A MICROSITE BY THE INSTITUTE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS MALAYSIA (ILAM)
The NBS Asia Conference, organised by the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM), brings together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from across Asia to explore Nature-based Solutions for resilient cities, thriving communities, and sustainable futures. This regional platform fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovative approaches to address shared environmental challenges.
Conference
Date: 5 OCTOBER 2026 (Mon)
Venue: Auditorium Bandaraya, Menara DBKL 1, Kuala Lumpur
Time: 8:30am until 6:00pm
CPD: 08
Master Class
Date: 6-7 OCTOBER 2026 (Tue-Wed) - Optional
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Library, Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur
Time: 10:00am until 6:00pm
CPD: 12
8:30am
Registration & Light Breakfast
9:15am
Setting the Tone
An opening conversation introducing the day’s conference blocks, key themes and intended outcomes. The hosts outline what
participants can expect from each session, connecting the
discussions ahead and setting a shared direction for the day.
9:30am
Feature Talk 1
Stop Guessing, Start Measuring
LAr. Khariza Abd Khalid / Malaysia
A case for hard data over intuition, showing how measurable NbS performance at the developer scale can de-risk investment and strengthen decision-making.
10:10am
Sharing Session 1
Scaling Nature-Based Solutions in India:
From Sponge Parks to Climate-Resilient Cities
Manushi Jain / India
An exploration of how a sponge-city model is being scaled across Indian cities to build climate resilience at the urban and high-rise level, turning water management into a tool for national-scale adaptation.
10:40am
Sharing Session 2
Nature Keeps the Score
Dr. Yazid Ninsalam / Australia
A site analysis framework that lets ecological performance, rather than assumptions, guide design decisions from the earliest stages
of a project.
11:10am
Feature Talk 2
ProveIt: Water & Stormwater Management
Prof. Dato' Dr Nor Azazi Zakaria / Malaysia
A session connecting research and policy to show how evidence-based frameworks can strengthen water and stormwater management systems at scale.
11:50am
Sharing Session 3
20 Years On: The Putrajaya Lake & Wetland Story
Pn. Normaliza Noordin / Malaysia
A twenty-year retrospective on the Putrajaya Lake & Wetland system, offering a landmark case study in long-term NbS performance and the lessons it holds for future projects.
12:20pm
Sharing Session 4
Designing with Nature
Chum Jia Xin / Singapore
Practice-based insights from a renowned firm on integrating ecological design principles into large-scale professional work.
12:50pm - 1:50pm
Lunch Break / Prayer
1:50pm
Feature Talk 3
Hong Kong’s NbS Guidelines
Paul Chan / Hong Kong
An insider look at Hong Kong’s NbS guidelines, exploring how
policy frameworks are shaping green-blue infrastructure practice in one of Asia’s densest cities.
2:30pm
Sharing Session 5
Where the Forest Meets the Tide
Dr. Ahmad Aldrie Amir / Malaysia
An examination of the ecological dynamics where terrestrial and coastal ecosystems intersect, and what this means for species-sensitive design.
3:00pm
Sharing Session 6
Beyond Trees and Greenery
LAr. Dr. Sabarudin Buang / Malaysia
A look past the obvious benefits of trees and greenery to reveal the fuller range of ecological value that everyday landscape practice can deliver.
3:30pm
Documentary Showcase
How Sponge Cities Can Fix Urban Flooding
Short Break
4:00pm
Arrival of Guest of Honour
Yang Mulia Datin Paduka Seri
Afzaa Fadini Binti Dato’ Abdul Aziz
YB Puan Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan
Minister In The Prime Minister’s Department
(Federal Territories)
YBhg. Datuk Seri Tpr Fadlun Bin Mak Ujud
Mayor Of Kuala Lumpur / ILAM Honorary Member
• National Anthem: Negaraku
• DOA Recitation
4:10pm
Keynote Address 1
Nature Wrote the Brief
Dr. Anuj Jain / Singapore
An exploration of biomimicry that flips the conventional design process, letting natural systems rather than human intent alone define the design brief.
4:50pm
Keynote Address 2
From Sponge City to Sponge Planet
Wang Dong/ China
The evolution of China’s Sponge City movement into a planetary-scale ambition, reimagining stormwater and urban water resilience as a global design imperative.
5:30pm
MOU Signing Ceremony
ILAM x Think City
• Gift Presentation
• Photography Session
5:40pm
Special Remarks
Nature is Not a Cost
Dato' Hamdan Abdul Majeed / Malaysia
The economic implications of climate change, and why financing adaptation is an investment in resilient, liveable cities rather than a cost to be minimised.
6:00pm
Video Showcase
Reimagining Malaysia Through Nature-based Solutions
President Speech
Assoc. Prof. LAr. Dr. Nor Atiah Ismail
ILAM President
IFLA Asia Pacific
Climate Change and Biodiversity (CHAIR)
Minister Speech / Closing Remarks
YB Puan Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
(Federal Territories)
Gift Presentation
6:30pm
End of Programme / Tea Break
Scan the QR Code
or Click HERE
Day 1 (6 October 2026) - Tuesday
10:00am
Master Class 1
Biomimicry in Landscape Design
Dr. Anuj Jain / BioSEA, Singapore
Discover how nature’s forms, systems and processes can inspire innovative, resilient and regenerative approaches to landscape design.
11:30am
Master Class 2
Climate Data Analysis for Site Design
Dr. Yazid Ninsalam / RMIT, Australia
Learn how climate data can inform site planning and support responsive, comfortable and climate-resilient design solutions.
1:00pm
Lunch Break
2:00pm
Depart for Site Visit
(Ayer Panas Retention Pond & Sungai Bunus River Corridor)
Explore a river corridor and stormwater retention pond within a green space planned as a future green lung and recreational park in Kuala Lumpur. Participants will observe the site and its surroundings, gathering information to develop Nature-based Solutions during the second-day master class.
6:00pm
End of Day 1
Day 2 (7 October 2026) - Wednesday
10:00am
Master Class 3
River Corridor Design for Flash Flood Resilience
Wang Dong / Turenscape, China
Explore Nature-based design strategies for restoring river corridors, managing stormwater and strengthening resilience against flash floods.
12:00am
Group Work
Participants will work collaboratively to apply the knowledge gained and develop practical Nature-based Solutions for a selected site challenge.
1:00pm
Lunch Break
3:00pm
Group Presentation
Each group will present its proposed solutions, exchange ideas and receive constructive feedback from the master class experts.
6:00pm
End of Master Class
Scan the QR Code
or Click HERE
