A DISCOVERY OF NEW KNOWLEDGE IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING: HEROES GET REMEMBERED BUT LEGENDS NEVER DIES!!!

WHAT...WHO...WHEN... WHY... IS UKM

Today UKM is recognised as one of four research universities in Malaysia. UKM has setup numerous research institutes to accelerate research in new areas. On the 28 April 2005, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, The Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched the Malaysia Genome Institute at UKM. The placement of the national institute in UKM signifies the research strength of the university in the area of genomics and molecular biology.

In this era of globalisation UKM's mission is to promote the national identity beyond the shores of the country. UKM, though a brainchild of nationalistic fervour and aspirations, is very international in outlook without sacrificing its cherished culture and values. UKM is proud to be ranked in the 2006 World's Top 200 Universities (Times Higher Education Supplement). The main theme of UKM's new image is "The National University with an International Reach".

The town and country planning activities officially started in Malaysia in 1921. The first town planning office was established in the Sultan Abdul Samad Secretariat Building, Kuala Lumpur and officially started operations on 18 January 1921. Among the earlier planning activities included the replanning and distribution of lots, the planning of housing and public house, road widening and straightening of Klang River. Town and country planning is a subject under List III i.e. the Concurrent list in the Federal Constitution, which is a joint responsibility of the Federal and State Governments. The Federal Department of Town and Country Planning is placed under the portfolio of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. The main role of the Department is to advise the Minister who is then answerable to the Parliament, for all matters pertaining to town and country planning in the country. The land use planning system in Peninsular Malaysia is governed by the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172).

Prior to the enactment of the TCP Act, local level land use planning and translation of policy into programmes was represented by the general ‘town plan’ which was prepared under the Town Boards Enactment Chapter 137 Part IX. This town plan was essentially a zoning and site development plan. The Act 172, an Act of Parliament, enacted in 1976 with the purpose of introducing a uniformed system of law and policy for town and country planning in Peninsular Malaysia. To accommodate the needs of the rapid changing environment, the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 has been amended for 3 times, i.e: -
· First amendment in 1993 (Act A866)
· Second amendment in 1995 (Act A933)
· Third amendment in 2001 (Act A1129)

Being the central land use planning agency in the country, the Federal Department Town and Country Planning has always taken the effort to further improve town and country planning service at the Federal, State and Local levels. All the planning policies and strategies formulated are interpreted into physical development to enhance efforts towards the creation of conducive, healthy, safe, beautiful and most importantly, building quality living environments and settlements for the population of the country.