Tuesday 29 May 2012

URBAN REVITALIZATION PROGRAMMES FOR URBAN VULNERABLE GROUP : PLANNING FOR URBAN SUSTAINABILITY






















Further information 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 or azmizam67@yahoo.co.uk

Thursday 17 May 2012

LIST OF PAPERS AND REPORTS RELATED TO HAPPINESS INDEX FOR LIVEABLE AND SUSTAINABLE CITY

1.  Jamie Tanquay from New Hampshire, who did graduate work in Happiness Economics at Johns Hopkins and an internship in Bhutan helping them develop GNH based tools for policy analysis, has followed his happiness to Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific. Read or download the PDF.

2.      Costanza, M. Hart, S. Posner, J. Talberth. (2009) Beyond GDP: The Need for New Measures of Progress. The Pardee Papers No. 4, Boston University, Boston, MA.

3.      R. Costanza. (2008). Stewardship for a “Full” World. Current History, 30 – 35.

4.      Costanza, B. Fisher, S. Ali, et al. (2008). An integrative approach to quality of life measurement, research, and policy. Surv. Perspect. Integr. Envir. Soc., 1, 11 – 15.

5.      R. Costanza, B. Fisher, S. Ali, et al. (2007). Quality of Life: An approach integrating opportunities, human needs, and subjective well-being. Ecological Economics, 61, 267-276.

6.      E. Diener. (2000) Subjective Well-Being: The Science of Happiness and a Proposal for a National Index. American Psychologist, 55(1) 34-43.

7.      E. Diener (2010) Reprint list

8.      Graham, Carol Numerous articles and reports on Happiness Research and Happiness Economics see her Bio at Brookings Institution for a listing of articles with links


10.  Ura, Karma. (2008) Explanation of GNH Index. Centre for Bhutan Studies, Thimphu, Bhutan.

11.  Talberth, C. Cobb & N. Slattery. (2006). The Genuine Progress Indicator 2006: A Tool for Sustainable Development. Redefining Progress, Oakland, CA.

12.  Marks, N., Abdallah, S., Simms, A, Thompson, S. (2009). The UnHappy Planet Index 2.0. London: New Economics Foundation. happyplanetindex.org

13.  Commission of the European Communities. (2009). GDP and beyond: Measuring progress in a changing world. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, Brussels.

14.  Universal Compassion and Wisdom for Peace. (2006). An Introduction to the 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life. Produced for the Happiness and its Causes Conference, Sydney, Australia. 16 Guidelines for a Happy Life

15.  Vermont Council on Rural Development. (2009). Imagining Vermont: Values and Vision for the Future. Montpelier, Vermont. VCRD Future of Vermont Report

16.  UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment General Synthesis Report: Ecosystems and Human Well-Being (2005) millenniumassessment.org

Saturday 12 May 2012

HAPPINESS INDEX FOR LIVEABLE AND SUSTAINABLE CITY - LIST OF BOOKS FOR REFERENCE

1.     2048:Humanities Agreement to Live Together. Here is a book and a movement about building a future that guarantees human rights and a happy future for all.  Read Excepts from AlterNet

2.      Anialski, Mark. (2007). The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth. Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers. genuinewealth.net

3.      Bok, Derek. (2010). The Politics of Happiness: What government can learn from the new research on Well-Being  Princeton University Press

4.      Brooks, Arthur. (2008). Gross National Happiness: Why Happiness Matters for America and How we can Get More of It. New York, NY: Basic Books. arthurbrooks.net

5.      Frey, B.S. (2008). Happiness: A Revolution in Economics. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Happiness: A Revolution in Economics

6.  Graham, Carol (2010) Happiness Research Around the World Happy Peasants and Miserable Millionaires: Happiness Research, Economics and Public Policy (Oxford University Press)

7. Henderson, Hazel & Sethi, Simran. (2006). Ethical Markets: Growing The Green Economy hazelhenderson.com

8. Henderson, Hazel. (2000) Beyond Globalization: Shaping a Sustainable Global Economy. hazelhenderson.com

9.  Kahneman, D., Diener, E., Schwartz, N. eds. (2003). Well-Being: The Foundations of Hedonic Psychology.

10.  Lane, R. E. (2000). The Loss of Happiness in Market Democracies. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. yalepress.yale.edu

11.  Layard, R. (2005). Happiness: Lessons From a New Science. New York, NY: The Penguin Press. Happiness: Lessons From a New Science)

12.  McKibben, Bill. (2008). Deep Economy. Holt Paperbacks. billmckibben.com

13.  Speth, Gus (2009) The Bridge at the Edge of the World: Capitalism, the Environment, and Crossing from Crisis to Sustainability. Yale University Press. thebridgeattheedgeoftheworld.com

14.  Weiner, Eric. (2008). The Geography of Bliss. New York, NY: Twelve. ericweinerbooks.com

15.  Worldwatch Institute. (2008) State of the World 2008: Innovations for a Sustainable Economy. Washington DC. worldwatch.org

16.  Worldwatch Institute. (2004) State of the World 2004: Special Focus – The Consumer Society. Washington DC. worldwatch.org

Wednesday 9 May 2012

THE ANALYSIS OF OPEN SPACE PROVISION 2 HECTARES / 1,000 POPULATION
















Further information 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 or azmizam67@yahoo.co.uk

Saturday 5 May 2012

PROCESS TO DEVELOP A GOOD HUMAN BEING BY PROF DR MUHAYA MUHAMMAD

1. The happiest people do not have the best of everything but they simply make the best of everything. Live simply, speak kindly, care deeply and love generously

2.      Our thoughts are the seeds we plant in our garden of mind. So choose our thoughts today and decide our emotion and action and subsequently perception and quality of life. We see what we believe not believe what we see. Today stop blaming complaining and taking shame for our mistakes. Instead learn from the negative events

3.      Financial freedom is such a buzz word now. It is something people are going for. Many are looking in direction of making more money. It has nothing to do with how much money we have or how much money we make. It is what we have inside us. Some people who make little can be happy and people who make tonnes of money are stressed. People who are contented with what they have do not have all the money in the world but they have financial freedom. MAny people who have lots of money but stressed.Financial freedom is an attitude to money not the amount. These are the attitudes for financial freedom
a.       Do not worry about money, we say if I have more money I will not be worried. So choose not to worry- worry is a bad use of imagination. we begin to imagine a situation that may not happen. Decide to take action over finances. Imagine a life of abundance.
b.      I can be happy regardless of my financial state. Do not make money be a condition for happiness. It is not the money that make you happy. It is the relationship with people and how we handle ourself that make us happy.
c.       Money is a mean to an end not the end itself. Just set a goal how much money we give away to make a difference. Money is a tool to build a house, money is the means not the end. Have a purpose for spending money. If money is the end it will never be enough.
d.      Say I am free- understand that we are free to earn. Do not feel guilty to earn money.
e.       Say I am free to save. Leave money to people.
f.       Say I am free to give money away.
g.      I am free to spend. spend on ourself and others . be free to make choices. Earn all you can, save all you can and give all you can. when we have all three we are balanced and in financial freedom. Debt is the primary freedom killer. Chris Widener

4.      Although social networking sites & apps such as Facebook, Twitter etc are responsible for much irresponsibility and damage, casting people into loss, regret and darkness, I am quite convinced that we can all make ourselves responsible users of the same networks encouraging responsibility and building solid foundations, instilling high morals, removing people from darkness, showing them the light and how easy it is to tread upon the path of no regret, gaining as much as possible on their fingertips! It has never been easier to access people "sans frontiers" than this, so are we going to make use of it to create a positive impact or wait for others to do the opposite and cry when it is too late?  Anyone engaged in any form of beneficial activity should be supported in it, even if it be just morally. Perhaps our own children may be saved through the effort of those whom we thought negatively about. Neither underestimate the impact of technology upon the masses nor your own impact upon others.

5.      "Arrogance & pride is when one rejects the truth and despises people." The Messenger makes it clear that wearing the best of clothing, living in the best of homes, using the best of vehicles etc does NOT mean that one is proud or arrogant. However, when one denies the truth & belittles others thinking he is above the law & others are inferior then such. If a person cheats on their spouse, they would probably one day cheat on the one they cheated on their spouse with! So as much as we should not cheat on our spouses, we should never trust those who have got to us through cheating on their spouses no matter how much they promise. The same promises were made to others before us.Never break a home to make a home as your shall be broken one day by another wanting to make it. Be pure, be honest, be clean, be content, be responsible, be transparent and enjoy a stress free life.

6.      People can only be jealous of those who are gifted or blessed in some way so be thankful that you are blessed. Be concerned when nobody is jealous of you because you can do much better. They say stones are thrown only at trees with fruit! A simple smile can break barriers, prevent misunderstandings, ease tensions, create friendship, improve mental, physical, emotional & spiritual well-being, improve social conditions, give a feeling of sincerity & care and lead to much more goodness. Hence a smile is declared a highly recommended act of worship. Keep your face illuminated with a constant smile & see how your life changes! When our main aim in life is our food, clothing, make-up, cars, phones, money, holidays, parties, hairstyles and living up to the latest trends, then spirituality usually takes a back seat and we begin to head in the direction of regret in the hereafter.  It gets to a stage where we become totally enslaved by such items and the Almighty becomes a ceremonial figure in our lives with religion too being transformed into a mere ritual.

7.      When pleasing our Maker takes the center-stage in our lives , then everything else becomes secondary and the sweetness of contentment with our share settles in. We begin to realise the only opportunity we have to prepare for the hereafter is whilst we are alive. The glamorous world fades as we see how it has swallowed so many who are firmly in it's clutches. So much time is wasted on that which really does not matter at all. Nothing can ever bring us more joy than the Pleasure of the Almighty upon us. May He help us focus on the right path and tread upon it at all times. Aameen

8.      Spending maximum time with one's wife and children solves many problems and protects us and them from much evil. It is an act of worship to do so. The Messenger pbuh says to gain saviour, find your home spacious - meaning, don't leave your home unnecessarily but rather, spend that time with those who deserve it most - your immediate family.

9.      Addiction is not confined to alcohol and drugs but to any sin and much more.  People can be addicted to lies, gossip, backbiting, cheating, jealousy, pride, clubs, pornography, adultery, unlawful earnings, extravagance, showing off, abuse of trust, wasting time, mobile phones, internet & much more! 

10.  Fighting any addiction requires us to admit it firstly & seek help or even rehabilitation. Repentance and building our link with the Almighty is prime in combating addiction. Sadly many of us prefer to live in denial.

11.  No self pity party but self improvement and learning continuously

12.  Decide, believe, act, and expect to achieve our goal. with belief come action with action come more belief. Expectation loads the gun and action bring it to us- John Canary. Most people lose out because of a failure to act.

PEOPLE AROUND ME..FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

PEOPLE AROUND ME..FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
To my Wife, Zulaini, my sons Zulazlan, Zulazman, Zulazmir, Zulazmin dan my daughter, Nuris Zulazlin...I love you all..thank you being with me

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS... KUALA LUMPUR PROJECT OFFICE

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS... KUALA LUMPUR PROJECT OFFICE
Thank you guys...for your support and encouragement

2007 / 2008 METHODOLOGY AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH COURSE FOR PHD CANDIDATES

2007 / 2008 METHODOLOGY AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH COURSE FOR PHD CANDIDATES
My new friends during my course in INTAN 9 Jan -2 Mac 2007

KUALA LUMPUR PROJECT OFFICE, JOURNEY TO MOUNT OF KINABALU SABAH 21-22 JANUARY 2006

KUALA LUMPUR PROJECT OFFICE, JOURNEY TO MOUNT OF KINABALU SABAH 21-22 JANUARY 2006
WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CONQUERED 4095.2 METER ABOVE SEA LEVEL

How are you, guys? Where you are now?

FOOD CLOCK