MALAYSIA'S CITIES : GOOD URBAN GOVERNANCE + GOOD URBAN MANAGEMENT = GLOBALIZATION CITIES ?

Vision 2020 targets Malaysia to be developed nation economically, socially, politically and spiritually by year 2020. The manifestation and aspiration of Vision 2020 sets the framework for which development is to be steered. The nation is now in its second phase of development towards achieving the Vision. Rapid globalisation, progression in science and technology and the need to capitalise on knowledge-based economy requires the country to have a strong foundation in order to be competitive with other nations. In this context, the direction of development has to be planned and managed systematically and comprehensively to induce the country’s capacity to compete globally. The urban sector is an important catalyst towards national economic growth and a vital investment centre for the nation.

Apart from being a centre for social and recreation, urban sector plays an important role in attracting local and foreign investors in economic activities. Therefore, a township must be able to provide a good and competitive environment, complemented with all forms of activities within its territory. Peninsular Malaysia is expected to experience a rapid process of urbanisation by year 2020, with a majority of the population being urbanized. The increase in population means additional space is required for housing, public amenities and infrastructure. Hence, development to be carried out should be able to bring a good return whilst priority being given to environmental protection, through a balanced and optimal use of national resources.

Urbanisation issues being emphasized by the government, among other, are urban poverty the rising crime rate, solid waste disposal, housing for the poor, environmental protection, pollution etc. These issues need to be tackled holistically to ensure the role of urban centre as the engine of economic growth will be continuously maintained and enhanced. Cities need to be governed efficiently and effectively to promote a sustainable and conducive environment as a place of work and living. At the same time, the uniqueness of town should also the preserved to maintain its image and distinct identity.

Malaysia has successfully applied economic planning to guide the development of the country from an economy of agriculture and mining to a largely industrialised one. Now, with its sights set on attaining the economic level of a fully developed nation by 2020, the planning system must be made even more efficient and focused. It must ensure that every investment made in the country, whether public or private, yields not only a maximum returns but must directly contribute towards creating the desirable objective of a strong, modern, internationally competitive, technologically advanced, post-industrial economy. The country must focus on securing a credible share of the lead sectors of the globalised economy. It must make itself fit and conducive to these sectors. The country must also be fully aware of the enormous competition it faces in a region with rapidly expanding and modernising economies, all contending for the same pool of potential international investments.

The vision for ‘Kuala Lumpur - A World Class City’, encapsulates the ambition of Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP2020) to make Kuala Lumpur a city that will assume a major global and sub-global role for the benefits of all its communities, workers, visitors and investors. The KLSP emphasizes that the vision and goals of Kuala Lumpur has been formulated with the aims of creating a sustainable city with City Hall ensuring that the planning for Kuala Lumpur will strike a balance between physical, economic, social and environmental development.

It may appear logical to expect that only one large centre would have emerged in a small country like Peninsular Malaysia while other centres would have declined. However, Malaysia is fortunate in that a strong urban hierarchy had already been developed over many years in the colonial and post-colonial eras and this hierarchy, with strong local groups of entrepreneurs, continues to provide a sustainable geographical base for further industrialisation and economic modernisation. A pattern of polycentric interdependent urban centres has emerged with the Kuala Lumpur conurbation being the ‘advanced’ city supported by the George Town and Johor Bahru conurbations.