Norliza Hashim is the Chief Executive of URBANICE Malaysia, where she spearheads national and regional efforts in sustainable urban development, climate resilience, and inclusive city governance. A recognised thought leader in sustainability, she drives the Malaysia SDG Cities Programme, pioneering frameworks that integrate evidence-based planning, low-carbon strategies, and community-centred innovation. Her work strengthens the localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and New Urban Agenda across ASEAN cities and regions through cross-sector partnerships and applied policy innovation.
A professional Town Planner and founder of AJM Planning and Urban Design Group (APUDG), Norliza has over three decades of multidisciplinary experience shaping Malaysia’s national spatial and master plans. Her expertise spans sustainable urban policy, low-carbon transitions, climate adaptation, and resilient infrastructure planning. She led the development of Malaysia’s Low Carbon Cities Assessment Framework for the Ministry of Environment and Water and serves as Adviser to the Malaysian Institute of Planners’ Low Carbon Cities and Sustainability Centre.
She is Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Localisation Partnerships for Sustainable Cities (APLP-Cities), supporting governments in advancing sustainable and inclusive urban futures, and serves on the Leadership Council of SDSN Malaysia as well as Fellow of Institute MASA.
A passionate sustainability educator, Norliza is Adjunct Professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi MARA, guiding academic and institutional directions in sustainable planning and built environment futures.In recognition of her leadership, she was named Planner of the Year 2018, Top 10 National Women Entrepreneur 2014, Low Carbon City Champion 2022, and conferred Senior Technologist (MBOT) in 2024.