Center Point of Indonesia is a megaproject being built off the coast of Makassar. City planners had an opportunity to make an iconic global city. Instead, they have opted for suburbia in the sea. They are making the same urban planning mistakes that are being made in every other Indonesian city. This is a review […]
Funan Techo Canal: a waterway and canal system connecting Phnom Penh to Kampot
The Funan Techo Canal is an under-construction waterway that will connect Phnom Penh to Kampot via the Bassac River. The canal will enable goods to be shipped to and from the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port without having to go through Vietnam. The project was formerly known as the Bassac River Navigation and Logistics System (“BRNLS”), […]
Center Point of Indonesia in Makassar: waterfront development on reclaimed land
Center Point of Indonesia (CPI) is a waterfront development in Makassar, Indonesia. This new urban area is being built on artificial islands in the shape of a Garuda bird (the national emblem of Indonesia). CPI is opposite the old city waterfront area of Losari Beach. The CPI land reclamation project is the largest waterfront development […]
Bali Light Rail Transit (LRT): the proposed subway system of Bali
The Bali Light Rail Transit (LRT), also referred to as the Bali Urban Subway, is a proposed underground transit system connecting Ngurah Rai International Airport to locations in South Bali and Ubud. The Bali subway will be built in 4 phases: Phase 1: Airport-Sentral Parkir Kuta-Seminyak-Berawa-Cemagi (16 km) Phase 2: Airport-Jimbaran-Unud-Nusa Dua (13.5 km) Phase […]
Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC): New tech city in Johor, Malaysia
Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC) is a 7,290-acre township in Sedenak, Johor, Malaysia. IBTEC is planned as a major circular city within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Sedenak was designated as the sixth flagship zone of Iskandar Malaysia (Zone F) in 2021. Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC) map Sedenak mukim (an administrative division of a district) is in […]
Indonesia railways report: 2024 edition
On my 2024 trip to Indonesia I had the distinction of riding the railways of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. These are the only islands in Indonesia with passenger railways, so it was good to see how the railways compare between the islands. This report is an overview of Indonesia’s railways as of 2024. Sumatra The […]
Nusantara Autonomous Rail Transit (ART)
The Nusantara Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) is a transit system under trial in Nusantara, the new capital city of Indonesia. The ART is best described as a trackless tram. The tram does not require rails or a purpose-built track like on a people-mover system. This trackless tram operates on the road like a bus. The […]
An Thuong Streets: how Da Nang inadvertently built a vibrant beach neighbourhood
An Thuong Tourist Streets is a neighbourhood on My Khe Beach in Da Nang. Despite the cringe name, this area is a model for how to build a walkable and vibrant beach neighbourhood. Other cities in Southeast Asia should take note. An Thuong Tourist Streets The An Thuong Tourist Streets (also referred to as An […]
Dong Hoi construction update – 2024 edition
Dong Hoi is the capital of Quang Binh Province in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam. The city aspires to be a major tourism destination, but many high-profile construction projects remain unfinished. This construction report is from my visit in August 2024. I previously visited Dong Hoi in August 2019, so it was good […]
Bac Ninh construction and transport projects
Bac Ninh province is located in the Red River Delta region of Vietnam. The province is to the east of Hanoi and is considered as part of the Hanoi Capital Region. Bac Ninh is one of the major industrial provinces in Vietnam, and it has become a high-tech manufacturing hub. Some of the big names […]
