Norliza Binti Hashim

Norliza Hashim is the Chief Executive of Urbanice Malaysia, a Centre of Excellence under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, where she leads the Malaysia SDG Cities programme, knowledge platforms, and community-based solutions for sustainable urban development. 

With more than 30 years of experience, she is recognised as a pioneer in urban and regional planning, championing sustainable cities, inclusive communities, and climate-responsive growth.

She began her career as the founding principal of AJM Planning and Urban Design Group (APUDG), spearheading transformative projects including the Putrajaya Master Plan, Iskandar Malaysia Comprehensive Development Plan, and low-carbon city frameworks. Her expertise has extended to over 12 countries across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

She has held leadership roles, including President of the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) and Secretary-General of EAROPH, advancing regional knowledge exchange on housing and planning. Currently, she chairs the Asia-Pacific Localisation Partnerships for Sustainable Cities (APLP-Cities) and serves on the SDSN Malaysia Leadership Council. She also played a pivotal role in Malaysia’s hosting of the 9th World Urban Forum (WUF9).

Her achievements have earned her multiple recognitions, including: Planner of the Year (2018), Malaysian Institute of Planners, BIM Professional Excellence Award, and Special Citation by UN-Habitat for contributions to global urban agendas

As Adjunct Professor at IIUM and UiTM, she mentors the next generation of urban leaders while continuing to bridge practice, policy, and partnerships to advance the sustainability agenda.