FDTCP INITIATIVE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PART 2

Regional Plans

Under sub-section 6A(5)(b) of Town and Country Planning Act, (Act 172) requires the Regional Planning Committee (RPC) to prepare a Regional Plan for areas situated in two or more states where there is an urgent need to tackle significant strategic issues of regional importance, particularly pertaining to cross-border development and joint-facility provision. Each Regional Plan consists of spatial policies and broad development strategies to guide and coordinate development including key regional infrastructure provision, such as highways and airports.

Regional Planning Committees serves to inform and assist the State Planning Committees and the Local Planning Authorities within the region on appropriate development measures for the region aimed at sharing and optimising the use of capital-intensive infrastructure and social facilities, coordinate development, avoid duplication of investments and promote the conservation of natural resources. Regional plan / sub-regional plan may also be prepared for the conurbation covering a number of local authority areas identified in the NPP.

To reduce the wide income disparities between the less-developed and more-developed regions as well as between the rural and urban areas, Corridor Development Plans (CDP) for the various designated regional growth corridors that is, the Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER), the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) and Iskandar Malaysia, have been prepared and completed recently.

Malaysian Urban Indicators Network (MURNInet)

In 2002, the FDTCP has taken an initiative to promote sustainable development concept for urban area by introducing the Malaysian Urban Indicator Network (MURNInet). MURNInet is a system of evaluating and

monitoring the sustainability of cities in Malaysia through the performance of a set of sustainable development indicators identified.

MURNInet was created based on a computer network that was designed to analyze current urban conditions; effects of development, survey temporal change and formulate sustainable urban scenarios for the future based on fixed standards. This program is continued until today with continuous improvement from time to time. Subsequently, with the changing respectives and including of sustainable development issues in governments future policies and strategties, MURNInet is being reviewed and updated to keep up with current needs and future aspirations of the country such low carbon society, green township, green neighbourhood and green technology.  There are 6 main MURNInet dimensions which include :

i.        Competitive economy;

ii.      Sustainable environment;

iii.    Well-being community;

iv.    Optimum use of land natural resources;

v.      Efficient  Transportation and infrastructure; and

vi.    Effective governance

The above dimensions are divided into 21 themes and 36 indicators. One of a new indicator in MURNInet is Happiness Index Study. The study is to measure well-being of people living within the city which will take into account people's work-life balance, safety, health, governance, provision of public amenities, spiritual and environment. 

Futher enquiry about this article kindly contact :

DR. AZMIZAM ABDUL RASHID
 Research and Development Division,
 Federal Department of Town and Country Planning,
 Ministry of Housing and Local Government,
 Unit No. 50-12-2B, & 50-13-1, Wisma UOA Damansara,
 No. 50, Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights,
 50490 Kuala Lumpur,
 Malaysia
 email address : azmizam@townplan.gov.my

Physical Planning Guidelines

Planning guidelines is a written statement which acts as reference for development approval by local planning authorities in controlling land use to achieve uniformity, complacency and safe execution for land use activities. For any development proposal should adhere to the guidelines that have been set. Planning Guidelines are able to create comfortable and liveable environment.

FDTCP has prepared 41 planning guidelines since 1997. However in 2008, subsequently, with the changing respectives of sustainable development issues in governments future policies and strategties, 17 planning guidelines have been reviewed with 7 new planning guidelines. The planning guidelines related to sustainable development are:

i.              Planning Doctrine and Universal Development

ii.            Housing Planning Guidelines

iii.          Industrial Planning Guidelines

iv.          Commercial Area Planning Guidelines

v.            Community Facilities Planning Guidelines

vi.          Open Space and Recreational Planning Guidelines

vii.        Island and Marine Park Physical Development Planning Guidelines

viii.      Environmental Sensitive Area Planning Guidelines

ix.          Theme Park Planning Guidelines

x.            Roof-Top Garden Planning Guidelines

xi.          Universal Design Planning Guidelines

xii.        Green Neighbourhood Planning Guidelines

xiii.      Planning Guidelines of Identification for the Brownfield Redevelopment Area

MY LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM UKM

Thank you very much to Prof Dr Hazita Azman & FSSK for this award. From bottom of my heart I'm really honored & appreciate it. Your support with encouragement frm PM Dr Hamzah Jusoh & PM Dr Jalaluddin Ab Malek during my prsent for 3 yrs in UKM will be remembered forever. Allah saja dpt membalasnya...Amin

THE ROLE OF EFFICIENT URBAN GOVERNANCE TO PROMOTE THE INCREASING PUBLIC TRANSPORT UTILISATION

The availability and improvement of public transportation should be looked upon as a consumer right of citizens. Unfortunately, citizens tend to suffer from the uncoordinated, ill planned and profit driven public transport projects that have been developed by private concerns. An example would be the failure to connect the LRT and Monorail lines in KL Sentral itself that brings about such inconvenience to would be users. ‘Sustainability’ is the key word in increasing the utilisation of public transport and this is undertaken by finding out what the general public would like and making sure it is delivered and maintained. The growing success of RAPID Penang has been brought about by its efficiency that encapsulates:

a. Services (affordable, accessible, frequent, conducive, informative with well trained personnel);

b. Enforcement (relevant authorities take responsibility for monitoring and issuing of licences);

c. Hardware (vehicles with good levels of comfort, safety and cleanliness, GPS);

d. Infrastructure (improved road system which includes bus lanes, developing/improving the bus terminals and bus & taxi stops)

The bus operations of most capital cities in developed countries have been reformed via the introduction of the ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ concept which RAPID Penang will emulate once more infrastructure becomes available. The concept entails shortened travelling distances for buses that will increase their frequency and lower the waiting time despite the transfers. RAPID Penang plans to increase the number of buses from 150 to 350 with the goal of achieving a 70:30 (private: public transportation) usage by 2010. As much has been discussed and covered regarding the various problems being faced by Malaysia’s public transport, he concentrated on short and long term recommendations to alleviate and eventually overcome these problems:

The short term steps:

a. Focusing on low/medium income groups and low vehicle ownership settlement corridors to achieve a higher modal split;

b. Lower priority on high-income groups, low density and high vehicle ownership areas as these places would/can be more effectively served by taxis;

c. Choosing suitable vehicles for feeder services with routes penetrating into densely populated settlements;
d. Review and improving the facilities and amenities (bus stop design, waiting comfort, lighting, etc) on priority routes

The long term steps:

a. Policy and strategy in restraining private vehicle usage in the urban centre;

b. Priority on bus operations and enforcement;
c. Balancing land use planning and development

With all the research and recommendations garnered on the issue over the years there should be little or no room for trial and error. An introduction on Department of Railways (DOR) that reports to the Ministry of Transport and is governed by the Railways Act 1991 & Regulations. The duties & functions of the DOR are as follows:

a. Regulating railway operations and services;

b. Prescribing minimal safety standards for railway operations;

c. Prescribing registration/minimal qualification for railway officials;

d. Promoting interest of users of railway facilities/ services (rates, standards, quality, etc);
e. Promoting expansion/improvement of railway systems/facilities/services

In his opinion on the matter on increasing public transport utilisation, there are several ways of achieving this. First and foremost, is to continuously expand the railway network as the backbone of public transport that is complemented with adequate bus line and bus feeder services. The availability of an integrated, accessible and seamless rail network is also needed that possesses a good level of capacity, comfort and reliability. Added to this, will be the need for a common ticketing system and increase in parking space for private vehicle users who would/wish to use public transport like the railway network.

FDTCP INITIATIVE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVLOPMENT PART 1

Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (FDTCP) is committed to promote an integrated and holistic approach to planning and building sustainable cities through support to local authorities, efficient transportation and communication networks, greener buildings and an efficient human settlements and service delivery system, improved air and water quality, reduced waste, improved disaster preparedness and response and increased climate resilience.FDTCP efforts towards achieving sustainable development in the country can been seen through the following planning instruments and policies 

National Urbanisation Policy (NUP)

The necessity of preparing the National Urbanisation Policy (NUP) 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. 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. The NUP will guide and coordinate the planning and urban development of the country to be more efficient and systematic particularly to handle the increase in the urban population by 2020 with emphasis on balancing the social, economic and physical development within urban areas. 

It also serve as the foundation to encourage racial integration and solidarity for those who will reside in the urban areas. The NUP is the main thrust for all urban planning and development activities in Peninsular Malaysia including development plans at the state and local level. This policy will outline the thrust, policy, measures and implementation plan to coordinate and manage the urbanisation process of the country. The NUP is formulated on six thrusts as follows;

i.        An efficient and sustainable urban development.

ii.      Development of an urban economy that is resilient, dynamic and competitive.

iii.    An integrated and efficient urban transportation system.

iv.    Provision of urban services, infrastructure and utility of quality.

v.      Creation of a conducive liveable urban environment with identity.

vi.    Effective urban governance.

The National Physical Plan (NPP)

The legal foundation for the National Physical Plan (NPP) is the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (revised in 2001). FDTCP is responsible for drafting the plan. The NPP concept was introduced as a result of amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act in 2001. The first NPP was approved in 2005. This NPP covers the period from 2006 to 2020. Pursuant to the Town and Country Planning Act, NPP must be reviewed every five years in conjunction with the Five-Year Plan (i.e. the Malaysia Plan).

NPP is developed out of a collaborative process between the federal government and the states. The plan itself is formulated in accordance with the objectives of urbanization and other relevant sectoral policies. The revised NPP (NPP-2) was approved on August 2010. The stated objective of NPP-2 is "to create an efficient, equitable and sustainable national spatial framework to guide the overall development of the country towards achieving a high-income and developed nation status by 2020".

Additional policies and measures formulated in NPP-2 include matters regarding climate change, protection of biodiversity, green and new technology, as well as sustainable tourism. Also included in NPP-2 is the outline measures to achieve goals of six National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) such as reduction of crime rate, widening access to affordable and quality education, raising the living standard of the poor, improving infrastructure in rural areas, improving public transport, which were set out in the course of introducing outcome-based approach into public sector programmes.

NPP-2 sets out a national spatial strategy for Peninsular Malaysia known as “Concentrated Decentralisation”. Its key strategies are to: (1) focus development along potential growth corridors (e.g. urban and industrial development, agriculture, tourism, transportation network, infrastructure and urban services); (2) focus urban development in selected urban conurbations and key urban areas; (3) spread development to lagging and non-urbanised regions; and (4) provide access to ecotourism and agricultural resources; Above (2) takes over and expands the “Selective Concentration” strategy set out in the first NPP which aimed at national development through promoting growth of major conurbations such as Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Johor Bahru, Kuantan.

ARTICLE ON URBAN REGENERATION PROGRAMME IN MALAYSIA

REVITALIZING URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN MALAYSIA THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF URBAN REGENERATION PROGRAMME

Abstract

Malaysia’s modern urban growth, development and urbanisation experiences may be conveniently periodised into three major periods, based on the form, structure and functions of the urban centres. . In Malaysia, given the growing conditions of neglect and degradation of the cities centers.  Since most Malaysian city centers are very old historical cities and seem to be rediscovering now the economic value of creative industries and culture. Urban revitalization and regeneration together with the issues of energy sustainability and the need to reduce pollutant emissions, are today the major challenges facing the planning of cities. The concept of urban regeneration in Malaysia’s cities to promote a “return to the city”, revitalise the city centre, restore activity in a fiercely competitive international context, and implement initiatives to improve the quality of the environment operating in a wide sense towards a smart growth.  Urban regeneration is more than just upgrading the physical environment of an area to hopefully spark private investment. However one of most critical issue in urban regeneration is gentrification. This should not be happend in the true spirit of urban revitalition. Instead of displacing the existing community, they should be relocated to the same site. Therefore urban regeneration processes accomplishes the growing importance in literature of concepts like territorial governance, institutional relational density, creativity, social capital, city branding, city image and place marketing. Kuala Lumpur City Hall is among the municipalities practices urban regeneration by recognizing it as one of the strategic directions the city will take in an effort to encourage more sustainable lifestyles.

Keywords : urban revitalization, urban regeneration, gentrification, public participation

Introduction

By 2050, the world population is expected to increase by 2.5 billion, passing from 6.7 billion in 2008 to 9.2 billion. At the same time, the population living in urban areas is projected to increase from 3.3 billion in 2008 to 6.4 billion in 2050. Thus, the urban areas of the world are expected to absorb all the population growth expected over the next four decades while at the same time drawing in some of the rural population (OECD, 2005). Most of the population growth expected in urban areas will be concentrated in the cities and towns of the less developed regions. Asia, in particular, is projected to see its urban population increase by 1.8 billion, Africa by 0.9 billion, and Latin America and the Caribbean by 0.2 billion. Population growth is therefore becoming largely an urban phenomenon concentrated in the developing world.

There will be an increasingly large population to accommodate in the context of space requirements for economic and social activities. Malaysia’s population in mid-2009 stood at 28.3 million, and the United Nations projects the nation’s population to grow to 40.4 million by 2050. Projections from Malaysia’s National Physical Plan indicate that the population of Peninsular Malaysia would increase to 26.8 million in 2020, from a total of 18.5 million in 2000. Peninsular Malaysia’s population would largely reside in urban areas of various levels and categories. While Peninsular Malaysia’s urban population stood at 65.4 percent (12.1 million) in 2000, it is expected to increase to 75 percent (20.1 million) in 2020. Spatial requirements for urban and city development would thus continue to be a challenge to meet the needs of the ever increasing population (OECD, 2001).

Cities and towns will expand in size and nature to play very important roles as engines of growth to spur development. Cities are expected to provide economic opportunities, and create conducive social environments for a better quality of life. Cities will grow, evolve and age over time into complex and dynamic systems to meet the needs of evolving businesses, employment, housing needs and lifestyles through generations. However, the urban population’s expansion over the last 50 years has placed excessive pressure upon the limited resources of the environment. Excessive industrial growth, increased motorized transportation movements and social lifestyle expectations, contribute to the expansion and continued sprawling of cities’. This gives rise to the excessive use of energy and carbon burning which affects the environment and the inner cities (OECD,2001).

At the same time, older cities now face deteriorating urban infrastructure and services, inefficient water supply, sanitation, waste management, and transportation problems as well as worsening environmental conditions. Challenges in planning and managing urban and cities development, would therefore escalate in time when land for expansion is scarce. Continued sprawling and expansion of cities into valuable greenfield areas consequently leave areas of inner cities to run down and decay in dilapidated conditions. This adversely affects the physical, economic, and social environments of inner city areas (Paddison,1993). ...to be continued ...

Futher enquiry about this article kindly contact :


DR. AZMIZAM ABDUL RASHID
 Research and Development Division,
 Federal Department of Town and Country Planning,
 Ministry of Housing and Local Government,
 Unit No. 50-12-2B, & 50-13-1, Wisma UOA Damansara,
 No. 50, Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights,
 50490 Kuala Lumpur,
 Malaysia


 email address : mailto:bpp@townplan.gov.my

40 WORDS THAT AMAZE MY LIFE

1. People who have a life direction, will dominate their fate and lifestyle.

2. To be great, don’t be someone else, be yourself.

3. Worship is not difficulties; it is the most beautiful gift from Allah s.w.t.

4. Sleep with gratitude, do not sleep with grief.

5. Stupid people only know after hit.

6. See what we see, think what we think.

7. Not all we like, will give joy.

8. Patience is easier than not to be patient.

9. Do not ask to ignorance as it will answer.

10. The best is enemy of good. So doing it properly.

11. When the siren sounded desires, may give a kiss and farewell to any good!

12. The heading north, the south is getting away.

13. Desire is the self-deceiver does not require permission to enter.

14. Some blessings come only once but must always be grateful.

15. Gold and gravel cannot be weighed once.

16. Think of death as activating an alarm clock, we woke up to it; without it we continue to sleep.

17. Tired is the last U-turns to return to the correct path.

18. Align what we believe, what we make.

19. Addicted to praise the preamble of destruction.

20. Tongue like a sword, sheath that survived the pieces.

21. When all items have been lost, do not lose hope!

22. More and more emotional mind we do not work.

23. Once we want to learn, the whole world wanted to be teachers.

24. If the advantages we give as cover as ocean, humility should be as wide as Earth.

25. If the heart whispered: Can I change? Say: No! to the question.

26. Between art and title, which earlier? Answer: Point of View!

27. If Hamman Luxor Valley is good, it will fill the mosques.

28. Grateful if we can be grateful.

29. If someone asks about self-esteem, the answer is in loyalty.

30. As the hero takes up arms collide, which will be lost says: I will die today, who would win, said: I want to die today!

31. Puppet funicular. Humans have hidden a drive belt life!

32. A scholar down the valley, conquered the mountain to capture the wisdom, they find it at the top understand.

33. Ask to nature (fitrah), the answer has not been cheating.

34. At each of sand particles, is the hidden of wisdom.

35. If the water is cause of a mirage, it’s will be a sea in the desert.

36. Before climbing, check the ladder standing against the wall.

37. Two things should be combined to obtain a result, seedlings with soil, planning to write.

38. A second look to Allah s.w.t, realized that we ever observed by His love.

39. People who live to give, their live will be flooded with Allah s.w.t’s gifts.

40. Love Allah s.w.t is an instinctive beautiful.