CIVIC INFILTRATION
“The project is a response to two current crises in Kuala Lumpur: First, the intensification of flooding phenomenon. Second, the ambiguous legal and spatial definition of Malay reserve land. Kuala Lumpur relies heavily on hard, high-tech infrastructure to mitigate urban flooding. However, this strategy is spatially unequal in distributing the damages as excess water regularly flows and floods low-lying Malay Reserve Land.”
Huang Jia-Wei, 2021.
SYNOPSIS
The project is a response to two current crises in Kuala Lumpur: First, the intensification of flooding phenomenon. Second, the ambiguous legal and spatial definition of Malay reserve land. Kuala Lumpur relies heavily on hard, high-tech infrastructure to mitigate urban flooding. However, this strategy is spatially unequal in distributing the damages as excess water regularly flows and floods low-lying Malay Reserve Land.
Instead of resisting flooding through the same obsolete tactics, the project proposes to create a new porous infrastructural ground in Malay Reserve Lands. One capable of absorbing water and laying the foundation for a paradigm shift in urban development. A ground in the defence of its inhabitants, who are under fierce political and developmental pressures to be evicted.
The project achieves this by alleviating the ground from impermeable structures. Replacing them with the construction of ground water infrastructure and quality porous structures. The ground operates as a sponge perforated by infiltration piles and ponds which activate the area. The piles have two functions: water infiltration and structural foundation, supporting light structures and a variety of programs such as housing, civic and public spaces.
HUANG JIA-WEI
Currently a Diploma student at the Architecture Association. I have work experience at C’arch Architecture and holds BSc in Architecture from Welsh School of Architecture. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, I am a designer and researcher interested in working with natural ecosystems. My most recent project investigates the use of porous sponge infrastructures and architecture in territories afflicted by political and infrastructure crises.