SHAH ALAM, 23 June: Art Site 7 has been adopted as an option to change the atmosphere of back alleys, especially in commercial areas, to become comfortable and safe locations, as well as yet another new tourism product in Shah Alam.

With the concept of street art, Art Site 7 can be visited by visitors and could be used as a location for any beneficial activities, with murals, basking performances and handicraft sales.

The Shah Alam Mayor, Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan, said that the existence of the art site is to change the negative perception the society towards back alleys that are not managed to a positive perception of becoming a focal point of local tourists and those from abroad.

He said that it can also promote art and cultural activities, in addition to highlighting the creativity of the public, especially the younger generation, through art as well as to be a new tourism product in the city of Shah Alam.

“We have many back alleys in residential or commercial areas that are often considered disgusting. But since 2013, the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), through the clean zone programme, had courageously developed back alleys.

“We are upgrading Section 7 as a good and safe place, like Section 2, which was the starting point,” he said this when speaking at the Art Site 7 Opening Ceremony at Jalan Plumbum yesterday.

Mohd Jaafar said that Art Site 7 involves an area of 206 metres and 56 owners of business premises at the commercial centre.

He said that so far, they have received positive response from premises owners because the art site successfully beautified the back alleys and increased cleanliness.

“If we can do this at all 12 local authorities, we will be able to reduce the cost of solid waste management and public cleaning. In fact, the savings can be returned to the community in projects such as this.

“This area can be visited day and night. MBSA wants to prove that the paradigm of dirty back alleys can be changed,” he said.

Murals selected for the art site through the Art Site 7 contest put up four categories – 3D Painting, 3D Installation, Street Furniture, and Painting On Site – by offering cash prizes amounting to RM71,000.

The mural concept has a theme of Shah Alam, tourist attraction and greenery.

NS