Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas


Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, formerly known as Eco-Corridor Park, is a riverfront public park in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The park was inaugurated on 22 October 2017 in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's accession to the throne as the 29th and current Sultan of Brunei.

Background

The park was the result of the conceptualisation of the Sungai Kedayan Eco-Corridor, a project to revitalise the Kedayan River, which includes flood mitigation, environmental rehabilitation and development of public spaces. The Eco-Corridor project is part of the broader Bandar Seri Begawan Development Master Plan, which aims to 'revitalise' Bandar Seri Begawan, particularly in the downtown area, with further developments of commercial, residential and social, as well as service infrastructures.

History

The construction on the park began in January 2016 as part of the 10th National Development Plan under the Ministry of Development. The project was slated for completion in May 2018 but ended up being completed and opened 8 months before.
On 22 October 2017, the park was officially inaugurated by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee of his accession to the throne on 5 October 2017.

Description

Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas is a riverfront park located on a riverbank section along the Kedayan River leading to the mouth which flows into the Brunei River. The park features 6-metre wide promenade for pedestrian and cyclists, as well as a garden and green spaces for recreational activities.
There are eleven access points into the park: nine from the land and two from the river via jetties. One of the access points is through Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Pedestrian Bridge, which crosses the river and connects the park with the opposite area, Batu Satu.

Criticism

The park and the Eco-Corridor project in general, are developed in Kampong Ayer area, specifically in Mukim Sungai Kedayan which then constituted the kampong subdivisions under the mukim or subdistrict of Sungai Kedayan. The development inevitably caused the relocation of some 500 residents from the area and the entire mukim is now ceased to exist. The project has caused an increased concern on the vitality and even existence of the Kampong Ayer community, which has already been under threat from the dwindling population due to continuous emigration to the land over the years.