Putrajaya is a thoroughly modern and vibrant city. It is a model township that has been constructed with detailed planning, innovative urban design and utmost concern for the preservation of the environment. Its beautifully landscaped roads and parks as well as modern buildings clearly reflect the duality of its theme - “Garden City, Intelligent City”. The vision to have a new Federal Government Administrative Centre to replace Kuala Lumpur emerged in the late 1980s. The relocation was to ensure that Kuala Lumpur will continue to develop as Malaysia’s principal business and financial centre. A lush 4,932-hectare forest area in southern Prang Besar in Selangor was identified and later renamed “Putrajaya” in honour of Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj, for his invaluable contributions to the nation.
Of the city’s total land area, about 38% is being developed into parks, lakes and wetlands while the remaining is reserved for government offices, commercial and residential areas, as well as public utilities and amenities. The centrepiece of the city is the 650 hectare man-made Putrajaya Lake, which serves as a climate moderator, Many have marveled at the water quality, which is graded Class 2B of the Interim National Water Quality Standards and is suitable for body contact, a requirement of all national and international water sports. Currently, the lake offers activities such as canoeing, boating, kayaking and aqua biking.
