Eco Forest is located at the foothills of Broga Hill, one of the most popular hiking trails in Selangor. Built on the area of a former oil palm and rubber plantation, the latest project by Eco World Development Group promises curated green landscapes, fresh air, and comfortable living with the views of the majestic Titiwangsa Range.
This is Green Quarter’s first time facilitating a township to obtain Green Building Index (GBI) certification. Certain categories in the GBI Rating Tool Assessment are different than the one for buildings and renovation, such as Community Planning and Design (CPD) and Transport and Connectivity (TRC). As the role of sustainability consultants, Green Quarter was responsible for finding and coordinating solutions to build a community in a sustainable fashion.
Staying true to its name, Eco Forest boasts energy efficient and water reducing features across the township. Potable water consumption is reduced by at least 30% with rainwater harvesting and retention, outside of landscaping.
For electricity, lamps with a life of at least 15,000 hours and gas discharge of below zero (<3mg/100W) provides efficient lighting for public spaces and the streets. The main roads of Eco Forest have a luminous efficacy of 100lm/W, while the outdoor carparks and parks have an energy flux of less than 3W/m2 and 2W/m2, respectively.
To protect the environment and ecology of the area, many steps have been taken to address these sensitivities. For ecology assessment and monitoring, a Biodiversity Action Plan has been conducted and commissioned, and indigenous flora have been carefully planted across the area to conserve the ecological value of the site. Even when being located at an elevated area, the township’s planning has adopted flood mitigation measures which are in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS). The development also complies with the Urban Stormwater Management Manual, also written by JPS. Eco Forest’s drainage system actively removes source pollutants from stormwater runoff so that water discharge is safe to be released back to the environment.
Community Planning & Design: Plenty of greenspaces (CPD1), Amenities for communities, Provision for Universal Accessibility, Health in Design, Recycling Facilities, Affordable Housing, and local Governance
Eco Forest is suitable for those who want to live in a green environment while staying connected to Kuala Lumpur. More than 50% of open spaces are vegetated and all designated recreational spaces are within 800m from residential areas, making greenspaces accessible for all. The township also regulates polluting industries such as industrial facilities, markets, and motor workshops, through zoning and adequate wastewater collection and treatment facilities. For waste management, recycling centres and compactor stations are provided.
At the heart of Eco Forest is the community. To make sure their concerns are addressed, regular dialogue sessions are held between Eco World and the residents. Sometimes, the developers also conduct talks on sustainability features to educate the public. There is also an active Resident’s Association which oversees the implementation of community-based sustainability initiatives.
