Transport systems set to take off in Far East

Design work in the Far East is booming as governments invest heavily in transport systems to keep up with the growth of their economies and populations.

Malaysia and Indonesia both have ambitious rail projects under-way, with international teams working with local companies.

The first subway system in Jakarta, Indonesia, was given the go-ahead this month and will run 14.5km as the initial part of the capital’s new mass transit system.

The project’s designers will be decided in the next two months, according to a spokesman for Taylor Woodrow International, part of the construction consortium. The subway system is set to be running in 2001.

The green light has also been given for the 420m second phase of the light rail transit system in Kuala Lumpur. Lead designers on the 12 new stations are Ove Arup with local architect Kitas Sdn Bhd.

Phase two is a 15km extension to the first phase, which is currently under construction using local architects, says a consortium spokeswoman.

Phase two construction is due to start later this year, with completion planned for 1998. Signage is being sourced locally, says a spokesman for Taylor Woodrow International, which is again

part of the railway’s consortium.

Malaysia is also rushing to complete a new international airport by January 1998 – in time for its hosting of the Commonwealth Games.

BDG/McColl’s new Malaysian office is responsible for the design of all the terminal building’s public areas and the project architect is Kisho Kurokawa in Japan (see News, page 5).

The airport will cover 100km2 and will be capable of handling 60 million passengers a year by 2020.