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SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR REMBAU DISTRICT DRAFT LOCAL PLAN 2025

OVERVIEW

The study is colaboration with Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (FDTCP), State Planning Department of Negeri Sembilan and Southern Zone Project Office. The country’s sustainable development policy and strategy needs a systematic and comprehensive approach to balance physical, economic, environmental and social needs. The preparation of a Development Plan according to the Town and Country Planning Act (Act 172), namely Structural Plan (SP), Local Plan (LP) and Special Area Plan (SAP) are the foundations in achieving sustainable development goals. FDTCP has conducted a Pilot SA Study in 2004 through the Kuala Selangor District Council Local Plan(RTMDKS/MDKSLP). The SA Process in RTMDKS has been improved and used in LP studies under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP). Sustainability Assessment is an assessment method designed to evaluate if a plan, policy or programme can achieve sustainable development objectives. Generally, SA is a good planning practice and supports sustainable development where Malaysia is a signatory to Agenda 21.

FDTCP has practiced the principles of physical planning, economy, environment and social, but conducted each separately by sector. This SA method empowers that practice in an integrated and systematic manner where assessment is documented more effectively. Sustainability issues are matters that were brought up by the target group during the FGD session that was conducted in the early stages of LP preparation. Issues can also be gleaned from discussions with LAs and technical agencies as well as from development planning documents. Sustainability issues of study areas are categorised into social, environmental and economic issues. In the context of SA, an indicator is a sign that can measure the level of sustainability of an area.

A headline indicator can be identified in the beginning of study after identifying sustainability assessment criteria. Indicators can determine early measures to overcome issues to achieve sustainability objectives. Indicators also have targets and can be a tool to monitor of an LP target has been met. Identified indicators must be able to be translated in spatial form. Indicators can be generated from assessment criteria through Study Team discussion or when suited to identified sustainability objectives, MURNInet indicators can be used too. Other sources such as RFN, RSN, Malaysian Life Quality Index (UPE) and indicators modified from foreign SA practices can also be used.

There are many evaluation methods, either qualitative or quantitative. As a pilot initiative, a simple method is used, based on the value gleaned from discussion and open feedback between the core team and technical agency to get a group agreement if a proposal is compatible, not compatible, neutral or irrelevant to sustainability objectives. Evaluation is made based on quality where the results from the discussion is accepted as a group final decision. This is because the agencies present are experts in their respective fields and are able to make good decisions based on the expert judgement method. The evaluation through discussion is a good and effective evaluation method. 

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