Daniel Lim

In his role as the director of Urban Mechanics, Daniel Lim spearheads the placemaking practice at Think City. Over the past decade, he has been at the forefront of pioneering projects aimed at activating and enhancing the quality of public spaces. His efforts have also focused on fostering community engagement in urban development endeavors across Penang, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur. Beyond placemaking, he is a strong advocate for social inclusion and community involvement in culture-driven urban regeneration initiatives.

Daniel’s dedication revolves around ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds have equal access to the city, including quality public spaces, services, and the opportunity to actively shape their urban environment. Whether through initiatives like laneway improvements, community grants, or collaborative programs with local authorities, his ultimate goal is to promote inclusivity and sustainability through participatory processes.

Daniel embarked on his journey as a young executive in Think City’s founding team and has since played a pivotal role in expanding its placemaking practice, establishing Think City as synonymous with placemaking in Malaysia. His work has helped localize the global Placemaking movement through Think City programs and projects in various cities across the region, including Cebu and Hyderabad.

In addition to his role, Daniel holds an associate membership with the Malaysia Institute of Planners and is a founding committee member of Placemaking Malaysia. He is also a dedicated advocate for the global Placemaking X network.

Making an impact is about catalysing positive change—whether in an entire city, or for one single person. Any gesture, no matter how small, can make an impact as long as it starts with empathy and is executed with sincerity.