Veritas finishes top 3 in city design contest

KUALA LUMPUR: Veritas Design Group finished in the top three in an international design competition for Indonesia’s new capital in Kalimantan.

Veritas’ design, in collaboration with PT Mitra Adhi Reka Utama (Maru), was selected from among 292 local and international contenders, it said.

“The top three will collaborate to complete the master plan for the national capital, as announced by Indonesia’s Public Works and Housing Ministry,” said the company in a statement yesterday.

Five finalists presented their designs to Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Dec 20.

It was reported that the design by URBAN+ won the two billion rupiah prize.

Veritas said the concept for the new Indonesian capital not only encompassed the government administration but also the future wellbeing of its citizens.

It was based on the concept of “a living city that will be a catalyst to transform the economy and ensure a high quality of life not only for Kalimantan, but also Indonesia, paving the way for the nation to take leadership in the region”.

Veritas Design Group president David Mizan Hashim said the company was honoured to participate in designing the master plan for the new capital, creating a modern and culturally-diverse city befitting the aspirations of Indonesians.

Its proposed master plan, which followed series of discussions and surveys on the needs of Indonesians, was led by Veritas project lead Michael Tan, with the support of Veritas Design Group design head Lillian Tay and planning director Ng Yiek Seng, as well as the Maru team.

Veritas said moving forward, the master plan design process for the new capital city must include the participation of all stakeholders.

In the absence of its future citizens, the participation of public interest groups, professional institutes, non-governmental organisations and local communities was vital, it said.

“Our vision for the national capital city master plan lies beyond the physical planning of the new city.

“We believe the master plan must become the catalyst for development of a strong economy that will ensure a high quality of life for Kalimantan and the people of Indonesia,” said David Mizan.