Jesselton Docklands reimagines Kota Kinabalu's former port as a tropical waterfront civic and cultural hub and regional gateway to Sabah and Southeast Asia. The master plan includes a ferry and cruise terminal near Kota Kinabalu International Airport and integrates infrastructure with local ecological and cultural context. Climate-adaptive measures address high winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding through stormwater systems, bioswales, rain gardens, deep local-material facades, and shaded pathways. Design references local fishing villages and Mount Kinabalu with water channels, stilted houses, and tower silhouettes. A marina, native wetland planting, distributed ecological patches, three main plots linked by a 732-meter central spine, and pedestrian-first routes support biodiversity and walkability.
Snøhetta has unveiled plans for Jesselton Docklands, a tropical waterfront master plan in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. The development reimagines the city's former port as a civic and cultural hub, strengthening its connection to the waterfront and positioning it as a new gateway to Sabah and the wider Southeast Asian region. Situated near Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the development includes a new ferry and cruise terminal, integrating infrastructure with the island's ecological and cultural context.
These include stormwater systems with bioswales and rain gardens, deep facades constructed from local materials, and shaded pathways that enhance comfort. The design references the city's surroundings, drawing inspiration from local fishing villages and Mount Kinabalu. Water channels and stilted houses recall traditional settlements, while residential and mixed-use towers form a skyline that echoes the mountain range. Two Gateway Buildings define the entrance to the development, marking its role as a new arrival point for the city.
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