An Introduction to Wangsa Maju

Wangsa Maju

Introduction

Surrounded by Setapak, Wangsa Maju is a major township in Kuala Lumpur. It was part of the Setapak rubber estates situated north of Kuala Lumpur, from the 1900s to 1980s, until the township was formed in 1984. It is now one of the largest townships in Kuala Lumpur, coming after Bandar Tun Razak and Bandar Tasik Selatan in Cheras. Wangsa Maju is comprised of many sections, namely Section 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 10.

Residential Areas

There are mixed developments in Wangsa Maju, where low-cost to medium-cost housing are available, along with some fairly-higher priced properties. Some examples of residential areas in Wangsa Maju are Wangsa Melawati, Desa Setapak, Taman Sri Rampai, Taman Bunga Raya, Taman Seri Rampai, Villa Wangsamas and Riana Green East KL.

Transportation

There is a Wangsa Maju LRT station that is part of the Kelana Jaya line, (formerly known as PUTRA). This LRT station is located nearby the Jusco Wangsa Maju outlet. There is also a bus hub at the LRT station with bus services to destinations within the Wangsa Maju vicinity. For instance, Taman Melati LRT station, Jalan Genting Kelang, Taman Melawati, Taman Permata, Ampang Point and Ukay Perdana.

Facilities and Amenities

Among the educational institutions in Wangsa Maju are Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC), University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA).

There are Smile Hotel and Smart Hotel for overnight accommodation, as well as the Wangsa Maju police station in the Wangsa Maju neighbourhood.

For local residents who need to do their grocery shopping or get the things they need, they can conveniently drop by Jusco Wangsa Maju (previously known as the Alpha Angle Mall), Carrefour Wangsa Maju and Giant Taman Permata.

Local Attractions

Although there are not many fancy local attractions around, Wangsa Maju has its very own Wangsa Walk Mall, which has over 100 tenants and consists of a cinema, bowling alley, fitness centre, bookstore plus a variety of food and beverages outlets.

Located nearby the Wangsa Maju area, places to visit include Royal Selangor, Zoo Negara and Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, where families can spend their recreational time there together, picnicking or cycling around the lake garden.

Economy and Developments

The township – a joint venture project carried out by PGK Sdn Bhd and the City Hall – was built with mixed development which consisted of medium and high-rise condominiums, double-storey terrace houses, semi-detached houses, shops, offices and commercial complexes. This decade-long project resulted in today’s Section 1 (former low-cost flats) and Section 2 (medium-cost flats).

The boom came during the growth of the Malaysian Institute of Art and Tunku Abdul Rahman College in the mid-80s when students’ housing demands expanded beyond Taman Bunga Raya across the road to Section 2. By then, medium-cost terrace houses had been built by a Chinese developer in the current area of Taman Desa Setapak, where the Wangsa Maju LRT station is now located.

The then-Alpha Angle Mall took advantage of this boom, where its location at the perimeter of Wangsa Maju Section 1, across the road from Desa Setapak had enhanced the businesses in Section 1 and 2.

The growth of the township also prompted the establishment of government agencies, namely Wangsa Maju Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Internal Revenue Board (Income Tax) in the vicinity. View more