What’s a Northern Metropolis-like project doing in Malaysia? Lessons for Hong Kong?

Deep in the southern border zone of Johor, Malaysia, separated from Singapore by a narrow strait, a steady flow of commuters moves seamlessly between the two sovereign neighbours. Beyond the immediate checkpoints, a short 30-minute train ride connects visitors to regional hubs such as Kulai, where a vastly different dynamic comes into view – one defined by the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure. Inside YTL’s sprawling Green Data Centre Park, massive operational blocks stand beside...