Photo: Sentul Depot/Instagram
Cover Photo: Sentul Depot/Instagram

The founders of community-led walking movement Kerja Jalan reveal KL's neighbourhoods that they deem to be most accessible and walkable

From cracked pavements and inadequate ramps to disabled friendly parking spaces hogged by motorists, Kuala Lumpur’s streets have a long way to go to become more pedestrian-friendly and accessible.  

To foster greater pedestrian friendly awareness in Malaysia, Yasmin Lane, Awatif Ghapar, and Charmaine Wong started Jane’s Walk KL in May 2019. It was the local chapter of a global movement known as Jane’s Walk in honour of celebrated American urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs, author of The Life and Death of Great American Cities.

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Since rebranding to Kerja Jalan KL, the movement promotes community-led walking experiences with the aim of encouraging more people to walk and starting important discussions about the barriers to walking and accessibility in our cities.

"We walk to explore different neighbourhoods. For each walk, we examine different perspectives of local stories, including history, architecture, food, and accessibility," says Lane (pictured above), who has a Master's degree in urbanism.

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"As a society, we are so conditioned to rely on our cars. City planners thus design our cities to move cars, as opposed to moving people. Walking is the equaliser, if and when we make cities accessible to walk for everyone. It's the foundation of sustainable urban mobility and any real change we want to see in the city starts with making it equitably pedestrian-friendly."   

Read on to find out Kerja Jalan KL's recommended neighbourhoods for walkability and accessibility in Kuala Lumpur.  

Brickfields

Tatler Asia
Brickfields, also known as Little India in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Prisma by Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Above Brickfields, also known as Little India, in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Prisma by Dukas/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

"Brickfields is unique as it’s designed to cater to people who are blind," says Awatif. "The pavement is well-maintained with tactile paving to help guide their movement and it is also close to public transport hubs which makes it accessible. Buses pass by even the narrow streets and there are two monorail stations in the vicinity, so it is pretty well-connected."

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Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Tatler Asia
Taman Rimba Kiara park in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (Photo: Selamatkan Taman Rimba Kiara/Facebook)
Above Taman Rimba Kiara park in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (Photo: Selamatkan Taman Rimba Kiara/Facebook)

"TTDI is pedestrian friendly due to its land use or how it’s designed. Shops are located close to houses, and two MRT stations are situated within its vicinity. Trees line the streets with a mix of housing. There is also a lot of commercial activity going on in different parts of the neighbourhood to make walking interesting and purposeful," Lane adds. 

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Hang Tuah, Pudu

"The Hang Tuah area in KL city centre has a unique mixed development of old buildings. It has multiple transit options in the middle of the city. Jalan Dewan Bahasa has protected pavements along its stretch and different zebra crossings, including a well-maintained overpass," says Awatif. 

The community who live in the area generally rely on these amenities and we can see how they have made it easy for pedestrians to use. On one walk here, we explored the connection in this area to a World War II cemetery, juxtaposing the flashy new landscape of the city with this hidden historical site."

Sentul

"The centre of Sentul has continuous pavements connecting different areas including schools, shops, and so many beautiful places of worship, positioned alongside newer commercial zones. You can get around relatively easily although you would encounter several pedestrian bridges." 

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