Igniting PJ’s Creative Future

The Development Planning Department of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) organised the session ‘Executive Talk: Igniting Petaling Jaya’s Journey Towards A Creative City’, held today at The Spine, Petaling Jaya.

This high-impact programme brought together 50 participants, including department heads, industry professionals, and representatives from relevant agencies.

The initiative aims to expose and strengthen the understanding of MBPJ’s top management regarding the concept of a Creative City and its role in empowering urban development in terms of economic, social, cultural, and environmental sustainability.

The session also highlighted the direction, implementation timeline, strategies, and integrated actions necessary to form a strong commitment to the Petaling Jaya Creative City Initiative, paving the way for the city’s entry into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Participants had the opportunity to hear presentations from three distinguished speakers with extensive experience in the field of creative cities:

1. Ms. Anna Karina Jardin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Artdialogo Asia.
   Topic: Sustaining Synergies through Collaboration: A Cross-Cultural Perspective on The Role of Arts in Developing Sustainable Urban Cities

2. Madam TPr. Hjh. Mazrina binti Dato’ Abdul Khalid, President of the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) and Principal Secretary of the EAROPH International Secretariat.
   Topic: Insights from the ‘Creative Cities’ 2023 Seminar and Workshop

3. Ms. Karen Shepherd, Strategic Director and UNESCO Focal Representative for Kuching’s designation as a Creative City of Gastronomy under UCCN.
   Topic: Designing the Petaling Jaya Creative City Roadmap: Framework, Actions, and Pathway to UCCN Recognition

YBrs. Tuan Haji Mohamad Zahri bin Haji Samingon, Mayor of Petaling Jaya, also attended the session. Among those present were Tuan Mohd Fauzi bin Maarof, Deputy Secretary of Management at MBPJ, and Tuan TPr. Lee Lih Shyan, Director of the Development Planning Department.

It is hoped that this session will serve as a strategic guide in formulating a holistic action plan, further empowering MBPJ’s efforts to transform Petaling Jaya into a progressive, competitive, and internationally recognized Creative City.

Congratulations to all involved in making this programme a success!