The Road to Walkability: Can Johor Bahru Transform for a Pedestrian Future?

Johor Bahru, a vibrant city buzzing on Malaysia's southern tip, finds itself at a pivotal moment. With the much-anticipated Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link just around the corner, promising a seamless connection to Singapore, and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) poised to attract an influx of businesses and talent, JB is looking towards a future brimming with potential. But here's the kicker: for all this growth to truly thrive, the city needs to get serious about becoming walkable. And let's be honest, that's no small feat for a place long accustomed to the rumble of car engines.

Imagine this: by January 2027, the RTS Link is set to begin service, ferrying up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. That's a huge number, meaning not everyone can just hop into a car. To accommodate this, an elevated pedestrian walkway – a grand spine stretching 450 meters – is already planned, connecting the Bukit Chagar station directly to vital transport hubs like JB Sentral, bus bays, taxi stands, and even the Keretapi Tanah Melayu trains. There's even talk of extending it to Coronation Square, though that part is still a work in progress. Transport Minister Anthony Loke himself announced this crucial link in August 2026, underscoring its importance. The vision is clear: these commuters need to be able to move freely, safely, and comfortably on foot.

But stepping away from the plans and into the present reality, the experience on the ground in JB's city centre can, frankly, be a bit "unforgiving." That's how Professor Muhammad Zaly Shah, a transportation and logistics expert from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, puts it. And he's not wrong. Many existing walkways are a patchwork of potholes, often obstructed by anything from parked motorcycles to overflowing bins. It’s a city that was, in many ways, built for cars, not for people taking a leisurely stroll. Johnson Anthony, a 71-year-old security officer who commutes to Singapore, expressed his hope for better pedestrian links back in August 2026, echoing the sentiments of many. Even avid cyclist Wong Chien Yee, 36, told us he often avoids the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD) altogether because of the congestion and the constant battle with obstructed bike lanes. It's clear the infrastructure just hasn't kept pace with the aspirations.

Yet, there's a strong desire to change this narrative. The Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), a 101-hectare heartland of Johor Bahru, is central to this transformation. The Johor state government, in June 2025, reiterated its ambitious goal: to elevate the IIBD into a "world-class business hub," boosting its economic value from RM208 million to a staggering RM21 billion by 2040. Part of this vision actually began a while back. Remember the Sungai Segget canal? It got a facelift in 2023, turning into a sprawling canal walkway. This was all part of a larger 2015 master plan by Johor Corporation (J Corp), aiming to increase the IIBD's gross development value to RM25 billion, with the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) spearheading the refurbishment.

To inject fresh ideas, local authorities are even looking globally. In July 2026, Cerebrum, J Corp's very own think-tank, co-hosted a seminar with none other than Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), the renowned global architecture firm. Filippo Innocenti, a director at ZHA, presented some really intriguing concepts, focusing on how to seamlessly integrate vehicles while prioritizing pedestrians in the IIBD. While Cerebrum head Umar Zakir Abdul Hamid clarified it was "an organic, non-binding collaboration centred around the exchange of ideas" – essentially a brainstorming session – the mere presence of such an influential firm (which, by the way, master-planned Singapore's one-north and is working on Discovery City in Johor) speaks volumes about the city's serious intent to reinvent itself. Town planner Chau Loon Wai even showcased AI-generated illustrations of what a redeveloped JB CBD could look like, painting a truly inspiring picture.

However, beautiful designs and grand plans are only part of the equation. As experts suggest, transforming Johor Bahru into a truly walkable city demands firm policies, consistent enforcement, and proactive engagement. It means the Johor Bahru City Council needs to step up, talking to landowners about those currently vacant, neglected pockets of prime land in the CBD and figuring out how to weave them into a cohesive pedestrian network. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, following a meeting with state representatives in August 2026, emphasized the need for an integrated public transport system, which naturally includes better walking options. The city could certainly learn from its neighbors too – Singapore’s extensive underground links, Kuala Lumpur’s covered walkways, and even models from Bangkok or Hong Kong, especially when it comes to funding, perhaps having property developers contribute to these crucial pedestrian links.

So, where does this leave Johor Bahru? At a crossroads, undeniably. The dream of a city where you can comfortably walk from the RTS Link to your office, grab a coffee, and explore without battling traffic or broken pavements is within reach. But it requires more than just grand pronouncements; it needs a concerted, sustained effort from all stakeholders. The groundwork is being laid, the conversations are happening, and the vision is slowly taking shape. It’s a challenging journey, but one that promises to unlock a whole new level of vibrancy and livability for this dynamic Malaysian city.