Last updated: April 2023
To build "[a] airport in the forest, and [a] forest in the airport", a Jungle Broadwalk was created inside the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) between 2004 and 2009. KLIA is one of the world's largest airport sites, spanning over 100 square kilometres of land, and it is located in the Malaysian state of Selangor. The Jungle Boardwalk is a miniature tropical rainforest, recreated inside the airport grounds between the main terminal building and the contact pier, and in the central garden in the centre of each satellite building. Though the airport is functioning since 1998, the Jungle Boardwalk was implemented only in 2004 and is home to 3,660 trees of more than 39 species, serving almost 14 mils. passengers every year. The mini forest is home to an impressive variety of trees such as the Medang, Kelat, Tukas and Penaga lilin trees that are indigenous to Malaysia. The intervention provides many benefits such as a cooling temperature level inside the airport, a space for passengers to decompress, and an exploration of the relationship between nature and humans. This project creates a miniature Indonesian rainforest inside the airport to keep alive the heritage of the country's nature. The implementer had in mind "the vision to share a piece of Mother Nature’s tropical heritage with our passengers through the refreshing experience of walking through our natural forest reserve.” This and the fact that the airport is Green Globe Certified makes the intervention unique. (1,2,3,4)
klia-jungle-boardwalk-layover
Lizza Bella
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature in buildings (indoor)
- Atriums/Courtyards
- Parks and urban forests
- Green corridors and green belts
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Creation of new green areas
Project objectives
Even though the airport was planned in the 1990s, the idea of a forest boardwalk inside the airport that can connect a terminal with the main pier was of a later date. Even so, the goals were very clear as it was paramount to create a forest that is very specific to the types of birds it can attract, as it would have jeopardised their safety and that of airplanes. In short, the goals of the intervention were:
1. To create a Jungle Boardwalk (green corridor) that allows passengers to have an aerial view of the flora and fauna of a jungle trail through the natural forest reserve at the centre core fully realizing the concept of "the airport in the forest, and the forest in the airport."
2. To offer passengers a refreshing recreational and tranquil experience of walking through a mini natural forest reserve during transit or layover - a brief respite and experience a microcosm of what a Malaysian tropical jungle has to offer.
3. To provide habitat for different types of indigenous trees and fauna specific to the Selangor region.
4. To act as a surrounding forest for blocking the airport sound as well as expressing Malaysian identity. (1,2,3,4,5)
Implementation activities
The Jungle Boardwalk was fully opened in December 2009 with a 970 square meters of rainforest transplanted from the jungles of Sepang. More than 39 species (e.g Alstonia Angustiloba, Alstonia Angustiloba) and a variant of shrubs (e.g Calathea, Sterculia Foetida) were planted. The Jungle Boardwalk was complemented by a waterfall (1,2,3).
The intervention is seen as an ecological experiment that aims to create a residential environment in which the buildings and the forests will be in symbiosis in an extremely overt way. Planting tall trees close to buildings creates shade and natural ventilation, making it possible to plan new buildings without the need for energy-wasteful air conditioning. (5)
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Means for conservation governance
- Raise public awareness
Main beneficiaries
- National-level government
- Private sector/Corporate/Company
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- National government
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The intervention was government-led, with the government paying special attention to the design of the building so that it may conserve the natural habitat surrounding it. The government selected Kisho Kurokawa (renowned architect) worked alongside Akitek Jururancang (M) Sdn Bhd and Pacific Consultants International to realise the project’s true potential. Funding was provided by the Malaysian government. (2)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
No
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(The National Physical Plan of Malaysia mentions KLIA. (8) KLIA is in compliance with environmental statutory law under Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127), Regulations, Rules and Orders and relevant Standards published by Department of Environment. (10))
... a local policy or strategy?
No
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public national budget
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Lowered local temperature
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Environmental quality
- Reduced noise exposure
- Green space and habitat
- Increased green space area
- Increased number of species present
Economic impacts
- Attraction of business and investment
Socio-cultural impacts
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Promotion of cultural diversity
- Improvement in people’s connection to nature
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts, Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (no date), A Touch of Zen, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
2. China Global Television Network (CGTN) (2019), Forest Inside Airport: Travellers can stroll around jungle boardwalk in Kuala Lumpur airport, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
3. Runaway Bella (no date), Visit KLIA’s hidden Jungle that is helping to preserve Malaysia’s rainforest, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
4. The Moodie Davitt Report (2016), Vibrant new shopping experience at KLIA, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
5. Tony Hwijaya (2011), Environmental Response 2: Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, available at Source link (accessed 26-03-2023)
6. Rashvellu (2011), The introduction of Kuala Lumpur International Airport ( KLIA ), available at Source link (accessed 26-03-2023)
7. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (2007), Annual Report 2007, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
8. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, JAPAN (MLIT) (no date), Malaysia, available at Source link (accessed 26-03-2023)
9. Kisho, K., Dennis, Sharp., Catherine, S. and Tomio O. (1999) Kisho Kurokawa: Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Available at Source link (accessed on 23-1-2023)
10. Malaysia Airports (2011), Clear Horizons, Our Third Sustainability Report, available at Source link (accessed 30-03-2023)
11. Green Airports (2014), available at Source link (accessed 30-03-2023)
2. China Global Television Network (CGTN) (2019), Forest Inside Airport: Travellers can stroll around jungle boardwalk in Kuala Lumpur airport, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
3. Runaway Bella (no date), Visit KLIA’s hidden Jungle that is helping to preserve Malaysia’s rainforest, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
4. The Moodie Davitt Report (2016), Vibrant new shopping experience at KLIA, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
5. Tony Hwijaya (2011), Environmental Response 2: Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, available at Source link (accessed 26-03-2023)
6. Rashvellu (2011), The introduction of Kuala Lumpur International Airport ( KLIA ), available at Source link (accessed 26-03-2023)
7. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (2007), Annual Report 2007, available at Source link (accessed 23-1-2023)
8. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, JAPAN (MLIT) (no date), Malaysia, available at Source link (accessed 26-03-2023)
9. Kisho, K., Dennis, Sharp., Catherine, S. and Tomio O. (1999) Kisho Kurokawa: Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Available at Source link (accessed on 23-1-2023)
10. Malaysia Airports (2011), Clear Horizons, Our Third Sustainability Report, available at Source link (accessed 30-03-2023)
11. Green Airports (2014), available at Source link (accessed 30-03-2023)
KLIA_Jungle_Boardwalk
Malaysia Airports Instagram (@malaysiaairports)
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Noel Cabacungan
KLIA Jungle Boardway Aerial View
klia2.info
KLIA Satellite Building
klia2.info
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the "NBS 2022" UNA Asian extension project funded by the Asia-Europe Foundation.