KUALA LUMPUR: The Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) recently hosted the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards 16 (MLAA16) Gala Night 2026 at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, celebrating excellence, innovation and leadership in landscape architecture across Malaysia and the region.

The prestigious annual awards brought together distinguished guests, government representatives, city leaders, developers, landscape architects, allied professionals, academics, students and international delegates from across Asean, reaffirming MLAA’s role as Malaysia’s leading platform for recognising outstanding achievements in landscape architecture.

The evening was graced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan, alongside key industry and government leaders, including International Federation of Landscape Architects' Asia Pacific region president Paul Chan Yuen King, ILAM president Assoc Prof Nor Atiah Ismail, Board of Town Planners Malaysia chairman Alias Rameli and National Landscape Department director-general Mansor Mohamad.

MLAA16 received 154 submissions across 20 categories, covering professional practice, international projects, developers, contractors, green products, government initiatives, CSR, research, student works, climate action and landscape industry recognition. The awards continue to set benchmarks for design quality, environmental responsibility, public value and professional excellence.

Landscape architecture beyond beautification

In her address, Yeoh highlighted that landscape architecture is no longer merely about beautification but is increasingly connected to ecology, climate resilience, public health, urban design, community well-being and long-term sustainability.

She emphasised that in dense urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, parks, trees, river corridors, detention ponds and open spaces play a larger role in cooling the city, absorbing rainwater, supporting biodiversity and creating inclusive public spaces.

She also underlined the growing importance of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in addressing urban challenges such as heavier rainfall, flash floods, urban heat island effect, tree loss and declining biodiversity. Well-planned wetlands, detention ponds, urban trees, river corridors and green networks, she noted, are vital components of modern city infrastructure.

MLAA16 as a benchmark

This year’s awards also carried regional significance, with representatives from Asean countries present at the gala. MLAA16 not only celebrates Malaysian excellence but also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and benchmarking for landscape architecture across Southeast Asia.

The winning projects showcased how landscape architecture can respond to climate, community, ecology, culture and urban needs in an integrated manner. They demonstrate the role of landscape architects in shaping cities where development and nature can co-exist while inspiring higher standards for more sustainable, resilient and liveable environments across the region.

The winning projects of MLAA16 demonstrate the expanding role of landscape architecture in shaping resilient cities, restoring ecosystems, improving public life and creating meaningful places for communities. Documented in the Landscape Architecture Malaysia Yearbook, these projects reflect how landscape architecture today goes beyond beautification, serving as an important form of green, blue and social infrastructure.

Among the key winning projects featured this year is TRX Public Realm, Tun Razak Exchange, Kuala Lumpur which reimagines Kuala Lumpur’s financial district as a connected green urban ecosystem. Anchored by TRX City Park, the project integrates shaded walkways, plazas, streetscapes and elevated green spaces into a continuous public realm that supports urban resilience, biodiversity, walkability and public well-being.

Its plaza and streetscape further demonstrate how landscape can shape the next generation of Kuala Lumpur’s urban identity, integrating shaded pedestrian streets, public plazas, pocket parks, heritage tree preservation and activated civic spaces.

The international winning project, Tebet Eco Park in Jakarta, Indonesia, demonstrates the power of NbS in transforming a degraded, flood-prone urban park into a thriving blue-green ecosystem. Through bioswales, rain gardens, riparian planting and naturalised river edges, the project has become an important regional benchmark for ecological restoration and climate-resilient urban park design.

In the landscape study category, Wetland Nature Park in Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang, Selangor presents a strong example of applying NbS to restore degraded land into a living wetland ecosystem. The project integrates wetlands, bioswales and detention systems to manage stormwater, mitigate flooding, enhance biodiversity and support community education.

The Edgewater Estate Landscaping and Biodiversity Master Plan in Sungai Petani, Kedah highlights a nature-first approach to township planning. Guided by biodiversity conservation, riparian restoration, habitat creation and ecological connectivity, the master plan demonstrates how development can work with nature to create a resilient and distinctive living environment.

The Taman Rekreasi Madani Programme by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), implemented nationwide through Jabatan Landskap Negara, was honoured with the President’s Award at MLAA16. The programme demonstrates how neighbourhood parks can serve as vital green infrastructure, strengthening public open space networks, supporting inclusive community recreation and embedding climate-responsive design into everyday environments across Malaysia.

MLAA16 also recognised KLCC Park as one of Malaysia’s most iconic urban landscapes and an enduring benchmark for landscape architecture in the country. Designed by renowned Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, the park continues to serve as the green lung of Kuala Lumpur, demonstrating the lasting value of mature trees, biodiversity, urban cooling and accessible public open space within a dense city centre.

Special honour

MLAA16 also marked the conferment of ILAM honorary membership to Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to sustainable urban development, the built environment, public service and city leadership.

Her contributions include her leadership as former Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, her international role in advancing sustainable cities and human settlements and her continued advocacy for inclusive, resilient and people-centred urban development. Her recognition as an ILAM honorary member reflects the close relationship between landscape architecture, urban planning, sustainability and the creation of better cities for all.

MLAA16 also recognised outstanding individuals and firms who have contributed to the growth and advancement of the landscape architecture profession. The Young Landscape Architect Award was awarded to Wong Lye Yan, recognising emerging leadership and contribution to the profession. The Prominent Landscape Architect Award was awarded to Khariza Abd Khalid, honouring her contribution and leadership in the Malaysian landscape architecture industry.

The Top Landscape Architecture Firm Award was awarded to MDLA Design Sdn Bhd, recognising the firm’s consistent contribution to design excellence, professional practice and the advancement of landscape architecture in Malaysia.

Strengthening collaboration for greener cities

ILAM's president Atiah said that MLAA16 is more than an awards ceremony. It is a platform to elevate the profession, strengthen public awareness and encourage stronger collaboration between landscape architects, government agencies, local authorities, developers, communities and regional partners.

She added that ILAM will continue to support the advancement of sustainable urban landscapes, NbS, biodiversity enhancement, green infrastructure and high-quality public spaces for the people.

MLAA16 chairman Prof Osman Mohd Tahir congratulated all award recipients and noted that the winning projects set important examples for future landscape architecture projects in Malaysia and Asean.

As cities continue to face climate change, urban heat, flooding, biodiversity loss and pressure on public spaces, ILAM believes that landscape architects must be involved earlier in the planning and development process. Through integrated landscape planning, Nature-Based Solutions and strong professional collaboration, Malaysia can continue to build greener, healthier and more resilient cities for future generations.

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