Preserving Kuala Lumpur’s pre-war commercial streets; and additional stories

For PropertyGuru’s news roundup, pre-war shophouses in Malaysia add a certain charm and depth to its cityscapes. In other reports, many Singaporeans subscribe to the belief that property prices can only go up – it it true or a mere myth? Lastly, residents can easily find calm places in Dubai where one can enjoy bird watching, take incredible pictures of nature, or simply tap into a tranquil and relaxed state of mind.

Preserving Kuala Lumpur’s pre-war commercial streets

Pre-war shophouses in Malaysia add a certain charm and depth to its cityscapes, according to The Edge Malaysia. In Kuala Lumpur, many of them are concentrated around the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers, where the town is said to have started and grown in the mid-19th century as a trading post, spurred by tin mining. The pre-war shophouses in the capital city that we see today were built predominantly from the late 1800s to early 1900s, as the earlier structures that were built of wood and attap (thatch) were previously destroyed during a period of conflicts, fires, and floods. The structures that stand today are made of brick and tile and are situated in various sections of the town. Once the heart of Chinatown, Medan Pasar today has been pedestrianised and turned into a green square with the Art Deco clock tower, built in 1937, still standing.

Commentary: Will Singapore’s property prices always rise, or is that a myth?

Many people subscribe to the belief that property prices can only go up. It’s not hard to fathom why: Flash estimates show Housing and Development Board (HDB) resale prices surged 9.6 percent in 2024, almost double the 4.9 percent increase in 2023. The private housing market, while more subdued, still grew by 3.9 percent. The demand for resale HDB flats also remained strong, with transaction volumes increasing by 8.28 percent, totalling 27,889 sales. CNA reports that the government has intervened several times to prevent the resale HDB market from becoming overheated. Most recently in August 2024, the government tightened the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for HDB loans to 75 percent from 80 percent, reducing the maximum amount that home buyers can borrow from HDB.

Relax and unwind at these peaceful places in Dubai

Everyone has their idea of relaxing and unwinding, especially when living in a city that can be heavy on the hustle and bustle. Even a small break from the daily grind can help recharge your batteries and those who reside in Dubai are incredibly blessed in this regard. Apart from dream shopping destinations and extravagant nightlife, residents can easily find calm places in Dubai. There are many spots where you can enjoy bird watching, take incredible pictures of nature, or simply tap into a tranquil and relaxed state of mind. If you’re searching for quaint spots to find a small moment of tranquillity, MyBayut presents your best options.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].