SHAH ALAM, Oct 12 — The RM3 billion SA Sentral mixed development project could breathe new life into Shah Alam as a lively city centre, transforming it from mainly an administrative hub into a vibrant urban centre by reconnecting key urban assets, drawing more people and boosting economic activity.
Universiti Putra Malaysia senior lecturer of economics Muhammad Daaniyall Abd Rahman said the 145-acre project could create a new urban ecosystem by bringing residential, commercial, retail, convention, and public spaces together, with its transit-oriented development (TOD) approach as a key strength.
“SA Sentral has the potential to change the function of Shah Alam’s city centre from an administrative centre into a city centre that is truly alive throughout the day,” he told Media Selangor.
From an urban economic perspective, SA Sentral’s main strength lies in its TOD approach, with Linkar52, a mixed-use development comprising residential and retail spaces, located about 50 metres from the Dato’ Menteri LRT Station.
Another example Daaniyall provided under the development to reconnect Shah Alam’s fragmented urban fabric is Aneka Walk, a 300-metre covered pedestrian corridor at SA Sentral that connects key areas and provides space for retail, food, cultural activities, and events, linking several key assets through a pedestrian-friendly environment.
He added that both developments provide a foundation for greater connectivity and activity in the area.
Daaniyall said despite the ongoing development, SA Sentral’s success should be measured by increases in visitor numbers, duration of stay, local spending and post-office working hours.
Integrating residences, offices, retail, hotels and public transport could foster a new economic hub.
As such, he said each component can generate demand for the others while creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the creative economy, and local services.
To keep Shah Alam lively throughout the day, he said SA Sentral would need consistent activities to build a vibrant night-time economy, rather than relying solely on food and beverage (F&B) outlets.
Daaniyall proposed a year-round events calendar and a distinct identity such as a “Shah Alam Arts, Culture & Creative District”, while also calling for better last-mile connectivity through covered walkways, feeder buses, micromobility and LRT integration.
“SA Sentral needs a consistent programme of activities such as arts performances, premium night markets, food festivals, family activities, street art, open performances, and seasonal events,” he said.
Highlighting the economic benefits SA Sentral could offer Selangor’s capital, Bank Muamalat chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the mixed-use development could generate a broader economic multiplier effect by connecting Shah Alam’s current assets and attracting more visitors.
“The RM3 billion is the development value; the actual economic value can be greater when these activities generate a multiplier effect on the local economy, especially in terms of business opportunities and employment for the people of Selangor,” he said.
The project should be viewed as an urban rejuvenation effort rather than simply the construction of new buildings, with increased activity potentially benefiting F&B, retail, hotels, e-hailing, events, entertainment, local entrepreneurs, and SMEs.
“The question is how we connect these assets so that the city centre has more activities and increased footfall throughout the day,” Afzanizam said.
Similarly, the Selangor International Trade Centre (SITC) could further enhance SA Sentral’s economic impact by attracting conferences, trade exhibitions, and business events.
Visitors attending such events would also generate demand for accommodation, food, shopping, and local services, allowing the economic benefits to extend beyond the convention centre itself.
On making SA Sentral a destination beyond office hours, he agreed that its night-time economy should be family-friendly and supported by restaurants, cafes, quality night markets, cultural performances, weekend markets, food festivals, and family activities.
"The area should also be walkable, well-lit, safe and shaded, with attractions connected conveniently to one another,” Afzanizam said.
He also suggested that SA Sentral develop a distinctive attraction that could give Shah Alam a recognisable identity, potentially drawing on the city’s education ecosystem to develop a niche in technology and entrepreneurship.
SA Sentral is an urban development project by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), with an estimated development value of RM3 billion, planned for completion by 2031.
It was officially launched in September 2024 to revitalise Shah Alam’s city centre into a business and lifestyle hub through mixed development and improved public transport connectivity. It will feature a mix of commercial spaces, community facilities, recreational areas, and public transport links within a complementary ecosystem.
SA Sentral chief executive officer (designate) Datuk Mohd Najib Ibrahim previously said that the project is more than just a physical development, serving instead as a platform to help shape the future of Shah Alam as a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient city prepared to face the challenges of urbanisation in the years ahead.
