EdgeProp Malaysia has released a special report called Blueprint for Wellness: Townships Redefining Healthy Living in 2025.The report highlights 16 carefully chosen townships across Peninsular Malaysia that promote healthier lifestyles.
From a pool of 69 developments, these townships were selected based on five key areas: green spaces, amenities, sports facilities, community spaces, and wellness services. Each township features thoughtful landscape design that encourages residents to stay active and supports their well-being.
Alvin Ong, managing director of EdgeProp Malaysia, explains that this report focuses on health-centered township designs. Their research found that elements such as walkability, community engagement, vibrant green areas, and healthy dining options align with the principles of the world’s six Blue Zones — regions known for long, healthy lives.
“Our goal is to inspire buyers, builders, and policymakers to create environments that naturally encourage healthier habits. Understanding what is available is the first step toward adopting a more balanced lifestyle,” Ong said.
The report also highlights the urgent health challenges Malaysia faces. Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, CEO of the National Heart Institute (IJN), notes that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity are on the rise, affecting people at younger ages.
“While NCDs used to be common mostly in people aged 50 and above, now we see many patients in their late 20s and 30s,” he said. “Modern lifestyles with long hours sitting in offices, unhealthy diets, and stress all contribute to this trend.”
Behavioural scientist Liyann Ooi adds that the environment plays a major role in shaping health habits. She points out that people make thousands of daily decisions, often influenced by what is visible and convenient around them. Unfortunately, urban design in Malaysia often favors cars over pedestrians, creating unsafe or disconnected walkways that discourage walking.
Despite these challenges, more Malaysians are now valuing wellness features when choosing homes. Nor Atiah Ismail, president of the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM), explains that landscape design is evolving from purely aesthetic purposes to promoting health and sustainability.
She identifies four key principles for townships aiming to redefine healthy living: well-being through landscape, disaster risk management, sustainability, and ecological balance. Central to these is the presence of active green spaces — accessible parks and forests that cover at least 30% of the township area. These spaces should combine ‘active’ elements like parks with ‘borrowed’ natural features such as nearby forests.
Although Malaysia has yet to reach the status of a Blue Zone, thoughtful township planning can help foster healthier daily habits and improve well-being. The full report reveals townships leading the way with walkable layouts, green parks, and convenient shops and markets.
Related Topics
