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