Cover Hamdan Majeed, managing director, Think City (Photo: Fady Younis)
Hamdan Majeed, managing director, Think City (Photo: Fady Younis)
1 / 1
Think City’s Hamdan Majeed on how tradition and self-realisation may be the answer to shaping Malaysia’s sustainable future
The concept of sustainability has gained tremendous popularity in recent decades, evolving into a central tenet across various sectors, including environmental, economic, and social realms. As a developing nation, Malaysia is not left out of this conversation as it experiences rapid expansion while balancing economic development with sustainable growth. But what truly is sustainability? And how do we incorporate this lexicon into the development of our cities, well- being and future?
“Sustainability,” says Hamdan Abdul Majeed, managing director of Think City, a community-focused urban regeneration organisation, “is a more recent phenomenon... kindled by the realisation that our human existence seems to be at the expense of the destruction of something else.” He traces this awakening back to pivotal moments like the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and landmark publications such as The Limits to Growth by the Club of Rome. These milestones sparked a global reconsideration of the impacts of human and economic growth.
Read more: Why youths care about climate change—and how we can galvanise them into action
Above According to the United Nations, more than half of humanity now live in cities around the world (Photo: Getty Images)
According to the United Nations, more than half of humanity now live in cities around the world (Photo: Getty Images)
1 / 1
Reflecting on the Brundtland Commission’s work in the 1980s, Hamdan highlights its foundational role in shaping the modern understanding of sustainable development. “While poverty still exists, there were newer issues emerging by then. We started talking about issues like pollution, acid rain, deforestation, desertification and ozone depletion. These were all major sets of issues. Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” he quotes, emphasising the shift towards a paradigm that values harmony between humanity and nature.
With urbanisation escalating globally, Hamdan points out the critical need for cities to adopt sustainable practices. “According to the UN, half of humanity, 55 per cent, now live in cities,” he notes, underlining the significance of urban centres in the sustainability discourse. The challenge, as he sees it, is to ensure that “our growth and prosperity must be protected, but in order to protect it, we need to build resilience and make our model of development sustainable.”
Above Raban Lake, Lenggong, Perak (Photo: Annice Lynn for Think City)
Raban Lake, Lenggong, Perak (Photo: Annice Lynn for Think City)
1 / 1
Hamdan reflects on historical harmonies between humans and nature disrupted by the advent of the Industrial Revolution. “Man and nature seemed to be one, not man versus nature,” he says, calling for a rediscovery of living in balance. He critiques the current development model for leading humanity in the wrong direction, underscoring the need for a global re-evaluation of our relationship with the environment. “I think somewhere along the line, we have gone down the pathway where we have privatised profits and socialised losses,” says Hamdan.
When addressing the obstacles to sustainability, Hamdan emphasises the role of individual consciousness and societal norms. “There’s always a carrot and stick,” he states, advocating for a thoughtful approach to consumption and waste. The path to sustainability, he believes, is paved with greater awareness and responsibility at both the individual and collective levels.
Above Restored Northern Seawall (now called Penang Esplanade), George Town, Penang (Photo: Think City)
Restored Northern Seawall (now called Penang Esplanade), George Town, Penang (Photo: Think City)
1 / 1
Advocating an approach where we look back to our past, Hamdan explains that “most of the traditional human systems had tried to live in harmony—the Chinese system has got the Yin and Yang concept, in India you have the ayurvedic system, even faith groups, they all subscribe to the philosophy of just taking enough and not more than what you need and ensure you do not waste.” He emphasises the importance of revisiting these principles, asserting that the current model of development that we are all subscribed to has taken us in the wrong direction and to the extent where we are at risk of self-destruction.
Above Hamdan believes that we should look back into our past to find a solution to live in harmony with nature (Photo: Fady Younis)
Hamdan believes that we should look back into our past to find a solution to live in harmony with nature (Photo: Fady Younis)
1 / 1
“Man today is actually an unconscious being who doesn’t understand the consequences of his actions and, as a result, lives in an environment where he’s self-destructing himself, and that is happening at the level of our city and our country,” Hamdan says as he outlines the fact that there are people who are in denial about the environmental crisis being a function of the failure to understand the consequences of our rapid development and growth.
“Again, it goes back to cultural norms. Fundamentally, it is all about making sure that there is greater human consciousness of our actions and making people responsible for those actions. We can’t live life irresponsibly, and by making people fully aware and providing adequate visibility, we can achieve it,” he explains.
“In fact, this is how we see it being done today, where people are trying to use technology to map or showcase the impact of consumption and all the things we’ve done. And I hope that this will help avert and reverse the pathway that we have chosen to go,” he says.
“I think somewhere along the line, we have gone down the pathway where we have privatised profits and socialised losses”
Despite the daunting challenges, Hamdan remains hopeful. “We’re a long way from doom,” he affirms, pointing to the efforts of governments and communities around the world to address environmental issues. He stresses the importance of leadership and global citizenship in steering societies towards more sustainable practices.
“We need to have a great amount of institutional push, and we also need people to be more responsible. We need to make them more accountable. It’s not a popular choice because you start penalising people. But these are decisions that require strong leadership to take us through these difficult times and bring realisation to the society that there’s something for future generations to live on to,” he says.
Don’t miss: Environment Minister Nik Nazmi on how Malaysia is charting a sustainable course
Above Despite the challenges, Hamdan believes that we can achieve our sustainability goals (Photo: Fady Younis)
Despite the challenges, Hamdan believes that we can achieve our sustainability goals (Photo: Fady Younis)
1 / 1
“If economic growth is coming at the expense of our externality, we’re just not pricing it in, we’re not accounting for it, and we’re not making it more visible. Now, if this means that we need to grow less, then we have to do that to ensure that we are responsible for the future generation. However, growing less does not mean that we will become a poor nation. Contentment comes from learning to live and finding ways to achieve happiness and being satisfied with what we have.”
NOW READ
Cover story: Serina Hijjas and Hijjas Kasturi on their shared passion for sustainable design
Chef Wan on keeping traditional recipes alive
A look at the growing trend of retirement villages in Malaysia
Best of Tatler Asia video highlights
Featured videos from around Tatler Asia: Get exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the interviews we do, the events we attend, the shoots we produce, and the incredibly important people who are part of our community
Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.
As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.
Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb
