BRIEFING TO SARAWAK'S LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON A REVIEW STUDY ON MURNINET, MURNInets PORTAL AND HAPPINESS INDEX STUDY IN KUCHING 15 DEC 2011.

EFFICIENT URBAN GOVERNANCE: A WAY FORWARD TO HUMAN WELL-BEING

Urban governance is a very important factor for economic development, political and social. Things can be done through the role of central government, state and local. At the same time, this role is formed as a result of the cooperation of governments, private sector and NGOs to ensure that development in the economic, political, and social security. Progressive city does not only focus to economic development alone, but also good governance factors contribute to the smooth progress of development in a country and a social focal point. To establish good governance are several methods used, the involvement of all, responsible, honest, efficient, fair, Effective & Efficient, and systems in accordance with the rules. For example, Malaysia introduced the 9 th Malaysia plan that outlines several methods for establishing good governance, the national integrity plan that led to five things that anti-corruption, improve the delivery of information systems, corporate governance & business ethic, the family institution and the quality of life.

The 9th and 10th Malaysia Plan is the basis of the federal government can act to change the management system of governance that will be running smoothly and is believed by stakeholders. Therefore, we can see not only economic development but through a process of urban governance is actually able to develop a city and a focal point for socializing. This is due to a planned governance will have a positive impact in the development of some sectors for economic growth, such as industrial, telecommunications, shopping malls, education, health, business, administrative and transportation center. This is an important facility to help improve the city's economic growth and help improve the quality of life.

The nearest example we can see is the city of Kuala Lumpur with a variety of equipment and facilities of a sophisticated system established by the local government for social focus to meet their needs and requirements. Indirectly when upgrading occurs, then we will find that the entry or migration of the population will increase because of the career opportunities and facilities for their comfort and quality, the role of central government policy managed by the state and implemented by local governments. If we look at career opportunities is one form that can create the culture and lifestyles of our diverse communities. When development in a town that implemented by local governments with the developer of the project, it will be of cultural assimilation. Income of the population will increase and this can change their lifestyles. Indirectly, it can help in the economic growth of a city.

In the aspects of health, the role of the federal government to ensure a lifetime of life through the RMK-9 has to be more proactive as a result of cooperation of the private sector and NGOs. Government has ensured that health law and medical facility equipment such as screening for the disease, early diagnosis. Increase preventive vaccines for diseases such as influenza B, measles and Rubella. These plan also provides provisions for adding new hospitals and renovation and upgrading of existing hospitals. This role is highlighted in order to benefit the city's drive towards a more robust economic growth on the efforts of good health governance in order to produce a community with high quality and standard of living can contribute to accelerate the growth of the urban economy.

The development of good health will form the entry and social focus of the city has the ability level of comprehensive health services. The place is in the Crown Medical Center Hospital of focus people in Indonesia, Singapore and domestic use such services. Melaka's economic growth is also based on the development of the role of health and good governance. Development of education in a city also influence factors of good governance and the social focal point. This can be seen around town in Kuala Lumpur, which has 100 centers of higher education and private sectors. Higher education ministry's policy role that Malaysia would like to upgrade the university to the University of Premier and International by bringing in foreign students from foreign countries such as Yemeni, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, China, Laos and Japan. University located in the center of Kuala Lumpur has received a lot of foreigners to improve the quality of education at the international level.

The role of local authorities such as City Hall through higher economic growth through the "Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, identified that the mall has a good potential to the economic and social growth as the standard of living of the rising. City Hall has given a number of shopping division is the main shopping precinct such as KLCC, Berjaya Times Square, Pavilion, Mid Valley, Garden City and the River Fund. The main sub areas such as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit Road, Petaling Jaya and Jalan Pasar. This growth will be the center of local and international social growth in the form of recreation and entertainment and a wide range of job opportunities. Good urban governance, the role of all parties such as government, private sector and NGOs is needed to further promote economic and social growth that a city can be developed rapidly in terms of infrastructure, education, health, and tourism.

Urban Governance & Disabled People

In the aspect of public transport system is actually able to ensure the efficient activity in the country. Public transport is also the heart of the development of a country. If we look at developed countries like Japan and the United States, we can see how a well-developed efficient public transportation system. See also how our public transport system developed today than ten years ago. Now in Malaysia there is the Light Transportation System (LRT) and Monorail a lot of help in our public transport services today. However , what means all this progress should not be shared with those who are not able to enjoy it.

The group that is none other than the class of persons with disabilities (PWDs). According to the Disabled Persons Act 2007, "Persons with Disabilities" (disabled) means "People who have long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society". According to statistics provided by the Department of Social Welfare of the number of registered people with disabilities has increased by 12 percent in 2007 (220.250 people) compared to 2006 (197.519 people).

Groups of disabled people in wheelchairs, was a priority in public transport facilities. They needed a mechanism that can move as well as in relation to the outside world and the public. Imagine if they did not have family members who were willing to take them out, can they move or enjoy the world. Can they ride the LRT or commuter our cutting-edge? We are air-conditioned bus with comfortable seats that are hovering in the city and grand taxis either normal or a luxury? If they use public transport, most likely they are injured and may be dangerous for their lives or they may not be used directly due to obstruction from the use of a wheelchair.

There is no doubt that there are efforts from companies that provide public transport facilities to ensure that disabled-friendly services. There are buses that putting a wheel chair to show they are disabled-friendly buses. But today we can see that it is not perfect, marks his wheelchair just decorative. However, good faith efforts and the bus companies should be emulated, but its effectiveness should be reviewed. Is it because our society or the operators themselves? However, efforts should be made step by step. when viewed between public transport services in our country and countries like the United States, is still too much effort should be enhanced.

Social Welfare Department has always encouraged transport companies to provide fare concessions to people with disabilities. To date there are several transportation companies have been providing incentives to encourage transport to disabled people. Among them are Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to provide low-cost up to 50% for domestic flights, Malayan Railway (KTM) to provide concessionary fares up to 50% of all trips for all classes, transnational bus company provides 50% of concession fares and Rapid KL provides free air fares to the disabled.

According to a study conducted by the Department of Social Welfare, public transport is urgently needed by the disabled is a public vehicle that could deliver them from the point of origin to destination, for example taxi service can help them socialize and work. In 2002 there were 72.361 of taxis in Malaysia.

Unfortunately most of the taxis in our country is not the type of disabled-friendly. Sometimes they do not want to take disabled passengers because it is inconvenient but they are also a handful of to taxi driver who was kind enough to take wheelchair clients. Sometimes because of the taxi they use Proton Iswara example cause they do not want passengers in a wheelchair because of boot capacity. If the view is now different types and forms of taxis we see in the streets. Luxury cars are also made by some of the taxi fare was less than the normal taxi, with reasons for a convenient to passengers.

Unfortunately compared to the amount of money invested to buy luxury cars for executive taxi is more appropriate if the money used to buy or renovate a normal taxi wheelchair accessible (wheelchair Accessible Taxi) as found in the United Kingdom and the United States. Concerns of the taxi company operator will help the disabled who use wheelchairs. In addition there are some taxi drivers who feel the disabled is difficult. This behavior may occur due to lack of concern by the public transport operators themselves. This depends on the attitude of the driver that the passenger feels very cumbersome wheelchair for example that disabled people in wheelchairs do need others to help them enter into the wheelchair into the boot of their car..

But some, taxi drivers felt the disabled will only cause problems for them. There is also a wheelchair passenger feels inconvenience and delay. Most taxi drivers racing against time. For those with more time they have, the more passengers they can take. Particularly in the Klang Valley, the majority of taxi use NGV as fuel gas for cheaper than petrol. The gas tank or container installed in the car bonnet, given the relatively large size of the tank so there is no space to include a wheelchair.

In an effort to help the disabled, the public transport operators and government must work together in a effort to help those less fortunate this. Besides, it also can make our country a country concerned and caring. Consequently, the operators also need to see that public transport services as a social responsibility, not only concerned with bottom-line profitability. As members of society do we need to understand the needs of disabled people. It is not appropriate for us to isolate and segregate them because of the lack of it has. There are also some less responsible members of society and selfish to use the facilities provided for disabled people, for example car parks, toilets and seating.

For example, the CEO of AirAsia, which Dato'Tony Fernandes he improve aviation services after receiving protests from disabled associations due to AirAsia's services are not disabled-friendly. In a very short time he was improving services to disabled-friendly AirAsia despite huge cost. This attitude should be an example to us all. This shows a view of disabled people taken care of and respected even if there is a lack in them. Be a responsible member of society help those with disabilities. Together we build towards the social well-being of society.

CORE 6: EFFECTIVE URBAN GOVERNANCE UNDER NATIONAL URBANIZATION POLICY (NUP)

NUP 27

INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BE STRENGTHENED TO IMPLEMENT THE URBAN ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE

a. Restructure the institutions of urban management organizations

b. Increasing employment in all levels of local authorities include improving the technical staff of the management team and professionals

c. Referring to the benchmark and adjust the developed countries in order to determine the number of employment professionals

d. Expanding services at the local government to enable job rotation, more opportunities for promotion and transfer of officers of local authorities in the same country

e. Review and coordinate the relevant legislation the administration and urban management

f. Entered the planning of a comprehensive human resource development, including job rotation, 'job enrichment', promotion opportunities and provide ongoing training to enhance the capacity, capability and staff expertise

g. Establish a special training institutions for urban management

h. Provide leadership and management of a dynamic, robust and good performance capabilities

i. Identify new revenue sources and improve financial management

j. Implement asset management more efficient and systematic manner to ensure quality of service and extend the life span of equipment

k. Streamline regulations and procedures related to planning approval and land use

l. Expedite approval of development

m. Using information and communications technology to improve management quality and improving the provision of services by implementing electronic systems such as e-licensing ',' e-assessment ',' e-Submission 'and

n. aking innovative approaches and methods to improve the effectiveness of the procedure, control is more flexible, broader community participation and use of latest technology

NUP 28

THE PRACTICE OF GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE TO PROMOTE AN OPEN MANAGEMENT CULTURE, INTEGRITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

a. Applying the principles of corporate governance in the administration

b. Implement programs Islam Hadhari

c. National Integrity Plan (PIN)

d. Reduce bureaucracy

e. Running an efficient and strict monitoring

f. Improve delivery systems

g. Implementing effective leadership and management

h. Applying transparency

i. Managing finance and resources wisely

j. Implement 'Key Performance Indicators'

k. Prepare and adopt a code of city governance for all local authorities

l. Practicing management and work culture based on knowledge

m. mproving institutions directly involved in community activities

NUP 29
ENCOURAGED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING AND URBAN GOVERNANCE

a. Implement the "Local Agenda 21" in the process of preparing policies, strategies and action plans of sustainable development

b. Establish a division of the local authority for coordinating and managing programs to enhance participation of local communities

c. Ensure that all local authorities established the public relations unit

d. Federal and state governments provide funding for managing Comunity Involvement Program

e. Facilitate the public to obtain information relating to planning and urban governance

f. Increasing public awareness of the cultural aspects of design and maintenance

g. Encourage community participation, private and BBK in development planning and managing the urban environment

h. JKKK move and encourage the formation of residents' associations and Neighbourhood Watch

i. Encourage private companies and NGOs to contribute to the development of community facilities

NUP 30

USE OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF URBAN SERVICES

a. Develop and use innovative technology in the planning, provision of infrastructure and utilities, and management of urban services

b. Using information and communication technology efficiently to enhance the performance of administrative services and information dissemination to the public

c. Adopt technologies that reduce waste generation

d. Promoting environmentally friendly building with the concept of 'green building' and the efficient use of energy

e. Using renewable energy resources efficiently

NATIONAL URBANISATION POLICY : TOWARDS MALAYSIA URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

Introduction

The necessity of preparing the National Urbanisation Policy was emphasised in the 8th and 9th Malaysia Plans. Its formulation is crucial to improve the effectiveness of urban service quality to create safe, systematic, modern and attractive cities. Provisions of Part IIB, Section 6B (3) of the Town and Country Planning Act (Act 172) which was amended in 2001 (Act A1129) also stated the need for the Director-General of Town and Country Planning to consider the national urbanisation policy or other similar policies in preparing the draft of the National Physical Plan.

The National Urbanisation Policy requires an action plan to execute the formulated policies. The Director-General of the Peninsular Malaysia Town and Country Planning Department is responsible for preparing and ensuring the implementation of the National Urbanisation Policy. The responsibility of implementing this policy must be shouldered together by various ministries, departments and agencies entrusted with urban planning, development and service management.

Collaboration is crucial to carry out measures which are the shared responsibility of the various ministries, departments and agencies. The agencies responsible for carrying out the policies and measures in the National Urbanisation Policy must convert the policies into their respective programmes and projects. The proposed programmes and projects will have financial implications which need to be absorbed by various implementing agencies and made the basis for the annual budget and the five-year Malaysia Plans. Monitoring of policy implementation and sufficient allocation are necessary to ensure the National Urbanisation Policy is effectively executed.

Philosophy

The formulation of urbanisation policies must be based on the philosophy of a peaceful city encompassing the following:

a. Generating economic growth for prosperity of the nation that can be shared and enjoyed by all

b. Providing quality urban services, public facilities, infrastructures and utilities for the comfort and well-being of the people

c. Emphasising on security

d. Ensuring the design and quality of urban fabric are founded on the local cultures

e. Focusing on environmental preservation and conservation

f. Promoting social development and national unity

g. Encouraging the residents’ involvement in the development of their respective communities through enhancing governance for greater efficiency and effectiveness

h. Eradicating urban poverty

i. Sensitivity and innovation where it concerns technological development and advancement

Aim

Urban development must be steered towards the creation of an environment that offers peaceful community living, which requires equilibrium in physical, economic, social and environmental development aspects. To achieve this, the formulation of the National Urbanisation Policy is based on the following objectives:

“To create a visionary city with a peaceful community and living environment through sustainable urban development”

Objectives

Based on the aim above, the following six objectives were identified:

a. To develop a planned, quality, progressive and sustainable city;

b. To develop and strengthen a competitive urban economy;

c. To create a conducive environment in order to encourage social development;

d. To eradicate urban poverty;

e. To strengthen the planning, implementation and monitoring system;

f. To strengthen urban management and administrative institutions

BRIEFING TO SABAH'S LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON A REVIEW STUDY ON MURNINET, MURNINETS PORTAL AND HAPPINESS INDEX STUDY AT KOTA KINABALU 30 NOV - 2 DEC 2011

HAPPINESS INDEX : A NEW METRIC OF HUMAN WELL-BEING

Are we happy with our quality of life? GDP seems to be growing, but most people feel that the quality of life has become a rat race.In 2008, just as the financial crisis deepened, French President Sarkozy asked Nobel laureate Joseph Stigliz to form the Commission on the Measure of Economic Performance and Social Progress, comprising well known social thinkers and philosophers, such as Indian Nobel laureates Amartya Sen and Kenneth Arrow, Turkish economist Kemal Dervis, former World Bank chief economist Francois Bourguignon and other leading Western professors to come up with fresh thinking on measuring the quality of life.

The commission report came out in late 2008, but its important conclusions and messages were perhaps overshadowed by the financial crisis. Nevertheless, as governments and companies prepare for the recovery, it is more timely than ever to think beyond GDP (gross domestic product), namely not the quantity of how much we produce or consume, but its quality.It is interesting that a French President has commissioned such a study, not the British, American or Japanese. The French don't have the macho precision engineering of the German car nor Japanese technical perfection, but you know a French car when you see one for its individualistic and sometimes idiosyncratic design, but more for its comfortable ride.You only have to look at the way Asia has rushed head long at full speed on pushing growth to realise that this may not be what the new middle class (and indeed everyone) would be caring about.

I was impressed when one senior Asian professional economist started to talk about beauty and happiness as one measure of economic aspiration.The Stiglitz Commission started with the premise that GDP has increasingly become an inadequate measure to gauge the human sense of well-being over time in respect of its economic, environmental, and social dimensions, particularly sustainability.Thus a new metric of human well-being should capture these dimensions economic and job security, health, education, personal and work environment, a sense of equality and respect, connectivity with family and friends, a pleasant natural environment, and physical security.

There is of course a whole generation who seems to care more and more about Chanel handbags, iPhones, Chateau Lafite and all the icons of material wealth. Others are going into yoga, qigong or religion.There is the digital generation who communicate to their parents through Facebook, Youtube and Twitter, rather than talking face to face.Social change is happening when governments shake when SMSes start flying with news of another piece of social agitation. But the bulk of Asian society is still struggling with making ends meet.

In many parts of Asia, we are struggling with crumbling social infrastructure, overcrowding, environmental pollution and social disquiet.Social injustice is being expressed even in very wealthy and successful Asian cities.This month, we were stunned by the random and violent shooting of politicians and the crowd in Arizona. All of a sudden, we are reminded that in addition to our material living standards, such as income, most of us care a lot about our personal and physical security. What can governments and civil societies do? The Stiglitz Report is a very useful reminder that we should begin by measuring what people care about, not just in terms of the quantity of production or consumption, but the quality of well-being.

The report reminds us that GDP is a very narrow concept and does not measure many qualitative issues that human beings care about.For example, most people feel that official statistics, such as CPI, do not reflect their own perception of inflation. The GDP as a concept does not measure or under-count what households and civil society produce. They certainly do not incorporate any measure of inequalities, since the average per capita GDP can disguise the sense of growing disparity.

Most of all, GDP statistics do not measure at all environmental degradation or the decay of physical infrastructure around us. As Asia is going through rapid changes in demographics, urbanisation and social change, it is not surprising that the metrics that we are using to measure our economic success or failure is not up-to-date. It is as if we are driving a car whose speedometer shows that we are accelerating at 70 miles per hour, but there is no indication that we may be going into a bad neighbourhood or that the car may be falling apart.

Indeed, if we focus on speed, we may neglect the direction that we are heading towards. Speed comes before a crash. Globalisation has created huge opportunities as well as threats. Governments need to appreciate that in the global competition for talent, people can easily walk with their feet. But they will not walk if they love the city or country-side they live in. We all want a sense of liveability clean air, good health, great culture, nice people, no fear of physical security.

Well-being is a sense of community that people care for each other, a feeling of being more equal and mutual respect.We should not see strangers as another mugger, nor a policeman as a person to be feared.We want good governance in our society, most of all a caring community that looks after the poor, the weak and the under-privileged. As governments struggle with how to deliver better governance, we need to begin with better measures of social well-being than GDP. Unfortunately, the Stiglitz Report is only a beginning, by pointing out the weaknesses of GDP; but it has not operationalised how we arrive at a better measure. Now that Asia has reached the head table, one Asian government or statesperson should take the leadership of chairing a roundtable of statistical experts to arrive at a better measure of social well-being than just GDP.

Source: The Star written by Andrew Sheng, Jan 2011

SEMINAR ON NATIONAL URBANISATION POLICY : EFFECTIVE URBAN GOVERNANCE 7 DECEMBER 2011

MY TASKS NEED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE DECEMBER 2011

‎1 down (MURNInets in K.Kinabalu) but 9 more to go.. before end Dec 2011. These will keep me busy but TQ believe and support me until I complete it. The complete tasks list need to be completed are :

a. Meeting of Department Corporate Strategic for Research and Development Division FDTCP at Hotel Impiana Morib on 4-6 Dec 2011. Paper need to be presented are The Modus Operandi for National MURNInets Operation Centre & Happiness Index Study for MURNInets;

b. Meeting of Planning and Development Committee, Ministry of Housing and Local Goverment at Putrjaya on 6 Dec 2011. Paper will be presented  A Review Study on MURNInet and MURNInets Portal.

c. Seminar National Urbanization Policy : Trust 6 Effective Urban Governance at Cititel Penang at 7 Dec 2011. The seminar organised by National Physical Planning Division, FDTCP. Paper will be presented  Effective Urban Governance towards City Competitiveness.

d. Meeting of Planning and Development Committee, Federal Department of Town and Coutry Planning at FDTCP on 14 Dec 2011. Paper will be presented Planning Guideline for Open Space and Recreation and Environmental Sensivite Area (ESA) for Coastal Area.

e. Briefing to Sarawak's Local Authorities on a. A Review Study on MURNInet, b. MURNInets Portal and; c. Happiness Index Study for MURNInes in Sarawak at Kuching 16 Dec 2011.

g. Seminar on National Sustainable Development Indicators at Economy Planning Unit (EPU), Putrajaya on 19 dec 2011. Paper will be presented  A Review Study on MURNInet

f. Hands-On Nvivo 9.2 for MSIA at Wisma UOA Damansara Jalan Dungun on 21-23 Dec 2011

h. SPSS Data Analysis for Happiness Index Study: Case Study Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The analysis  commence from 17 until 30 Dec 2011. The analysis will involve descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics are used to reveal patterns through the analysis of numeric data. Inferential statistics are used to draw conclusions and make predictions based on the analysis of numeric data.

 

MY BOOK REVIEW : A NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT NEVER CHANGES GENTRIFICATION, SOCIAL PRESERVATION, AND THE SEARCH FOR AUTHENTICITY

Author : Japonica Brown-Saracino
A Neighbourhood that Never Changes : Gentrification, Social Preservation, and the Search for  Authenticity
Year of Publication: February 2010

Place of Publication: Chicago, USA

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Pages: 352

ISBN: 9780226076638

Over the past several decades, numerous books and articles have appeared on the topic of gentrification. A Neighbourhood That Never Changes, however, breaks new ground by questioning the methods and assumptions of prior work in two important and refreshing ways.  This book starts with the story of Mary, a Portuguese-American resident of Portuguese-American resident of Provincetown, Massachusetts who feels she is being forced out of her job, home and social network by a wave of urban regeneration. This book paints a colorful portrait of how residents new and old, from wealthy to Portuguese fishermen, think about gentrification. This book looks at four different neighbourhoods, both urban and suburban, and argues for three types of gentrifiers: the pioneer, the social preservationist, and the social homesteader.

As page 99 reveals, the book primarily attends the term of social preservationists: gentrifiers who move to live near long-timers with whom they associate “authentic” community, and who work to preserve the local social ecology. For social preservationists, who like most gentrifiers tend to be affluent, a place’s value is contingent on the presence of certain long-timers. Page 99 details preservationists’ criticism of their own participation in gentrification and affluence – a central claim of the book. This self-criticism borrows from longstanding and widespread concern about the threat affluent people pose to “authentic” people and places as well as from heightened public awareness of gentrification’s consequences. Beyond page 99 the book explores long-timers’ reactions to social preservation and why preservationists work to preserve some – but not all – long-timers.

Based on the gentrifiers’ accounts of their beliefs and behaviors, she reveals that many such individuals “deviate from the frontier and salvation ideology long held to be the sine qua non of gentrification” (p. 250). All of this is accomplished through a richly descriptive prose—“Gripping a cup of tea, Leslie fought tears as she described . . . ” (p. 100)—that is the hallmark of good ethnography, yielding a text that is both insightful and engaging. Brown-Saracino distinguishes herself from other works on gentrification in several important ways, specifically her approach and analytical focus. Furthermore, urban and cultural sociology thrive on comparative approaches, and this beautiful book will serve as an exemplar of this perspective for years to come. Newcomers to older neighborhoods are usually perceived as destructive, tearing down everything that made the place special and attractive.

In an era of rapid change, this book absorbed study reveals the unexpected ways beliefs about authenticity, place, and change play out in the social, political, and economic lives of very different neighborhoods. The last chapter of this book demonstrates how distinct ways of thinking about place and change play out in gentrifying neighbourhoods and towns. Its also offers a sophisticated reinvention of the classic community study by emphasizing how local residents interpret contemporary economic and political forces through the lens of culture and the imagination of authenticity. Brown-Saracino examined the varied residents think about gentrification and the process counters common stereotypes about the motivations of gentrifiers. This book challenges conventional wisdom, which holds gentrification to be the simple outcome of new middle-class tastes and a demand for urban living.

MALAYSIAN TOWNPLAN JOURNAL Vol 8 Issue No 01 November 2011

Malaysian Townplan Journal 2011 (Malaysia's Town Planning Journal No. 1) themed `Planning in Blue', published by the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning Malaysia (JPBD) now availabe in hard copy version. A hard copy is available from 15 November 2011 during the launching of Malaysian World Planning Day Celebration at Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. This journal tries to bring readers to appreciate river and water bodies as the Creator's Gift up to how to connect river with the people, and many more!..for details, please visit http://www.townplan.gov.my/ or http://www.%20mytownnet.%20blogspot.com.with/ RM20, the knowledge about the history and how to plan the river is yours...limited copy, first come first basis applied.Do contact us (Research and Development Division, JPBD) at 03-20816 000. Get your copy today!http://www.townplan.gov.my/devo/download/Banner%20Page/Promotion_Malaysian%20Journal%20Townplan.pdf

HEROES GET REMEMBERED BUT LEGENDS NEVER DIES!!!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT URBAN PLANNING

What is Urban Planning?
Urban planning known as the "physical planning" or "land use planning". In other words, it is an art and science in shaping the growth and physical development, social and economic urban areas and rural areas.Urban planning (urban, city, and town planning) incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities.Prominent features of urban planning are land use planning, zoning, environmental planning and transportation planning. Urban planning can include urban renewal, by adapting urban planning methods to existing cities suffering from decay and lack of investment. In other words, Urban planning is a mixture of science and art. It encompasses many different disciplines and brings them all under a single umbrella. The simplest definition of urban planning is that it is the organization of all elements of a town or other urban environment. However, when one thinks about all the elements that make up a town, urban planning suddenly seems complicated - and it is.

Planning Permission

Planning permission must be obtained from the Local Authority (PBT) before a development can be initiated in accordance with section 19. Application for Planning Permission shall be in such form and containing such particulars, and accompanied by the documents and plans set by local authorities as provided by section 21 (1). Section 21 (3) requires that if the application involves the erection of buildings, the Local Authority may direct the applicant to submit level details such as building sites, building height and shift back and forth.

Aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Permission

May appeal to the Appeal Board within one month from the date of the decision on him.

What is Proposed Development Report?

It is a report required to be prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section 21A, Town and Country Planning Act (Amendment) Act 1995, which must be submitted together with the layout plan submitted either to the application conversion, subdivision or erect buildings where relevant. It presents the fundamentals of planning, rational rationale and justification that would strengthen the suitability of development proposals.

What is the Local Plan?

Is a detailed plan to translate the policies and proposals contained in the Structure Plan. It shows the layout of the development of large bersekil for an area that is furnished with a written statement to explain the policies and details about the development.

What is the Structure Plan?

Is to submit a written participation policies and general proposals on land use development including measures to control the physical environment, communications and traffic for the period 15 to 20 years .

What is the Development Plan?

Development Plan comprises the Structure Plan, Local Plan, Local Development Plan and Rural Plan.

What is Open Space?

Open space reserved for public use or benefit.In land use planning, urban open space is open space areas for “parks”, “green spaces”, and other open areas. The landscape of urban open spaces can range from playing fields to highly maintained environments to relatively natural landscapes. They are commonly open to public access, however, urban open spaces may be privately owned. Areas outside of city boundaries, such as state and national parks as well as open space in the countryside, are not considered urban open space. Streets, piazzas, plazas and urban squares are not always defined as urban open space in land use planning.

What is Greenfield?

Undeveloped land such as forest and agricultural land. It also includes undeveloped land located within built-up areas such as parks, recreation and open space area the. Greenfield land is a term used to describe undeveloped land in a city or rural area either used for agriculture, landscape design, or left to naturally evolve. These areas of land are usually agricultural or amenity properties being considered for urban development. Greenfield land can be unfenced open fields, urban lots or restricted closed properties kept off limits to the general public by a private or government entity. Rather than build upon greenfield land a developer may choose to re-develop brownfield or greyfield lands, areas that have been developed but left abandoned or underused.

What is the Environmentally Sensitive Areas?

One area that needs special attention or consideration before any development is allowed in or near the area.A fragile ecosystem area where the conservation or preservation of the natural environment is sustained by state controls and/or grants.In other word, Environmentally Sensitive Areas are land and water areas containing natural features or ecological functions of such significance as to warrant their protection in the best long-term interest of the people and environment.

What is a Brownfield?

Any land or premises which have been developed or used but not yet fully exploited although it has a tendency to use or set up bangunan.Its also is vacant land, idle land or land that has been defiled. Brownfield sites are abandoned or underused industrial and commercial facilities available for re-use. Expansion or redevelopment of such a facility may be complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminations.In the United States urban planning jargon, a brownfield site (or simply a brownfield) is land previously used for industrial purposes or certain commercial uses. The land may be contaminated by low concentrations of hazardous waste or pollution, and has the potential to be reused once it is cleaned up. Land that is more severely contaminated and has high concentrations of hazardous waste or pollution, such as a Superfund site, does not fall under the brownfield classification. Mothballed brownfields are properties that the owners are not willing to transfer or put to productive reuse.

What is Brownfield Redevelopment?
Brownfield redevelopment is a relatively new idea of redevelopment in our country. The main factor brownfield development is a priority for brownfield development is a solution to the problem of shortage of land in the city center. brownfield redevelopment will also create many job opportunities to the unemployed. The main factor brownfield redevelopment should be encouraged because of the development will reduce the explore of the new forest because there are still brownfield sites can be developed. There are three key actor in the development of brownfield sites, they consist of property developers, Local Authorities and the purchaser. Brownfield redevelopment more popular now is because there is high demand for land in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur. The developer is not interested in developing brownfield sites because they often faced with the problem of uncertainty in the implementation of the redevelopment of this area. There was a special government agency should be established to manage the development of potential brownfield. Another important point in the research of the redevelopment of brownfield sites are special guide lines should be established for the reference of all parties involved.

What is Urban Regeneration?
Comprehensive and integrated vision and action which leads to the resolution of urban problems and which seeks to bring about a lasting improvement in the economic, physical, social and environmental condition of an area that has been subject to change. Urban regeneration does not only mean re-development per se. Due to rather destructive nature of re-development process, there have been alternative methods of re-generation practiced by planners and authorities such as refurbishment, upgrading and restoration. In other words urban regeneration  is based mainly on following themes:
• the relationship between the physical condition evident in urban areas and the nature of the social and political response;
• the need to attend to matters of housing and health in urban areas;
• the desirability of linking social improvement with economic progress;
• the containment of urban growth;
• the changing role and nature of urban policy.

What is Urban Gentrification?
Urban gentrification is a general term for the arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district, a related increase in rents and property values, and changes in the district's character and culture. The term is often used negatively, suggesting the displacement of poor communities by rich outsiders. But the effects of urban gentrification are complex and contradictory, and its real impact varies. Many aspects of the urban gentrification process are desirable. Who wouldn't want to see reduced crime, new investment in buildings and infrastructure, and increased economic activity in their neighborhoods? Unfortunately, the benefits of these changes are often enjoyed disproportionately by the new arrivals, while the established residents find themselves economically and socially marginalized. Urban gentrification has been the cause of painful conflict in many American cities, often along racial and economic fault lines. Neighborhood change is often viewed as a miscarriage of social justice, in which wealthy, usually white, newcomers are congratulated for "improving" a neighborhood whose poor, minority residents are displaced by skyrocketing rents and economic change.

What is Saturated Build Area?

The main areas where land use is land use of urban residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and other infrastructural facilities.

What is the Public Utilities?

Facilities are available for public use.

What is Eco-Friendly Drainage?

The concept of source control in any additions or changes in quantity and water quality control in the area developed so that it does not bring negative effects such as flooding in downstream areas.

What is the Insert Plan?

Plan showing the detailed proposals and guidelines for the development in accordance with the main land use and subjects selected for the proposed area. It is provided to support and further details are available in the county proposal Subject Plan.

What is the Subject Plan?
A plan that shows the elements of the proposal and guidelines in accordance with the main land use and sectoral subjects.

What is Transit Oriented Development?

It is a concept of development where residential and commercial areas are planned and designed to maximize the use of transit and non-motorized vehicles.Transit Oriented Development is a walkable mixed-use form ofdevelopment typically focused within 400m radius of a transit station or any public bus network. Development shall be concentrated near stations to make transit convenient for people and encourage riderships. This form of development utilises existing infrastructure, optimises use of the transit network and enhances mobility for local communities. Transit Oriented Development concept will be promoted as the basis of urban planning to ensure viability of public transportation. This will implement a more sustainable approach to urban planning in the use of land around transit stations.

What is the Integrated Public Transport?

Public transport facilities are mutually integrated with each other.

What is a Community Center?

Meeting place where people can gather for recreation, leisure and social activities.

What is Urban Sprawl?

Horizontal urban expansion uncertain or uncontrollable or beyond the municipal boundaries.Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses (e.g. stores and residential), and various design features that encourage car dependency.Urban economists have entered the debate relatively recently. They tend to examine urban sprawl as the aggregate extent of urban land use or as the average urban land use density. It has been shown that urban sprawl can increase the aggregate urban land use and lower the average land use density while at the same time lowering average commuting travel times and increasing discretionary mobility.The term urban sprawl generally has negative connotations due to the health, environmental and cultural issues associated with the phrase. Residents of sprawling neighborhoods tend to emit more pollution per person and suffer more traffic fatalities.Sprawl is controversial, with supporters claiming that consumers prefer lower density neighborhoods and that sprawl does not necessarily increase traffic.

What is New Urbanism?
New urbanism promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant, mixed-use communities composed of the same components as conventional development, but assembled in a more integrated fashion, in the form of complete communities. These contain housing, work places, shops, entertainment, schools, parks, and civic facilities essential to the daily lives of the residents, all within easy walking distance of each other. New urbanism promotes the increased use of trains and light rail, instead of more highways and roads. Urban living is rapidly becoming the new hip and modern way to live for people of all ages. Within the concept of New Urbanism today, there are four key ideas. The first of these is to ensure that a city is walkable. This means that no resident should need a car to get anywhere in the community and they should be no more than a five minute walk from any basic good or service. To achieve this, communities should invest in sidewalks and narrow streets.In addition to actively promoting walking, cities should also de-emphasize the car by placing garages behind homes or in alleys. There should also only be on-street parking, instead of large parking lots. Another core idea of New Urbanism is that buildings should be mixed both in their style, size, price and function. For example, a small townhouse can be placed next to a larger, single family home. Mixed-use buildings such as those containing commercial spaces with apartments over them are also ideal in this setting. Finally, a New Urbanist city should have a strong emphasis on the community. This means maintaining connections between people with high density, parks, open spaces and community gathering centers like a plaza or neighborhood square.

What is Compact City?
The Compact City or city of short distances is an urban planning and urban design concept, which promotes relatively high residential density with mixed land uses. It is based on an efficient public transport system and has an urban layout which – according to its advocates – encourages walking and cycling, low energy consumption and reduced pollution. A large resident population provides opportunities for social interaction as well as a feeling of safety in numbers and 'eyes on the street'. It is also arguably a more sustainable urban settlement type than urban sprawl because it is less dependent on the car, requiring less (and cheaper per capita) infrastructure provision. Compact City is a place that combines work and housing in a new way. So the worker becomes foreign worker leaves home and shelter as mono to become a place of interrelationships.

What is the Transit Planning Zone?

Areas within 400m of rail stations

MY MEMBERSHIP OF INTERNATIONAL URBAN PLANNING ASSOCIATIONS

1.  Congress of New Urbanism (CNU) linked to http://www.cnu.org/user/10598

2. Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP)  linked to http://www.aesop-planning.eu/members/individuals/en_GB/azmizam-abdul-rashid

3. The Global Action Research Centre (The Global ARC) linked to http://www.theglobalarc.org/members/profile/145/

4. The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) linked to http://www.isocarp.org/index.php?id=162&expertise=sector_inst_gov_multiagency_ngo

5. Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) linked to http://www.tcpa.org.uk/

6. The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) linked to http://www.rtpi.org.uk/index.html

7. International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) linked to http://www.iaia.org/resources-networking/code-of-conduct.aspx

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NATIONAL PHYSICAL PLAN

What is the National Physical Plan and function?

A written statement formulating strategic policies for determining the direction of the physical development and conservation for the whole of Peninsular Malaysia. National Physical Plan  should be provided through the consultation process between the Federal and State Governments as well as taking into account the current national municipal policy or other policies related. National Physical Plan  is provided for Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak are not covered because the two states subject to different legislation.

National Physical Plan  functions to translate the socio-economic objectives of the Five-Year Malaysia Plan and development policies until 2020, as well as sectoral objectives into spatial form to the user in terms of geographical distribution among the states, within states and between local areas.

What Legal Provisions Used in Preparation of National Physical Plan ?

Section 6B, Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 (Act 172) is the legal basis for the preparation of National Physical Plan  under this act where the National Physical Plan  is defined as follows:

i) Is a written statement formulating strategic policies for the purpose of directing the country's physical development and

ii) Contain other matters as may be prescribed by the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN).

This makes the National Physical Plan  as a document 'statuory', although penyediannya not provided for in the gazetted.

What are the implications to the State and Federal Agencies Should Not Comply In particular National Physical Plan  Policy on Preparation of Five-Year Malaysia Plan and Development Plan?

In terms of implications for the Federal Government and State Governments should not emmatuhi National Physical Plan  policy is considered not to comply with the directives and policies decided by the National Physical Planning Council and not carrying out his duties as provided under Subsection 6B (5), Act 172.

In terms of implications for policy compliance National Physical Plan  at the annual forecast Malaysia Plan, the National Physical Plan  policies should be the basis for budget planning Malaysia Five Year Plan. If the Development Plan, particularly the Structure Plan, regardless of National Physical Plan  policies, then penyediannya have violated the provisions under paragraph 7 (3) (aa), Act 172.

When the Review-2 National Physical Plan  To Begin And Stage Any approve?

Review of the National Physical Plan  to National Physical Plan 2 commenced on February 2, 2009. It was approved by the Cabinet on August 11, 2010 and approved by the National Physical Planning Council on August 13, 2010.

This review is provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 6B, Act 172 in relation to the requirements of National Physical Plan  to reviewed every five years consistent with the Review of Five-Year Malaysia Plan . However, not all aspects of the National Physical Plan  should be changed because there were some suggestions that should be maintained at the level of review. This includes areas identified as conservation and the protection of water resources. Similarly, the proposed construction of the country's other major infrastructure that requires continuous implementation. National Physical Plan  has both short-term perspective to meet the socio-economic objectives contained in the Five-Year Malaysia Plan. 

What are the Main Differences Between National Physical Plan  and National Physical Plan 2?

Two main differences in terms of overall concept and strategy :

i. Concept Selective Concentration in the first National Physical Plan  is focused on urban development in particular conurbation.

ii. Concept Concentrated Decentralisation the National Physical Plan  of the 2nd suggested that not only focuses on the development of conurbation, but more balanced with a focus on the onsite-selected locations in the growth corridors.

What is the objective of the Review to National Physical Plan 2?

National Physical Plan  of the 2nd goal was to "Establish a National Spatial Framework The Efficient, Equitable and Sustainable Development for All National Driving Towards Achieving Advanced Level and High-Income Countries By The Year 2020". In determining these goals, they take into account the pillars of the government including the National Key Result Areas (NKRA), Economic Transformation Programme and the 10th plan.

MY BOOK REVIEW - THE NEW URBAN FRONTIER: GENTRIFICATION AND THE REVANCHIST CITY

Author : Neil Smith
Title : The New Urban Frontier : Gentrification and the Revanchist City
Year of Publication : 1996

Place of Publication : London

Publisher: Routledge, London

Pages : 262

ISBN : 041513255X

This book brings together a body of research on gentrification conducted by Neil Smith over a period of nearly 20 years. The book thus reflects developments within Marxian-oriented urban theory from the late 1970s to the late 1990sto the inclusion of aspect of ethnicity and gender and the practice of discourse analysis to reveal, and the practice of discourse analysis to reveal ways of creating frontiers. Two of the ten chapters are new, while eight are updated versions of articles and chapters previously published and often cited in the gentrification literature. The two new chapters (2 and 8) address the issues: “Is gentrification a dirty words?” and “And gentrification experiences in European cities so distinct as to merit development of theories fundamentally different from those used to explain gentrification in North American cities?”This book challenges conventional wisdom, which holds gentrification to be the simple outcome of new middle-class tastes and a demand for urban living.

It reveals gentrification as part of a much larger shift in the political economy and culture of the late twentieth century. Documenting in gritty detail the conflicts that gentrification brings to the new urban 'frontiers', the author explores the interconnections of urban policy, patterns of investment, eviction, and homelessness. The failure of liberal urban policy and the end of the 1980s financial boom have made the end-of-the-century city a darker and more dangerous place. Public policy and the private market are conspiring against minorities, working people, the poor, and the homeless as never before. In the emerging revanchist city, gentrification has become part of this policy of revenge. The reader is able to follow as the reduction and centralisation of social services makes the city both a haven and a scourge. The streets offer a means of support and network, even as local councils and retail traders lobby to `keep the city clean and safe', a semantic shift on the threadbare attempts to rationalise slum clearance.

Nevertheless, there remains much to recommend in this book. Smith writes persuasively. He has a tempo and grip of the argument which allows diverse and demanding subject material to be dealt with in a conversational manner, from the history of `socialist gentrification' in post-Communist Budapest, to scientific appraisals of urban demographics. The conclusion of The New Urban Frontier could easily accommodate a `City of Quartz'-like conclusion to configure a foreseen post-apocalyptic scenario for the West's many physically expanding, but economically declining cities. It is something of a relief that this is not the case. However, Smith draws some concerning parallels between international cases of the revanchist city in its extreme--citing the murder of homeless children in Rio de Janeiro through to the bombing in Oklahoma City--as part of a continuum.

Despite rhetoric of `degentrification', the boundaries demarcated by social inequality show no sign of dissolving. Smith's frequently used frontier motif is turned on its head, as the line between `savagery' and `civilisation' is no longer seen as a one-way, expansionist trajectory, but a contested battleline.  Smith admits a `two-class analysis' to be problematic, yet this is where he returns in the end. So while the issues of revenge politics and urban decline certainly construct an environment of dualistic adversary at work, in the city of decline it is left to the reader to decide whether this is the same city that they have come to know. He is convincing theories about the gentrification of the inner city as an economic process propelled by urban land prices and city land speculation — not a cultural preference for living in the city.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON LEGAL AND REGULATORY PLANNING

Who is responsible for urban planning?

In Peninsular Malaysia, the Central Government and State Governments are equally responsible for town and country planning, in which the Department of Town and Country Planning, Peninsular Malaysia as a whole serves to advise on national planning policies to all ministries, government departments and semi- the Government. While the Department of Town and Country Planning function to advise the State Government and Local Authorities in their respective states.

What are the functions of the Legal and Regulatory Planning?

i) Provide technical advice on town and country planning legislation to Federal agencies, State, local planning authorities and the public;

ii) Make the promotion and spread of legal policy, urban and rural planning;

iii) To coordinate and monitor the recipient clothes Act 172, the rules, guidelines and instructions under the provisions of Act 172;

iv) Provide a verification of the development application under subsection 22 (2A) of Act 172 to National Physical Planning Council;

v) Conduct investigations and monitor the planning of development projects that have been adopted and approved by National Physical Planning Council;

vi) Review and review the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) and prepare proposed amendments to Act 172.

vii) To prepare and review the rules, guidelines and instructions under the provisions of Act 172.

Is Planning Permission in accordance with the provisions of Act 172?

Planning permission was granted permission in writing by the local planning authority (PBPT) to a person who wishes to carry out the development. The need for planning permission has been provided under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) in Part IV: Planning Control. Interpret the Act 172 planning permission as permission granted with or without conditions for carrying out the development. In general, planning permission is a procedure in which the applicant must submit an application to local planning authority to get permission before commencing any development on the land or buildings.

When planning permission period will expire?

If a development is not carried out within 12 months from the date of the planning permission granted planning permission has been granted will expire, unless extended prior to expiration.

What is the amount of fines that the wear for someone who made a mistake in connection with a promotion that is not justified?

When a person has committed an offense and liable to a fine to be imposed is five hundred thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for not more than two years or both. However for a continuing offense charged is five thousand dollars (RM5,000) for each day the offense continues after conviction for the offense.

What type of development should be referred to National Physical Planning Council?

Under subsection 22 (2A) Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172), there are three types of development that should be referred to National Physical Planning Council namely: a) Development of a municipality for a population of more than 10,000 people, or covering an area of ​​more than 100 hectares or both; b) A development for the construction of any major infrastructure or utility, and c) a development affecting the peak or hill slopes, in areas designated as Environmentally Sensitive Areas in development plan.

For projects of national interest, need be sent for approval planning permission?

It should be. Planning permission must be obtained from the local authorities involved and for projects of national interest should be taken for advice and consideration Naional Physical Planning Council chaired by the Prime Minister.