PA Hang Tuah stakeholders provide input on the social make-up of their living spaces.

KUALA LUMPUR: Think City, a leading impact organisation in urban rejuvenation, has announced the launch of Geran Komuniti Kita-untuk-Kita (K2K), a grant programme designed to empower communities living in public housing to transform their liveability and communal living spaces. This initiative is a key component in bolstering social resilience and enhancing the sustainability of cities and urban environments. 

Over the past decade, Think City has worked with communities nationwide to develop deep insights and expertise to address the steady decline in living standards within Malaysia’s public housing projects. Against this background, the K2K programme was formulated as a public investment in social development to build the capacity of communities to better address the liveability challenges in their public housing.  

Launched in April 2023 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, K2K is implemented across 10 selected public housing projects in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. At its core, K2K includes a community-driven grant initiative known as Geran Komuniti K2K. Supported by the Ministry of Finance as part of the National Budget, the grant acts as a pivotal catalyst for fostering community-driven transformation. 

Think City managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed said the importance of community empowerment in public housing, stating: “At Think City, we firmly believe that the liveability of public housing lies with the participation and contribution of its communities. Through the Geran Komuniti K2K, we champion a bottom-up approach where even the smallest of efforts can create a positive ripple effect, leading to significant transformations. We are eager to witness the innovative solutions that will spring forth from this initiative and the lasting change they will inspire.” 

The drive promotes cooperation and collaboration between residents to engage in collective action and joint activities, enhancing social cohesion and addressing communal living challenges. This initiative seeks to improve the quality of life for residents in 10 designated sites in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, namely Perumahan Awan (PA) Seri Selangor, PA Seri Sarawak, PA Hang Tuah, PPR Seri Cempaka, PA Seri Kota, Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Taman Mulia, PA Seri Sabah 3A, PPR Desa Tun Razak, PPR Kpg Baru HICOM and PPR Lembah Subang 1. The grant invites suitable intervention ideas from the public, focusing on two key themes: 

1. Community Empowerment: Empower communities to organise and foster social cohesion, and cultivate a sense of belonging and unity within the community. 

2. Community Well-being: Improve cleanliness, enhance safety, and promote healthy environments through targeted interventions. 

The grant programme is open to applications from residents of the designated 10 public housing projects, as well as non-resident individuals, groups or organisations who are passionate about making a difference. Projects can range from small-scale initiatives (a few thousand ringgit) to large-scale endeavours (more than eighty thousand ringgit). Eligible activities include capacity building, social activation, collective action, content creation, and more. Some examples may include establishing a library, conducting a nutrition literacy campaign, improving a social space, or facilitating community-led waste management efforts amongst others. 

Hamdan emphasised the importance of inclusive cities, stating “Cities must be inclusive and for all. Without inclusivity, we risk creating social divides that can lead to breakdowns in society. Accessible amenities, services and good quality living are essential for all, including public housing communities. This vision aligns with Malaysia’s MADANI economic framework, which aims to reshape the economy and ensure equitable rewards for citizens. It is also aligned to Think City’s mission to build successful and inclusive cities, ensuring that everyone, including those in public housing, has their own space.” 

Since its inception in 2009, Think City’s mission has been to make cities more liveable, environmentally sustainable, and socially resilient. The organisation has successfully managed urban rejuvenation projects in various cities across Malaysia, including George Town, Butterworth, Johor Bahru, and Kuala Lumpur.