Why does Urby exist?

Over 1.9 Million Vacant Houses in Malaysia

Without occupancy or a willing buyer, many have been left in limbo. The longer they remain vacant, the higher the cost of maintenance—causing a cycle of dilapidation.

Before long, thriving, mature neighbourhoods begin to look less and less appealing—maintenance begins to slow, and old shops begin to fade away.

The neighbourhood's activity comes to a halt—and along with the house, are left behind.

Some of the vacant houses we've upcycled

Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur

Vacant: 5+ years

Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya

Vacant: 1 year

Gasing Indah, Petaling Jaya

Vacant: 3 months

Quality of life isn't negotiable

Driving to work shouldn't take almost an hour.

Public transport stations should be walkable.

And finding places to eat nearby, or a park to exercise, shouldn't just be an 'optional' perk.

Until now, Malaysians still find themselves struggling to find a place to call home, despite many vacant houses sitting in well-developed neighbourhoods—fearing they are beyond any restoration.

Upcycling matters

Through our intricate renovation process, homeowners are can access their essential urban while healing the neighbourhood around them by:

Reducing Carbon Emissions

Circumventing the environmental costs of having to construct new residential buildings

Revitalizing the Neighbourhood

Increased population in the neighbourhood results in higher economic activity, incentivizing further development of essential services and general amenities that improve livelihood

Building better spaces for people

Every neighbourhood has something special—whether its Petaling Jaya's cafe scene, Old Klang Road's morning markets, or Kepong's variety of Bak Kut Teh.

In other words, neighbourhoods are central to keeping daily amenities within reach.

Because every city is connected, improving one creates a dynamic ripple effect—activity booms from one neighbourhood to another.

Thus, helping other neighbourhoods means helping yours to thrive—after all, no one remains rooted to a single neighbourhood.

It's about Community

Urby's mission isn't made possible only through data and numbers—neighbourhoods are fueled by people, and Urby exists to help them participate in the movement.

Investing isn't the only way to make a difference.

Conversations can strengthen the community—and you can help us by talking about our houses on Urby, and the neighbourhoods they represent.

Who We Are

UrbanMetry

Our data engine

UrbanMetry collects and analyses city data across Malaysia to help banks, developers, and policymakers make smarter decisions.

This same data guides UrbanWave and Urby in identifying undervalued houses with strong appreciation potential — so every renovation and investment starts with evidence, not guesswork.

UrbanWave

Our transformation partner

UrbanWave acquires and renovates the houses featured on Urby.

Each property is carefully restored — plumbing fixed, structures strengthened, layouts modernised — so they’re ready for families to call home again.

Urby users can then buy shares of these houses and earn when they’re sold or co-owned with families.

Koh Cha-Ly

CEO and Founder

Carrying city planning experience from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, Cha-Ly founded Urbanmetry—Malaysia’s leading city data company—in an effort to create more efficient and sustainable cities that would reduce carbon emissions.

Soon, she discovered that property data did not have to be limited to large-scale corporations—there were opportunities to be found among everyday houses and the people who live in them.

That’s how UrbanWave and Urby were born — to bridge data, investment, and impact.

We're not just fixing houses

We're restoring hope, preserving neighbourhoods, and helping everyday Malaysians invest in a better city.