READ FULL REFSA BRIEF HERE Description Despite the number of older highly vacant office buildings, it is highly unlikely that all or most of them would be financially or structurally fit for housing conversion. In such cases, it doesn’t mean…
Kuala Lumpur’s old city centre — stretching along the Gombak River from Jalan Sultan Ismail to Kampung Attap, and framed by Stadium Merdeka, Masjid Jamek and Medan Tuanku — is experiencing a hollowing-out effect. Over the past few decades, essential…
Media Statement by Research for Social Advancement (REFSA) on 5 September 2025 On 5 September 20265, Research for Social Advancement (REFSA) released its latest research brief titled “The case for Office to Residential conversion in Kuala Lumpur”. In conjunction with…
READ FULL REPORT HERE Kuala Lumpur potentially has a good supply of under occupied office blocks located in prime locations. It should be seen as an opportunity to solve several issues facing the city centre without needing to break the…
by Tan E Hun The year was 1985. Melbourne City Council, together with Victoria state and local stakeholders executed the Melbourne’s 1985 Strategy Plan aimed to reinvigorate and revitalise the city centre. The last two decades before that had seen…
In a closed-door roundtable held on 21st July 2022, REFSA brought together a collective of policymakers, architects, urban planners, elected representatives and finance professionals to drive the exploration of this topic further.
Our reflections on Think City's Public Housing Liveability Conference.
Urgently, government, policymakers, financial institutions, developers, and related stakeholders must have a clear and purpose-driven strategy that is focused on the outcome of ensuring secure housing for all.
COMMENTARY Economy of tomorrow Inequality affordable housing FEB 24, 2020 Thinking beyond the housing financialisation model By Liew Chin Tong At the invitation of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia president Lillian Tay and my friend and festival director Tan Loke Mun,…