In Garden Cities of Tomorrow published in 1902, the author, Sir Ebenezer Howard wrote about the creation of new towns with limited size, by permanent belts of agricultural land, where man can live harmoniously with the rest of nature.

If Howard were alive today, he would be astounded to see his concept taken to the next level more diverse and on a much grander scale. Putrajaya, Malaysia s first Intelligent Garden City, is the futuristic and trendy administrative centre of the Federal Government. Here we see a convergence of the past, present and future. A union of heritage, design and technology. For example, fibre-optic cables and minarets reflect the personality of this city, as do modern stylized bridges and manicured gardens.

Everywhere in the world, city planners continuously seek to enhance the quality of life through better city planning, better housing and better public services. New Zealand has its garden city in Christchurch, and Canada, in Vancouver. Malaysia planned for a garden city that was stylish, yet pragmatic, and equipped with the latest technological tools to make it a model of efficient federal administration. It was a tall order, but the city planners were up to it. Fully integrated and self-contained, Putrajaya is today a showcase of the best in design and technology application.

Malaysia can lay claim to having created something never seen before in the world. Contrasting features come together to make the city an embodiment of how technology can exist in harmony with nature.

Putrajaya was conceptualized on man s three core relationships the spiritual relationship between man and his Creater, the social inter-action between man and man, and environmental harmony between man and nature. Like a person who wears many hats, Putrajaya has many objectives: to be a vital development catalyst; to act as model city; and to be nerve centre of the nation.

Putrajaya fulfills the Malaysian Government s goal of nurturing a caring and tolerant society and of ensuring continued growth in the Klang Valley by providing a more balanced development away from Kuala Lumpur, the latter still being the country s financial and commercial capital.

Some 40 per cent of the meticulously-designed capital is nature preserve. More than 60,000 trees and shrubs line its parks, botanical gardens and manicured hills. And the wetland areas teem with wildlife like swans and flamingoes.

Futuristic, yet charmingly rustic structures share space in an orderly fashion on nearly 5,000 hectares of land. This salubrious setting evokes a resort feel leading to a refreshing environment for work and play.

The story of how Putrajaya was conceived is nothing short of inspirational. The pet project of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, it has been built to meet the needs of a growing nation for at least another 300 years.

Tun Mahathir, best known for his Vision 2020 that targets a developed Malaysia by that year, unveiled Putrajaya on June 4, 1999, as a shining example of his grand vision for the future.

Putrajaya has since come to symbolize the branding of Malaysia. That it is an ambitious plan is without a doubt. The US$8.1 billion city is still undergoing expansion.

Named after the nation s founding father and first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the uniqueness of Putrajaya (the prefix Putra means Prince and the suffix jaya means success ) is further enhanced by its twin city, Cyberjaya. ( Cyber is an internet-related prefix)

Cyberjaya is positioned as an ICT hub, not only for Malaysia, but for the region. It is the nerve centre of the nation s ICT projects and aspirations.

Together Putrajaya and Cyberjaya symbolize Malaysia s hopes to be a key player in global ICT development.

Already making a huge impression on visitors are the stylishly-designed buildings where Government offices are housed. These sit along the fringes of Putra Square, surrounded by a massive man-made lake. It is envisioned that Putrajaya would attract banks, securities houses and media organizations hoping to escape Asia s most congested capitals.

High-tech schools, fishing grounds, jogging paths and artificial lakes are among the features incorporated into the system. Also functional are viewing platforms built on hills, futuristic street lights and irrigation ditches dug into grassy knolls.

More schools, healthcare facilities and public amenities will be built in the city over the next decade. Advanced communications and transportation facilities provide intra and inter-linkages. The golf course, sports stadium, cultural centre and shopping malls all have come together to make Putrajaya vibrant and visually exciting. But certainly nothing can compare with the impressive pink-domed Putra Mosque, one of the most modern in the world, and boasting the world s tallest minaret at 116m.

This sandstone mosque, overlooking a giant man-made lake, incorporates Malaysian, Persian and Arab-Islamic architectural designs. The entire complex can accommodate 15,000 worshippers and has facilities for conferences and other events.

Apart from being the Federal administrative centre, Putrajaya is also a residential suburb for thousands of civil servants. Lead developer Putrajaya Holdings, in partnership with four other property developers is responsible for developing the residential precincts outlined in the Putrajaya Master Plan. Already available are a golf course, sports stadium, cultural centre and shopping mall designed to fit into the overall concept of the city, as well as to provide fun and interesting recreational activities for the residents.

Travel writers will applaud Putrajaya s ability to draw visitors despite its label as an administrative centre. Located 50km from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya has in fact become a popular tour option for visitors.

Plans are underway to build more tourist attractions, including a water theme park, an artificial picnic beach area and a maritime museum.

When driving from Kuala Lumpur to the new city, it is easy to tell when one has reached Putrajaya. There is a surreal feel to Putrajaya as tranquility permeates the air, despite the opulence of the development.

Putrajaya is multi-dimensional in appeal trendy and futuristic in many respects yet managing to preserve that enviable rusticity one would link with the countryside. The effect is deliberate. It is due to the conscious efforts put in by its planners to ensure the garden city lives up to its name. The Putrajaya Master Plan stresses reforestation and enhancement of the natural landscape. Towards this end, lakes, botanical gardens and wetlands are incorporated, interspersed with man-made structures that blend in charmingly with their surroundings. A network of open spaces and optimization of scenic views all work towards making Putrajaya a comfortable place to live or work in.

Putrajaya s core areas are grouped into identifiable precincts, each distinctly landscaped and sculptured. Futuristically-designed facilities juxtapose with centuries-old Islamic architectural designs. They make for an awe-inspiring sight. Boulevards add colour, depth, space and character to an already inspired environment.

Putrajaya fulfills the Malaysian Government s goal of nurturing a caring and tolerant society and of ensuring continued growth in the Klang Valley by providing a more balanced development away from Kuala Lumpur, the latter still being the country s financial and commercial capital.

Putrajaya is transformed into a different dimension when night falls the entire city is bathed in light. Monumental structures like the Palace of Justice feature an amazing illuminated faÁade while the bridges overwhelm with their stark nightly elegance.

Cities are dynamic centres of creativity, commerce and culture but these benefits are often undercut by environmental problems and housing shortages. Putrajaya was designed with these challenges in mind. It provides a glimpse into how urban settlements of the 21st Century can have sustainable human development while preserving natural resources with the efficient use of technology and economic instruments.

Putrajaya emphasizes the preservation of its eco-system. It is built according to a series of comprehensive policies and guidelines on land use, and the provision of transportation, utilities, infrastructure, housing, public amenities, parks and gardens. It presents Malaysians with a new experience where nature and technology come together to benefit the community.

It s a socially healthy environment. Self-contained, and very much in touch with the needs of 21st Century living, Putrajaya mirrors good governance on the part of the Government. It reflects a political leadership that promotes good citizenship through informed participation, compassion and fairness. Citizen participation, of course, ensures greater transparency, greater accountability, and leads to public policies that better satisfy the people s needs.

Putrajaya is orderly. The core area of the city, which covers a total of over 1,000 hectares, is divided into five precincts (namely the Government Precinct, Commercial Precinct, Civic and Cultural Precinct, Mixed Development Precinct, and Sports and Recreational Precinct) linked by a distinctive 4.2km long boulevard.

The boulevard forms the spine of the Core Area and stretches across the central island, linking it with the rest of the city. The boulevard remains the main venue for national celebrations and cultural events.

The Peripheral Area of Putrajaya, on the other hand, comprises 15 precincts of various sizes, 12 of which make up residential neighbourhoods. The planning and design of Putrajaya s residential areas are intended to foster a sense of identity through the neighbourhood focal points, landscaping and the treatment of the public realm.

Putrajaya will ultimately provide for approximately 335,000 people in well-designed housing units equipped with modern amenities. Some 135,000 people will work in the city s sleek new office complexes.

Istana Melawati, the Palace of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, holds a commanding position perched atop the western slope of the hill circled by Persiaran Persekutuan in Precinct 1. Designed as a royal retreat for His Majesty the King and his family, as well as the venue for official and private functions, it has a panoramic view of the Putrajaya Lake, the Perdana Putra Building and Masjid Putra.

The palace borrows from different sources: from the old timber mosques found in states like Kelantan and Malacca to the classical court buildings of other regions in Southeast Asia. The square-based pyramidal roof forms a distinctive style and its utilization here as tower structures has further enhanced its strong architectural silhouette.

A popular feature of tropical Malay architecture that is incorporated is the "bumbung lima" or sometimes referred to as "bumbung perabung lima" (five-ridge roof) that is a symbolism of the prominent status of the buildings.

Further communicating rustic charm is the open-sided verandah that features as a very important interface between nature and the built environment in vernacular tropical architecture.

Another distinct embodiment of old-world charm that has been given a modern facelift is the Astaka Morocco located within Precinct 1 s Botanical Gardens.

Designed by Peremba Construction, the Astaka Morocco embraces the unique Moorish design typically found in Spain, with a composition of intricate design finishes, water features, arts and handicrafts.

The re-creation of a typical Moroccan pavilion is not simply a replica of the original, rather it is recreating the Moroccan ambience for the contemporary scene against the unique backdrop provided by Putrajaya.

Visitors to the place will be awed by the sight of gracefully arched columns, beamed ceilings and delicately carved wooden doors. They would appreciate these details even more upon knowing the intricate skills the artisans employed to achieve such results. Fabrications of different forms of artwork for the ceilings, pillars and walls were done in several villages in Morocco.

Craftsmen skilled in zellij (mosaic) architecture, woodwork and gypsum plaster were responsible for the final touches, including detailed and intricate geometric patterns on the building.

Putrajaya has refined the definition of a planned city to one that combines the joys of the countryside with urban comforts. This city of commanding sights stands on land formerly occupied by rubber and palm oil plantations. It has been built from scratch into what some refer to as urban utopia.

Architecturally, Putrajaya can be described as an indigenous city with a modern look. And reflecting a well-planned city, the buildings here are as visually interesting as they come, reflecting various origins.

Inspired by a hybrid of influences, from Middle Eastern architecture to a blend of local designs, they make interesting conversation pieces.

A few landmarks stand out with their awe-inspiring features, the Putra Mosque being one of them. A massive structure constructed in rose-tinted granite with a soaring minaret, it has the distinction of hosting a permanent exhibit of rare copies of the Holy Quran in the Al-Quran Manuscript Museum. There are also an auditorium, library, exhibition hall and the VIP Room Gallery. A large courtyard named Sahn has pride of place, in commemoration of the life of the Prophet.

Incorporating Islamic architecture from countries such as Turkestan, Kazakhstan and Morocco, the mosque s minaret is modeled after the Sheikh Oman Mosque in Baghdad. Every feature is meaningful including its five tiers representing the five pillars of Islam and its call to prayer.

The main entrance to the Putra Mosque is inspired by the Gates of Persia. Twelve columns support the main dome that measures 36m in diameter.

Overlooking the mosque is the 650-hectare man-made lake that covers more than one-tenth of Putrajaya s total area. The lake is the site for water sports such as kayaking. Gondola-like vessels add to its picturesque setting.

Nearby is Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Prime Minister. A veritable showcase, it is accessible to the public. Visitors have access to its bougainvillea-filled gardens, and certain parts of the sprawling residence such as a prayer chamber with walls bearing Islamic calligraphy, a guest lounge and a banquet hall bathed in light from chandeliers.

Sitting on a 40-acre site bearing Malay and Islamic architecture of the Mogul era, the residence drew more than one million visitors in three years.

Perdana Putra, the Prime Minister s Office Complex, is another breathtaking sight. The massive building, complete with a blue dome, is architecturally European overlaid by Malay and Islamic elements.

The diverse range of structures of Putrajaya includes steel bridges. The eight bridges in Putrajaya reflect how beauty can be found in steel and concrete. The bridges, namely Putra, Seri Bakti, Seri Bestari, Seri Setia, Seri Saujana, Seri Wawasan, Seri Perdana and Seri Gemilang, provide the necessary linkages between the core and the periphery areas of Putrajaya.

The Putra Bridge in particular stands out with its rich architecture. It connects the Government Precinct at its north and the Mixed Development Precinct at its south. Based on the Islamic design of the Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Turkey, the upper tier of the 280m bridge is used by normal traffic while the lower tier is designed as a service tunnel for a light train transit system and a pedestrian walkway.

Seri Perdana Bridge, on the other hand, is part of the protocol route. The 370m long bridge, Middle Eastern in terms of design, is built across the Putrajaya Lake, and has eight rest areas where visitors can enjoy the surrounding picturesque views that include the Prime Minister s Office Complex and the Putra Mosque.

Another spot of significance is the Putra Square, the focus of national celebrations and impor- tant events. A combination of 11, 13 and 14 star shapes represent the development of Malaysia from the independence of the Federation of Malaya in 1957 to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, as well as the inclusion of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. This perfect circle formed by the combination of patterns depicts synergy and reflects unity in the country.

Living up to its role of showcase development that is environment-friendly, Putrajaya has designated areas for conserving the environment in its natural state, and preserving the flora and fauna for educational and research purposes.

The 40 per cent of Putrajaya that is natural is made up of lush greenery and botanical gardens spread across a landscape enriched by large bodies of water and wetlands. A confluence of five rivers upstream becomes the main waterway that flows through the city area.

One water-featured centrepiece of Putrajaya is the 400-hectare artificial lake which is a breathtaking backdrop to the Prime Minister s residence. The lake is designed for multifunctional uses, including recreation, fishing, water sports and water tran-sport. This picturesque lake also separates the government and administrative precincts from the residential and recreational ones.

Canoeing, boating, kayaking and aqua-biking are some common recreational activities at the lake.

Like the wetlands, the lake is self-sustaining and boasts a balanced eco system a factor crucial to both the functioning and philosophy of the development of Putrajaya as a Garden City.

Enhancing the visual landscape of Putrajaya that of a balanced oasis of tranquility, complete with public parks and water bodies are the wetlands that form a crucial part of the green corridor . This tropical lushness links the parks in Putrajaya Taman Wetland, Taman Botani, Taman Jati, and Taman Putra Perdana to the surrounding forest reserves.

This bold attempt at incorporating artificial wetlands into the development of a township goes down in history as the first of its kind in the country, and one of the largest fully constructed freshwater wetlands in the tropics.

The construction of the Putrajaya wetlands at the upstream arms of Sungei Chua and Sungai Bisa began in March 1997 and was completed in August 1998. The wetlands are divided into six parts according to location: namely upper north, upper west, upper east, lower east, upper Bisa and central.

Those familiar with the concept of such water bodies would know that the green corridor is the life support system of the city s centerpiece the cleansing agent of the Putrajaya Lake. It creates a self-sustaining and balanced ecosystem for the lake by biologically filtering impurities.

Wetlands are a viable option for urban resource management, in place of impractical water bodies and open drains. Riverine basins in areas that have been created by man-made wetlands have cleaner water draining into the seas and rivers. Constructed wetlands in the Malaysian context are ideal for treatment of storm water, urban runoff and agriculture effluents.

The wetlands form a buffer and water flowing in is absorbed into the ground while nutrients and impurities are absorbed by vegetation to avoid the formation of algae.

With their biodiversity, wetlands enhance Putrajaya s potential as an ecotourist destination. The green corridor plays an important role in sustaining wildlife, especially migratory birds. The diversity of insects and plants draws birds.

Visitors commune with nature when they walk through Taman Wetland, the landscaped park that is the public entrance to the wonders of the wetlands.

The aesthetic aspect of the wetlands is easy enough to appreciate but importance is also placed on their function multiple roles ranging from pollution control to public education, research and ecotourism.

The construction of the wetland not only involved altering the riverine system from a narrow, flowing river into a calm marsh an open water area spanning some 80 hectares it called for great attention to detail to ensure there was enough diversity in terms of wetland plants. For instance, the dominant flora species in the Putrajaya wetlands is the tall reed, phragmites karka that aids filtration and sedimentation. Plants are grown to protect the banks from erosion and some 70 species were propagated and planted at the site.

Even before the completion of the wetlands, the fauna had begun to change, the most noticeable being the increase in the population of dragonflies and birds. The act of transforming plantation land oil palm and rubber to water-logged eco system has resulted in a radical change to the flora of the area. It is now characterized by indigenous species.

Good maintenance is needed to ensure the wetlands continue to effectively play their roles. As a transitional ecosystem, the health of the wetlands can be affected by occurrences in the catchment areas such as excessive siltation and other pollution-inducing activities. A lot of work is involved in monitoring water quality and habitat.

But the responsibility of maintenance does not fall on Putrajaya Holdings alone. The success of the fragile ecosystem also lies in the public understanding and awareness of it for conservation and preservation. The Nature Interpretation Centre at Taman Wetland has been set up for the purpose of educating the public on the value of both natural and constructed wetlands.

The centre, housed in a hexagon-shaped building reflecting Malaysia s rich heritage in design, is situated near a dam. Visitors here are advised on how to conduct themselves when enjoying the attractions of the wetlands for example, to walk only on designated tracks and boardwalks, and to avoid trampling on vegetation or picking plants. The centre focuses on research and compilation of data on water and plant studies. A pedestrian walkway and a rainproof area bring visitors closer to nature, the latter serving as an optimum breeding ground for greenery.

Taman Wetland is the perfect place to pursue recreational activities such as bird hikes, fitness walking and canoeing.

An 18m high lookout tower provides a vantage point from which one can enjoy a panoramic view of the wetlands.

A carpark and picnic areas in the vicinity are among the modern amenities that ensure a pleasant visit.

There are also riverbank parks mini wetlands in residential areas along the lakefront which are low-lying with various water depths. These parks feature simple structures and materials in terms of landscaping, as expected of an ecology element. Boardwalks link these parks to the wetlands.

Besides trekking, a favourite activity is enjoying the sights and sounds of Putrajaya s Botanical Gardens. Visitors are greeted by a giant mechanical Praying Mantis at the entrance to the gardens, which have some 700 plant species from over 90 countries in Asia and Africa. Spread over 93 hectares of former agricultural land, the garden is open daily to the public and has a visitor interactive centre.

A 170m-long bridge is also found here, its design allowing visitors the experience of walking through a rainforest canopy.

One can drive to the Prime Minister s office building and enjoy a nice walk on the cobbled pathways. Close by is a botanical garden boasting interactive exhibits. A walk on rocks around the pool emits the real sound of gravel-crunching echoing in the air.

Like the man who conceived it, Putrajaya is a city ahead of its time.

The idea to establish the country s first federal administrative centre away from Kuala Lumpur was mooted in the mid-80s. Tun Dr Mahathir was a champion of mega projects. Various sites were identified for the construction of Putrajaya and five were shortlisted. By June 1993, the site at Prang Besar was chosen over the rest, in view of its strategic location between Kuala Lumpur and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and as part of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC).

In 1996, it was formally decided that the place be called the Federal Government Administrative Centre of Putrajaya.

In support of the MSC, this area has a high-capacity, fully-digital telecommunications infrastructure designed to the highest international standards in capacity and reliability. Putrajaya will use multimedia technologies to become an electronics administrative centre. Interdepartmental communications and interactions with the public will be conducted via electronic and multimedia channels.

A key element for any 21st century city is an efficient transportation system. The transportation system for Putrajaya has been developed around an integrated system complemented by a well-designed and efficient network.

When constructed, Putrajaya Monorail will consist of two lines. One, 12km long with 17 stations, and the other, 16km long with six stations.

The system is to be mostly underground on the central island and elevated in the city s mainland areas.