As part of the KLAF 2026 outreach and engagement initiatives, PAM Southern Chapter (PAMSo) successfully organised PAMSo FSBJ 2026 & KLAF 2026 Talk & Tour at the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC), Iskandar Puteri, Johor. The programme brought together architects, planners, local authorities, developers, industry partners, students and built environment professionals to discuss the future of cities within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), focusing on public space activation, urban liveability and city beautification.
The event served as an important regional activation under KLAF 2026, extending the Future Culture conversation beyond Kuala Lumpur and demonstrating how architecture, planning and community-led initiatives can collectively contribute towards more resilient and peoplecentred cities. The programme consisted of opening Addresses by:
• PAM President 2026/2027, Ar. Dexter Koh Yew Peng
• PAM Southern Chapter Chairman, Ar. Ahmad Farik Abd Ghaffar
• KLAF 2026 Director, Ar. Lim Gim Huang
• Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), Tuan Haji Yusof Ahmad
The forum titled “Elevating JS-SEZ Cities: A PBT Beautification Blueprint” invited speakers including representatives from:
• PAM Southern Chapter, Ar. Ahmad Farik Abd Ghaffar
• Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), Tuan Haji Yusof Ahmad
• Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Puan Kamisah Mohd Ghazali
• Arkitek ICB Sdn. Bhd., Ar. Zaihan Md Tahir & Tuan Mohd Faizul Mohd Lazin
Participants were given an exclusive guided tour of the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC). The walkabout allowed participants to experience firsthand the relationship between public space design, community activation and urban programming. The programme concluded with refreshments and networking opportunities among participants, industry partners and stakeholders. PAMSo FSBJ 2026 & KLAF 2026 Talk & Tour successfully delivered a meaningful platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and regional engagement.
By bringing together professionals, public agencies, industry partners and the community, the programme demonstrated how architecture, planning and public space activation can contribute towards more liveable, resilient and future-ready cities. The event reflects the broader aspirations of KLAF 2026 Future Culture — creating connections, fostering collaboration and shaping the future of our built environment through meaningful dialogue and action.
