Johor Bahru's response to transnational and national influences in the emerging Straits Mega-City Region

Abstract

A booming economy and a growing concern for sustainable development is driving many cities in the Asia-Pacific region to progressively redefine their social and physical landscape. A new Straits Transnational Urban Region is emerging as a result of two distinct dynamics: (1) the spill-over of Singapore investments into its surrounding region, and (2) the daily transnational travel of workers, visitors and school children from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, into Singapore. At the same time, the city of Johor Bahru is influenced by Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, through political, administrative and government funding structures. This study compares the linkages and exchanges between Johor Bahru and Singapore with those between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur. It will investigate the prevalent and potential impacts on Johor Bahru brought about by both transnational urbanisation and local forces emanating from the urban hierarchy within the national system.