-City residents will get to reap the benefits of eco-friendly, car-less method of traveling, once the light rail transit line three (LRT 3) is completed.
Ho said that all it takes is just one station to service the area to connect i-City to the rest of Greater Kuala Lumpur. "That one station means that residents of i-City will have full access to other lines too and as a result, access to the rest of Kuala Lumpur and places like One Utama, Sungai Buloh, Cyberjaya, as well as the high speed rail."
Residents will also be connected to the western and southern corridors, as well as the heart of Klang Valley through the KL-Klang, Kota Damansara-Shah Alam and Shah Alam-Putra Heights Bus Rapid Transit Corridors.
Traveling overseas would also be convenient, as i-City is 30 minutes away from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, KL City Centre and Westport. It is 15 minutes away from Subang Airport.
With excellent connectivity both at home and close at hand, residents of i-City will find themselves conveniently connected both locally and globally.
Abdul Aziz explained, "Connectivity in Greater Kuala Lumpur is crucial now more than ever as the population in this region is expected to rise to 10 million as compared to 5.8 million people back in 2010."
"The future problem that will arise is due to mobility. In 2011, it was seen that 7.3 million cars were owned, which is greater car numbers as compared to the population."
"It is extremely important that future property buyers in Greater KL invest in developments that enjoy accessibility options such as train grids."
REI Group of Companies CEO Dr Daniele Gambero concluded, "Gen Y home buyers will set their sights on connectivity, safety, as well as a trendy and conducive lifestyle, which are criteria i-City fulfils on all counts."
Excellent Integration
I-Bhd appears to have taken a holistic approach by integrating the key points in connectivity within and around its i-City development in one place.
I-City's recognition as a world reference site for Cisco's Smart+Connected Community (CSCC) and a MSC Malaysia Cybercentre certified development is an indication of its readiness to become an integrated smart city of the future.
With high speed fibre optics infrastructure, corporate towers, cyber office suites and data centres, these elements could usher in economic growth in its business centres through ICT.
It is also endorsed as a tourism destination by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Furthermore, the development is set to become a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) hub for business and leisure travellers.
i-City currently sees an average of 90,000 visitors a week to its theme park attractions, but the number is targeted to swell to 36 million by 2020 with the improved connectivity and its various other ongoing initiatives.
One such effort is the RM850mil Central i-City mall with 1,000,000 sq ft of floor space, which is envisioned to fill the need for a modern lifestyle shopping centre and entertainment hub for people in the Greater KL region.
In anticipation of the higher number of visitors to the area, hotels have been or are in the process of being built.
Best Western i-City opened its doors in 2015. Early 2016 saw the groundbreaking ceremony of a second world-class hotel in i-City, the 300-room DoubleTree by Hilton, which will be open for business in 2019.
Purchasers will benefit from an integration of work, play and life in a neighbourhood that provides a 24-hour vibrant lifestyle.
For shareholders, it is a combination of potentially vast capital gains and healthy dividend flows in a timelessly dynamic investment.
When completed, the entire i-City landscape will be a fully integrated ultrapolis, comprising a shopping mall, corporate office towers, cyber office suites, residences, hotels, retail and leisure attractions, as well as a data centre and convention centre.
It will be a landmark and the ultrapolis it envisions itself to be.
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