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Malaysian property developer Gamuda Land shows how large corporations can put sustainability at the core of their business. With one of its latest townships, Gamuda Gardens, the company is building homes with the environment in mind
With Covid-19 vaccines rolling out worldwide and life gradually regaining stability, climate change is fast overtaking the pandemic as a priority. Globally, companies are increasingly prioritising sustainability as part of their business strategy, mapping out their climate goals for the next two decades.
In Malaysia, property developer Gamuda Land is walking the talk and investing in sustainable development. Under the Gamuda Green Plan 2025 (GGP), the company lays out specific targets for the next five years and beyond that are guided by environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. This includes focusing on sustainable planning and design, and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of its townships by 45 percent by the year 2030.
“The GGP challenges us and industry conventions to continuously develop a more sustainable approach to infrastructure and property development,” says Gamuda Land CEO Ngan Chee Meng. “One of the areas we focus on is design and planning because as a property developer, this is where we have delivered the most significant impacts since our inception.”
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The company has a biodiversity policy in place as well, to govern the kinds of flora that is planted in its parks; it favours species with ecological benefits and long-term growth potential.
At the 810-acre Gamuda Gardens, which was previously a rubber plantation, Gamuda Land has developed a township that is nestled in nature. The property's central feature, Central Park, for instance, boasts 8,000 trees and 65 different plant species—most of which are native to Malaysia. Gamuda Land has plans to rehabilitate all green areas across its communities by introducing plant species that attract birds and insects, that would in turn help encourage pollination among existing trees.
This reforestation initiative has also created clusters of mini woodland forests that serve as safe habitats for birds. It has even attracted native and rare birds like the Little Grebe and the non-native and critically endangered White-Bellied Heron to the green lungs of the township.
Modern amenities also cater to the expectations of discerning residents. At the heart of the township, there is Gardens Square, a retail and food and beverage hub featuring 133 two- and three-storey shops for groceries, retail and eating out. The area around Gardens Square is car-free and filled with pedestrian walkways and dedicated scooter and bicycle trails.
Other facilities in the township include the Waterfront Village, which is located next to Central Park and also a short stroll away from the residences. It also features a range of commercial offerings, from restaurants and retail stores to recreational and wellness activities. The Waterfront Village overlooks two waterfalls and five cascading lakes, all of which help to further immerse visitors in nature.
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