This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on August 24, 2026 - August 30, 2026 With about 85% of Malaysia’s population expected to live in urban areas by 2045, its cities will increasingly determine the country’s climate future. In his keynote address at the recent Cities Climate Connect 2026 (CCC2026) conference, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said, “The future of Malaysia will increasingly be shaped by the future of our cities. We need cities that stay cool, manage water wisely and where nature remains part of everyday life, where technology solves real problems, and above all, we need cities designed not simply around buildings, roads and infrastructure, but around people.” In her welcome remarks, Malaysia Green Building Council (malaysiaGBC) president Serina Hijjas said, “We can build healthier buildings, more resilient cities, stronger professions and a more sustainable Malaysia. I believe Malaysia has the talent, innovation, leadership and partnerships needed to achieve that vision. What is required now is our collective commitment.” Organised by malaysiaGBC, with the theme “Where Sustainability and Innovation Converge”, CCC2026 was held at Nexus Bangsar South in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 12 and 13. The conference featured four forum sessions — the Climate Action Forum, Circular Built Environment Forum, Urban Resilience Forum and Future Cities Forum — bringing together built environment professionals to discuss climate action, circularity, resilience and technology. The two-day event drew over 300 attendees and featured 12 exhibitors. The Climate Action Forum focused on the scale of the challenge faced by the built environment and the need to rethink how buildings and cities are designed. MVRDV Architecture global director of research and innovation Sanne van der Burgh shared the firm’s approach to architecture and urban development, whereby waste is increasingly being transformed