Snøhetta’s Jesselton Docklands is set to redefine the waterfront of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, turning the city’s former port area into a vibrant civic, cultural, and transit hub. Strategically located near Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the development will feature a ferry and cruise terminal, enhancing connectivity to Sabah and the wider Southeast Asian region.
Spanning approximately 9 hectares, the masterplan is organized around a 732-meter central urban spine, connecting three main plots and creating walkable streets, pedestrian routes, and public plazas. The development will include residential towers ranging from 25 to 27 stories, mixed-use buildings, retail outlets, hospitality facilities, and cultural amenities.
The design draws inspiration from local fishing villages, incorporating organic urban forms to optimize wind flow and shading in the typhoon-prone tropical climate. Deep facades, natural ventilation, and integrated water management systems, including rain gardens, bioswales, and retention ponds, ensure climate resilience. Ecological patches introduce native wetland species, promoting biodiversity and creating microclimates within the site.
With smart working spaces, EV parking, landscaped promenades, and recreational areas, Jesselton Docklands blends modern infrastructure, ecological sustainability, and cultural heritage, setting a new benchmark for tropical urban waterfront developments in Southeast Asia. 
Source: Snohetta with additional information added by Glass Balkan
