Life, connected: Joseph Lau

Desa ParkCity is often regarded as one of Kuala Lumpur’s most forward-thinking master-planned communities. The township has been recognized for its strong property performance and the way it shapes everyday living through thoughtful urban planning, connectivity and community-building.

Built on a former quarry in Kepong, Desa ParkCity has evolved into a mature, highly livable neighborhood. Here, homes and amenities are intentionally designed with green spaces, educational and healthcare facilities and other commercial properties. All have been carefully integrated to create a holistic living environment.

And that’s perfectly in line with ParkCity Group CEO Joseph Lau’s vision for his company’s portfolio: townships with long-term relevance and enduring value. As Lau tells The CEO Magazine, property development has never been simply about buildings.

"It’s ultimately about people," he says. "People are choosing how they want to live, the kind of environment they want for their families and whether a community can continue to grow with them over time."

That philosophy can be found deeply ingrained in the company’s townships across Malaysia and Vietnam. Desa ParkCity possibly finds the Group’s methodology at its zenith, with just as much to offer families of tomorrow and beyond as those of today.

Landscaped parks, pedestrian-friendly walkways and community spaces were intentionally planned to encourage interaction, accessibility and a stronger sense of belonging. The township’s Central Park and waterfront retail areas are particularly essential components in bringing the community together.

"When planning a township, we think beyond the physical product," Lau says. "We think about how communities will thrive, how connectivity will evolve, how public spaces will be used and whether the environment will remain relevant many years into the future."

That approach has shaped many of ParkCity Group’s defining characteristics – walkability, integrated greenery, community-focused spaces and carefully planned urban connectivity.

Long before sustainability and placemaking became common industry themes, these principles had already been embedded within the Group’s design vision.

"In Malaysia’s climate, shaded walkways, greenery and comfortable public spaces make a meaningful difference to how people experience a township," Lau says.

"These are practical considerations, not simply cosmetic ones, that improve everyday quality of life."

Leadership through long-term thinking

Prior to joining ParkCity Group, Lau spent 15 years with IKEA and IKANO across South-East Asia, where he held several senior leadership roles involving retail operations, commercial development and regional expansion. The experience significantly shaped his way of thinking about consumer behavior, community-centric environments and the use of space.

"At IKEA, there was always a strong focus on creating a better everyday life for people," he says. "Retail enhances your observational skills – how people move, what makes them comfortable and the way design influences behavior all come sharply into focus."

Those observations have been valuable for Lau’s understanding of how people experience public spaces and township planning. These are matters of long-term stewardship, he says, rather than purely transactional development.

"Communities can’t be built overnight," he says. "You need consistency, patience and a commitment to maintaining standards over time. People experience communities differently at different stages of life. A well-planned township needs to support that diversity of lifestyles and needs."

As the company expands across the region, adapting to local lifestyles and cultural expectations has become increasingly important.

"You can’t assume what works in Kuala Lumpur will work in Hanoi," he says. "Different cities have different rhythms and lifestyles. You need to understand how people actually live."

However, Lau also understands certain principles remain universal.

"Across different markets, people consistently value convenience, greenery, safety, accessibility and connectivity," he says. "The challenge is bringing these elements together in a way that feels natural to each community."

Building on the ParkCity model

ParkCity Group’s experience in Vietnam further refined its understanding of placemaking and integrated township development, particularly through ParkCity Hanoi.

These experiences are now influencing the next phase of its expansion in Selangor, including developments such as ParkCity Damansara in Petaling Jaya and ParkCity Botanika in Puchong South.

ParkCity Damansara in particular is viewed as the evolution of the Desa ParkCity model, drawing from the Group’s recent experience while responding to local needs.

Meanwhile, ParkCity Botanika reflects the Group’s continued emphasis on community-focused planning. Conceived as a ‘township in a park’, the development integrated green corridors, pedestrian networks and public spaces as central components of the masterplan.

"People today increasingly value more holistic living environments," Lau says. "They want convenience, accessibility and meaningful spaces where communities can come together."

To aid in this mission, the company has the support of suppliers and partners including local construction firms Berlateh Construction, Crest Builder and Grand Dynamic Builders. The latter’s field of expertise – sustainable technologies – has been a great asset in recent years.

"Sometimes, you don’t want standard building materials. A client may want this or that and you need a wide range of partners to be able to source those," Lau says.

"We enjoy working with partners long-term, but are there new partners? Of course, because it’s always about adding value for the customers. So we look for partners with the right mindset."

The future of livable communities

Partnering with the right companies is also helping ParkCity Group deliver in terms of sustainability, which Lau believes is no longer optional in township development.

"Sustainability today is closely linked to how people want to live," he says. "Environmental comfort, greenery, mobility and long-term livability all contribute to healthier communities.

Across its developments, Lau insists landscape planning continues to play an important role in improving environmental quality and enhancing the township experience.

"When nature is thoughtfully integrated into a community, people genuinely feel the difference in everyday living," he says.

It’s a reflection of the simple principle which Lau believes is at the heart of the future of property development: understanding people.

"You’re shaping environments people interact with every day," he says. "That responsibility should never be taken lightly."