Outline:
A New Era of Child-Centric Urban Development in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) Malaysia have entered into a formal partnership aimed at placing children at the heart of city planning and social protection. This collaboration is driven by two key initiatives: the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) and the Asuh KL Programme. These efforts mark a significant shift in how the city envisions its future, focusing on the needs, rights, and well-being of children.
The partnership aligns with Malaysia’s national priorities and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on reducing child poverty and creating inclusive, child-friendly cities. The memorandum of understanding was signed during the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, signaling Kuala Lumpur’s entry into the global CFCI movement and the launch of Malaysia’s first pilot social assistance initiative for young children in public housing.
This collaboration represents a bold transformation from traditional city planning, which often prioritizes infrastructure, to a more holistic approach that considers the everyday realities of children. Robert Gass, Unicef representative to Malaysia, emphasized the importance of this shift, stating:
“As we formalise this partnership, we are laying the foundation for a future where children are at the heart of urban development and cities are shaped to be responsive to their rights, voices and dreams.”
Understanding the Realities of All Children
As part of the CFCI cycle, a city-wide analysis will be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of all children, including those with disabilities, those living in public housing, or other vulnerable environments. This data will inform a three-year CFCI Action Plan, developed in collaboration with children to ensure meaningful youth participation in municipal decision-making.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif reaffirmed the city’s commitment to child participation. She highlighted the upcoming establishment of the city’s first Child Council, which recognizes children as essential members of the “people” pillar in the city’s 4P (public, private, people, partnership) approach.
“They must be given the space and trust to be active contributors to their city’s future.”
Existing Child-Friendly Initiatives
The partnership builds on DBKL’s existing child-friendly initiatives, such as the free GoKL bus service for children under 12, safer school zones created in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) and the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), and the provision of toy libraries and play spaces in community hubs like the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) Sentul.
Complementing these efforts is the Asuh KL Programme, which combines monthly financial support with community-based activities focused on nutrition for pregnant mothers and children under five living in public housing.
Addressing Food Insecurity
Launched under Budget 2025 and supported by the Finance Ministry, the pilot project provides RM150 per month to every child under five from August to December, with the possibility of extension. Robert Gass pointed out that food insecurity remains a hidden challenge for many households in Kuala Lumpur, with one in two households in low-cost housing cutting back on food, and some children skipping meals due to financial hardship.
“Ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals must be a shared priority,” he said.
The Asuh KL Programme will be closely monitored and evaluated to understand how integrated social protection helps children thrive. This evidence could potentially lead to the expansion of the initiative in the future.
Building a Better Future for Children
Through these initiatives, Kuala Lumpur is taking a proactive approach to ensure that children are not just considered in city planning but are central to it. By integrating child-friendly policies and social protection mechanisms, the city aims to create an environment where every child can grow, learn, and contribute to the future of their community. This partnership between DBKL and Unicef Malaysia sets a strong precedent for other cities looking to adopt similar approaches.