Eupe Corporation’s Edgewater development puts the restoration of nature and wellbeing at its heart

The dream of living entwined with nature is taking shape with Edgewater, the township being developed by Eupe Corporation Bhd. This latest project stands out for the fact that all its 128 acres are designed around a river, with biodiversity corridors at its heart. Water, landscapes and lush open spaces are the structuring elements of the plan.

The residential phases alongside the upcoming commercial precincts such as The Grove, an upcoming community mall, will be woven together by a central riparian corridor called Edgewater Central Park. Furthermore, there will be pocket parks and managed softbank ponds within the township. This is because Edgewater follows four core design pillars: living within nature, water-based urban design, biodiversity hub and community integration. Homes are planned to open onto greens and walking trails threaded through trees and streams, with every home within walking distance of parks, ponds or the waterway.

Getting there, however, involves decisions that go beyond the addition of landscaping. Eupe is setting aside land that could otherwise be developed to give the river room to remain part of the township. A 30m river corridor, including buffers on both ends of the river, twice the buffer size required for a concrete monsoon drain, will be maintained according to the developer. This comes at the cost of about 5% of otherwise-developable commercial land.

The layout also follows the site’s natural contours to minimise earthworks, retaining the existing stream and its flow. Water catchments and the terrain guide the placement of water bodies which in turn influence how the homes are arranged.

Together with managed ponds using bio-engineered banks, the river forms part of the township’s approach to natural flood mitigation. For future residents, it will also provide a setting for everyday recreation, with riverside seating, picnic areas and spaces for play and meditation. Trails will also accommodate walking, running and cycling.

Helping local biodiversity grow and feel safe

Edgewater aims to preserve, restore and construct up to 70% of the site’s biodiversity baseline after development by using the Singapore Biodiversity Accounting (SGBA) model. A pre-development flora and fauna survey recorded up to 227 species on site, including 48 bird species. These findings establish a baseline against which changes can be measured.

The project also targets several increases from this baseline. These include increasing tree species that are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List from one to 30, raising native plant distribution from 56% to 72% and boosting vascular plant species from 158 to 180. Another 15 aquatic plant species will be introduced where none were previously recorded.

Much of this work will involve gradually changing the composition of the landscape. A large majority of the site’s exotic trees, mainly Acacia and Albizia, are replaced with native saplings. Using Miyawaki-style planting, Eupe aims to establish a native dominated secondary rainforest over approximately 20 years. The saplings will be nurtured in Eupe’s nurseries before being transferred to the site. They include threatened species such as the critically endangered Balau Pasir while sourcing saplings from Orang Asli communities in the Belum Rainforest will also support local livelihoods.

Materials from the site will also find new uses within the township. Felled timber will be turned into landscape elements and sculptures while branches can provide shelter for insects or be placed strategically in the river as part of the restoration work. Naturally, Eupe’s landscape management plans will thus minimise chemical fertilisers, synthetic pesticides and herbicides. About 1,000kg of food and organic waste from its tenants and Cinta Sayang Resort is to be composted annually, providing another way to reuse resources and reduce GHG emissions.

Nurturing hubs for the Merbok Estuary

Space for wildlife is another consideration. Four biodiversity hubs beside the river will be kept away from regular foot and vehicle traffic, allowing birds to nest and habitats to establish with less disturbance. Birds identified on the site include the Baya Weaver, White-throated Kingfisher and Large-tailed Nightjar.

This push for biodiversity rehabilitation is significant as its impact extends to the Merbok Estuary, one of Peninsular Malaysia’s largest remaining mangrove ecosystems, about 4km downstream. The stream at Edgewater joins Sungai Lalang and flows towards the estuary, linking the township to the mangroves beyond its boundaries. Rock weirs and tree root structures will create pools and shallow, faster-flowing sections that help aerate the water while providing habitats for fish and other wildlife. These measures are intended to improve the quality of water flowing downstream.

A Baya Weaver and a woodpecker spotted on the Edgewater site, two of the 48 bird species identified.

Restoring nature and wellbeing in the long term

Alongside the ecological work, the township’s commercial spaces will be ready to serve residents’ daily needs. The Grove is planned as an everyday family lifestyle and community destination in Sungai Petani, combining shopping, dining, convenience and recreation. The Grove and other commercial components are scheduled for completion by 2028, followed by the residential component by 2029.

All of this work goes beyond just the restoration of nature. It is a restoration of natural rhythms and wellbeing by weaving nature into residents’ lifestyles. “Edgewater is built on a long-term belief that development does not have to come at the expense of nature. It can restore what has been diminished, reconnect what has been separated and leave an environment richer and more resilient for generations that follow. Ultimately, we are not building for the people who will live here today. We are stewards of a future we may never see,” said Eupe sales, marketing and design director Datin Michelle Gan.

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