Iskandar Malaysia, 4 November 2020 – The Sg Segget Landscaping and Upgrading of Jalan Wong Ah Fook Project is currently at 23% completion, with the aim of beautifying and landscaping Sungai Segget and Jalan Wong Ah Fook into becoming a new commercial, cultural and recreational area in the city centre. The project is expected to be completed in Q3 2021.
“Once completed, the project will improve opportunities for neighbouring businesses where the attractive and cleaner environment will increase the number of visitors into the area and consequently boost tourism. The upgraded area offers the community a healthier and enjoyable recreational platform to organise or enjoy arts, cultural and recreational activities. This stretch of the Segget will become a focus of activities for visitors, business owners and the Rakyat,” said YBhg Datuk Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).
Aligning to the local social and environmental agenda, the project involves hardscapes and softscapes, for example, swale, interactive lighting, kids playground, improvement of the river wall, reflection pool and local sculptures that will be designed by Local Artists (Community-Based Public Art Project). Representatives from different sectors and segments of the community, like a group of school children recently, were asked to come up with ideas on how to make Sg Segget more children-friendly through design elements that include safety and security considerations. They also made suggestions on street furniture and wheelchair-friendly pavements.
The project will also include the enhancement of the building façades with painting work and the upgrading of Jalan Wong Ah Fook; and recreational pathway which can be used for trishaw, bicycle and scooter activities.
Thematically, Sg Segget landscape will be divided into three sections which are the historical and heritage zone, culture and arts zone, and fun and leisure zone.
The concept design for the Historical and Heritage Zone promotes and introduces the history and heritage of Sungai Segget and Johor combined with fun family components such as the Seaview Plaza, Kapal Bugis ‘Prahu Panisi sculpture, Iconic Statement Segget sculpture and as such.
Meanwhile, the Culture & Art Zone promotes and enhances the local identity and character as well as encompasses the creative expression of visual and performing arts. A lot of cultural elements and sculptures will be placed in this area such as the ‘JIM’ sculpture which is made from cotton steel symbolising JOHOR in Jawi. However, the main highlight and focus will be the much anticipated Interactive Parametrical where visitors can engage with the light show.
The project construction abides by the standard operating procedures (SOP) that has been provided by the Government during this Covid-19 pandemic.
“This project is part of the Sg Segget Rejuvenation Project where the overall objectives are to improve the water quality of Sungai Segget to two (2) classes higher thus reducing the pollution to the Tebrau Straits, to overcome flooding issues in Johor Bahru city centre and of course, to beautify and landscape Sungai Segget and Jalan Wong Ah Fook to be a new commercial, cultural and recreational area in the city centre,” said Datuk Ismail.
Under the Sg Segget Rejuvenation Project, there are three phases and this landscape project is under Phase 3, the final phase of the project. Phase 1 was the “Construction of Sg Segget Integrated Water Treatment Plant (IWTP)” which was completed in April 2017, Phase 2 was the “Construction of Flood Mitigation System and Sewerage System” which was completed in April 2017 and Phase 3 is the on-going “Sg Segget Landscaping and Upgrading of Jalan Wong Ah Fook Project”.
This project is also aligned and contributes to the larger JB City Transformation Plan to rejuvenate the city central business district (CBD) and turn it into a hub for commercial, community, and cultural activities to thrive. Enhancing the landscape of this city centre river will fittingly complement several other catalytic projects being undertaken within the CBD namely the MBJB landscape and beautification initiatives, the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), and the RTS.
Datuk Ismail added that the completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Sg Segget Rejuvenation Project have improved the water and odour level of the river that even fishes have been found swimming in the river. This Phase 3 landscaping project will further add value to the state of the river and the surrounding environment and community.
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