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
1 comment:
Very good & nice post. Thank you.
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