Malaysia 2 - How does a developing country build such monumentally spectacular buildings?

All photographs can be used in any teaching and learning context in a school but cannot be used for any other purposes without prior permission of Chris Durbin 

This is a profile of Kuala Lumpur. It is a perception a first impression. Two days is insufficient to get under the skin of a city, but it certainly made a good impression on me.  Its spectacular, its hot, its vibrant and its dynamic.  It has a morality too, a spiritual nature but above all it gives you a sense of inclusiveness regardless of your ethnic background. Is good news unimportant in geography?  Are we too sceptical of success? Do we fear the competition? Newly industrialising does not have mean squalor for some, lack of morality and change at all costs. If people have other views, send them in!

	2.1 Kuala Lumpur means muddy creek and yet this image could not be further from it. These are the Petronas towers, are owned by Petronas, the state oil company of Malaysia.
	2.2 These towers are made of steel and glass and are 452 m tall They sit at the heart of the CBD of KL.
	2.3 KL is the capital city, the financial centre and a it seems a boomtown. This is a view across the CBD from the 41st floor 'The Sky Bridge' over the office blocks, hotels and luxury appartments.
	2.4 In amongst it is modern parks and gardens.
	2.5 Development can benefit from cheap labour from rural people who come in search of work.
	2.6 There are very few Shanty towns, most people a housed in blocks of flats.
	2.7 Some people live in one or two story houses with a compound.  This is the sign of an emerging urban middle class.
	2.8 Even immediately below the high rise buildings, there are leafy suburbs.
	2.9 However there are also the super rich who show off their wealth.
	2.10 The young urban wealthy enjoy the nightlife in bars and clubs. English premiership football plays above the rock and roll band
	2.12 Traffic is growing fast, the cool air conditioned cars take away from the sweltering heat
	2.13 New forms of transport are being built to ease the pressure.
	2.14 The scooter is used by many to avoid the jams.
	2.15 Little India sells Sari cloths and jewellery
	2.16  Muslim Malay women shop for headscarves. Malaysian Indians shop for saris.
	2.17 This is a commercial city reflecting the different ethnic groups. What they have in common is bright colours. A young Muslim woman folds cloth ready for the shop. These cloths have come from all over Asia to be sold here.
	2.18 You may need a cold drink and if business is not good in one place then take it to another.
	2.19 There is always a bite to eat and the smells are delicious.
	2.20 Fish and chicken is common, and no pork as many people are Muslim.
	2.21 Chinatown is home of the original imitation! It comes alive at night, people seeking a bargain.
	2.22 Clearing up at 11 pm. This is a city that sleeps but not for long!
	2.23  Young people travel the city at night. There is a very little crime. But this is country with large numbers of young people and growing fast.  Young and urban and enjoying life.
	2.24 This is a dynamic city, where people are upwardly mobile and not so many people are left behind. Beggars are very few and street sellers do not so poor.
	2.25 Sure, there are few traffic problems but solutions are being found.
	2.26 People seem to live in peace, enjoy their lives and believe in the change that is happening too them. well that was the Malay cab drivers view.
	2.27 KL in a nutshell! These were taken on a recent teachers inspection visit with Discover the Living Planet.  There are many acknowledgements. Particular thanks to Tony Escritt .

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This page last updated 14 March 2007