PUBLICATIONS
Think City’s published works on urban issues and solutions produced in-house and in partnership with thought leaders from around the world.


Better Cities for Greater Growth: Rethinking Malaysian Cities for Sustainable Development
This policy paper advocates for adopting a spatial approach to Malaysia's economic growth, focusing on the role of cities in accelerating Malaysia's transition to a high-income country and in achieving inclusive and sustainable growth.
Note: This policy paper is a working discussion as part of the on-going dialogue on Malaysia’s urban futures. It will benefit from deeper analytics and further discussion towards reviewing and refining policy actions to optimise their impact for inclusive and sustainable urban growth.
Better Cities for Greater Growth: Rethinking Malaysian Cities for Sustainable Development


Summary Report: High-Level Meeting on Financing Sustainable Urban Development
The World Cities Day High-Level Meeting Summary Report is part of a vision to increase advocacy and crowd in industry experts worldwide to discuss the current global financing landscape of sustainable urban development and provide recommendations for strategic action to enhance existing financing mechanisms to catalyse sustainable urban development.
Summary Report: High-Level Meeting on Financing Sustainable Urban Development


The Might of Nature and the Power of Technology
This report, launched on 6 December 2023 at COP28 in Dubai, encapsulates the collective perspective of SEACAR’s founding partners and a call to action for climate adaptation and resilience in Southeast Asia.
This is the first in the series of “Road to Resilience” publications by the SEACAR Alliance. As the discourse on climate adaptation and resilience in Southeast Asia continues to evolve, so will our perspectives. Future publications will reflect these ongoing refinements with spotlight on the key themes.
The Might of Nature and the Power of Technology


How Safe is Our Space? A Public Space Safety Audit of Johor Bahru
Safetipin is a social organization that uses an innovative technological platform to collect data and measure the safety and inclusivity of public spaces for more resilient,vliveable, and inclusive cities. In collaboration with Think City, an impact organisation based in Malaysia, Safetipin undertook a pilot project in Greater Johor Bahru (Greater JB).
For this project, two applications (apps), Safetipin Nite and Safetipin Site, were used to map the city’s streets and key public spaces. These apps were used to carry out safety audits, which evaluated a city’s physical infrastructure and social environment. The key parameters considered were Lighting, Walk Path, Openness, Visibility, Access to Public Transport, Security, People, and Gender Usage.
How Safe is Our Space? A Public Space Safety Audit of Johor Bahru


Urban Solutions for Malaysian Cities
Over the past decade Think City has undertaken a broad range of studies, research and interventions at various scales.
This book is cross section of its work. The knowledge and insights we gained are collated here to share with a wider audience. Some readers may want to taste the diversity of issues in urbanisation and their suggested solutions, others may pick and choose chapters that align with their interests. If the book stimulates discussion, provides suggestions and influences city-making in Malaysia and beyond, it has achieved its purpose.
There are many ways in which cities become more liveable, resilient and sustainable, the three key impact drivers of Think City. The fifteen book chapters attest to the diversity of urban issues that Think City has sought to address and that are facing cities in Malaysia and beyond. In today’s complex world, urban solutions must be grounded in local diagnostics, built with local stakeholders and on local knowledge. Research, analytics, reflection and learning adds to local and regional urban knowledge. This book is an effort to showcase how knowledge and solutions have been created in the region rather than adopted from elsewhere.
Urban Solutions for Malaysian Cities


Understanding Women’s Perception and Experience of Safety in Downtown Kuala Lumpur
In 2019, Think City conducted a qualitative study to better understand and find new insights in planning a safer Kuala Lumpur City Centre with women’s active participation and coproduction in mind. This report explores the associations linked to women’s perception of safety in the urban public spaces of Downtown KL. To fully understand both environmental and social reasons behind women’s experiences, the study includes women’s narratives and observations derived using a participatory approach, focusing on those who work, live, or study in the area.
Understanding Women’s Perception and Experience of Safety in Downtown Kuala Lumpur


George Town World Heritage Site: A City In Transition
This George Town World Heritage Site Population and Land Use Census report was prepared by Think City with assistance and advice from relevant external experts and local stakeholders. The work is a culmination of three censuses undertaken by Think City and its partners in 2009, 2013 and 2019. The comprehensive building-by-building survey, with spatial and temporal analysis provides an account of the socio-cultural and economic changes in the George Town World Heritage Site.
George Town World Heritage Site: A City In Transition
Scenario Planning: Possible Futures For Penang's Economy In 2030


George Town World Heritage Site: Population and Land Use Change (2009 - 2013)
Recognising the necessity to collect baseline data on the George Town World Heritage Site, Think City Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional) commissioned Australian based consultancy Geografia to work in partnership with George Town World Heritage Incorporated and the Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa Penang - to undertake a population and land use census in 2009, and again in 2013.
George Town World Heritage Site: Population and Land Use Change (2009 - 2013)


K2K Aktif Bersama Toolkit (EN)
This toolkit is designed to help you organise similar wellbeing initiatives within various community settings. While the activities referenced here were designed to support specific vulnerable groups, the toolkit remains relevant to any/all seeking to improve community resilience and quality of life through:
- Building health and mental well-being in communities,
- Connecting communities through joint health action and community programming, and
- Empowering the community to practice self-reliance and lead initiatives.
K2K Aktif Bersama Toolkit (EN)


K2K Aktif Bersama Toolkit (BM)
Toolkit ini direka untuk membantu anda melaksanakan inisiatif kesejahteraan dalam komuniti yang pelbagai. Walaupun kegiatan yang terkandung di dalam toolkit ini dirancang untuk mendukung kelompok rentan tertentu, ia juga berguna kepada sesiapa yang berusaha untuk meningkatkan ketahanan masyarakat dan kualiti hidup untuk:
- Membina kesihatan dan kesejahteraan mental dalam komuniti,
- Menghubungkan komuniti melalui aktiviti kesihatan bersama dan program masyarakat, dan
- Memperkasakan komuniti agar dapat berdikari dan mengambil inisiatif dalam komuniti.
K2K Aktif Bersama Toolkit (BM)


Reframing Urban Resilience: An Urban Resilience Analytics and Collective Impact Platform
Cities are complex and paradoxical – centres of prosperity and progress, whilst also places of inequality and negative externalities. However, what cannot be denied is their growing scale and importance in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In response to the limitations of traditional city making approaches, this concept note proposes a new Urban Resilience Framework that is better able to capture the complexity of urban resilience and vulnerability.
Reframing Urban Resilience: An Urban Resilience Analytics and Collective Impact Platform


Business Community Pulse Check Report 2020
This report contains the survey results for Think City’s first Business Community Pulse Check. It was conducted in August 2020 in the downtown areas of Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and George Town. The survey is intended to understand the market conditions and business sentiments in the downtown areas of Malaysian cities for Think City to make evidence-based recommendations. It aims to provide information that is accurate, current, and representative of these locations.
Business Community Pulse Check Report 2020


Malaysia – Smart City Handbook
This handbook was commissioned by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for International Trade as complementary research to the Global Future Cities Programme (GFCP) under the UK Government. GFCP aims to support partner countries in driving inclusive economic growth and the growth of business and trade relationships. The programme is guided by the UK Aid Strategy with the objective of helping promote growth and prosperity in developing middle-income countries, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementation of the New Urban Agenda
Malaysia – Smart City Handbook


COVID-19 Response Relief For Malaysia’s Vulnerable Communities
Think City’s mission is to make cities people-friendly, resilient and liveable by being a catalyst for change in the way cities are planned, curated, developed, and celebrated. The Covid-19 Response Plan 2020 would address community needs of the vulnerable B40 group in low-income housing, especially those affected by loss of employment and income.
COVID-19 Response Relief For Malaysia’s Vulnerable Communities


Turning Spaces Into People Places – LIP Outcomes Report
‘Turning Spaces into People Places’ explores the relationship between people and their physical spaces. It considers cultural and historical significances, and develops an understanding of the use of space and the interactions within these spaces. It transforms spaces into meaningful places for people.
Turning Spaces Into People Places – LIP Outcomes Report


KLCCD (Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District) Strategic Masterplan (EN)
This Strategic Master Plan (SMP) has been prepared using an evidence-based approach to identify and articulate the key issues, and to propose a set of general and specific recommendations to develop the KL Creative and Cultural District (KLCCD).
KLCCD (Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District) Strategic Masterplan (EN)


KLCCD (Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District) Strategic Masterplan (BM)
Pelan Induk Strategik (PIS) ini menggunakan pendekatan berasaskan bukti untuk mengenal pasti dan menjelaskan isu-isu utama dan mengutarakan satu set cadangan umum dan spesifik untuk membangunkan Daerah Kreatif dan Kebudayaan KL (DKKKL).
KLCCD (Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District) Strategic Masterplan (BM)


PNBCAP Exhibition
Over the past 2 years, City Council of Penang Island, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Think City and UN-Habitat have been developing a naturebased climate adaptation programme for the urban areas of Penang Island. The programme has already been recognised internationally and an application in partnership with UN-Habitat for funding from the World Bank’s Adaptation Fund is pending.
The purpose of this exhibition is to showcase the programme’s components and seek feedback. We invite the community and other stakeholders to review the material displayed, engage with the team, ask questions and seek answers.
PNBCAP Exhibition


Think City Johor Bahru Programme: Phase 1 Report (Feb 2016 – Feb 2019)
The Johor Bahru programme evolved out of the recognition of JB as a pivotal city in Malaysia’s southern region. This report reflects on the output delivered, outcomes created and learnings from our experience over the last 3 years.
Think City Johor Bahru Programme: Phase 1 Report (Feb 2016 – Feb 2019)
Think City x Citi Foundation: 1st Grant – City for Everyone (Shared Spaces)


Think City x Citi Foundation: 2nd Grant – City for Everyone (Shared Spaces Pt. 2) – Impact Report 2015
The City Foundation x Think City Partnership for Sustainable Shared Spaces in Kuala Lumpur stems from a shared purpose to drive urban transformation. This report reflects on the output delivered, outcomes created and learnings from our experience over the last 3 years.
Think City x Citi Foundation: 2nd Grant – City for Everyone (Shared Spaces Pt. 2) – Impact Report 2015

Think City x Citi Foundation: 3rd Grant – Green Transformation Programme (Outcomes Report)
The Green Transformation Programme in Kuala Lumpur makrs the fourth year in which the Citi Foundation and Think City have collaborated to contribute towards the urban transformation of Kuala Lumpur (KL), highlighting greening practices that could be undertaken by individuals and/or the private sector.
Think City x Citi Foundation: 3rd Grant – Green Transformation Programme (Outcomes Report)


The Kuala Lumpur Creative & Cultural District: Next Generation Perspectives
The City Foundation x Think City Partnership for Sustainable Shared Spaces in Kuala Lumpur stems from a shared purpose to drive urban transformation. This report reflects on the output delivered, outcomes created and learnings from our experience over the last 3 years.
The Kuala Lumpur Creative & Cultural District: Next Generation Perspectives
Launch of Creating Future-Proof Cities: How to Navigate the Climate Crisis


A Guide for Public Art Projects
With public art becoming more commonly used for the regeneration of our cities, there is the risk that cities will become saturated with poor quality art that can in fact detract from its aims. This guide is to provide city-makers with an essential tool that would help inform their decisions on and invigorate the process of commissioning public art.
A Guide for Public Art Projects


Streetwise Design by Elizabeth Vines
Successful conservation in the urban environment relies on a shared understanding of the basic processes and tools available to assist in this work. In this latest book, Streetwise Design and Australian architect and heritage practitioner Elizabeth Vines takes the reader through the key ingredients for successful local management.
Streetwise Design by Elizabeth Vines


The City at Eye Level By STIPO
Although rarely explored in academic literature, most inhabitants and visitors interact with an urban landscape on a day-to-day basis is on the street level. Storefronts, first floor apartments, and sidewalks are the most immediate and common experience of a city. These “plinths” are the ground floors that negotiate between inside and outside, the public and private spheres. The City at Eye Level qualitatively evaluates plinths by exploring specific examples from all over the world. Over twenty-five experts investigate the design, land use, and road and foot traffic in rigorously researched essays, case studies, and interviews. These pieces are supplemented by over two hundred beautiful color images and engage not only with issues in design, but also the concerns of urban communities. The editors have put together a comprehensive guide for anyone concerned with improving or building plinths, including planners, building owners, property and shop managers, designers, and architects.
The City at Eye Level By STIPO


The City at Eye Level Asia By STIPO
Because of the unprecedented growth in the recent decade in Asian cities, there is more need than ever for clever and creative planning solutions and better design principles. The City at Eye Level Asia is a response to the increasing demand from Asian urban practitioners for case studies on creating great cities at eye level, suitable to their local context.
The City at Eye Level Asia By STIPO


A Guide to Neighbourhood Placemaking in Chicago – PPS & Metropolitan Planning Council
In order to begin to transform the process of creating places and building stronger communities in Chicago, PPS has embarked on a partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) to highlight many of the important civic actions already underway in Chicago, and provide a framework for further improvements to the city’s public spaces. This guide is the first product of this partnership.
A Guide to Neighbourhood Placemaking in Chicago – PPS & Metropolitan Planning Council