Introduction

As stated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad 2019, “Malaysia’s path to fully developed status requires a sustainable physical plan that puts the environment first over profit”. The message underlined the government push for what it termed as equitable development, with emphasis on green policies in its growth plan. He also added “We have seen the impact of disorganized development and constructions of skyscrapers only for profit”.

Many cities are developing policies that promote compact, livable areas, with adequate public space that facilitate public transport, encourages walking and cycling to reduce carbon emissions. Gearing to achieve better Malaysia, with massive urbanization and population increased, the first statement to come across in our mind will be “lack of space”, “where to stay”, “where to play”, “ where to get fresh foods” and a “conducive living” is needed to make sure the future of the next generations especially to cater the less fortunate needs, and placing “human rights” at the forefront of urban sustainable development.

As stated in providing “better homes” , perhaps, the simplest way in classifying it, is “better surrounding”. This approach is in line with current development effort to address the issue of global warming and climate change. This aspiration can be achieved through the preservation and conservation of natural resources, education, focusing the well-being of the citizen, ensuring holistic and sustainable development and finaly best practices in management system.

Problem Statement

As stated by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi 2013, “Millions have been spent for the 1^st class facilities, but none was appreciated, I totally agree that we, the Malaysians own first class facilities, but we have a third world mentality, this already given a bad impression for everyone”. While in the budget speech by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for 2017, “For the well-being of the Rakyat, the government remains committed to implement Rakyat Centric programmes in urban areas, especially those living in flats, due to lack of maintenance to repair the facilities”. Therefore it is important to identify and understand the management issues that occurs in mostly urban parks (green spaces) as well as to determine the proper management that will associated with best practices to be adopt in order to justify a safe and first class environment in an urban park and green spaces for urban settlement areas.

Forecast and Expectation

Since beginning of 1991 Malaysia has formulated many programmes and initiaves such as Wawasan 2020, a vision that calls for the nation to achieve a self-sufficient industrialised nation by the year 2020, encompasses all aspects of life, from economic prosperity, social well-being, educational worldclass, political stability, as well as psychological balance. While in 2017, Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50), an initiative of long term development programme for Malaysia the period 2020 to 2050. TN50 was expected to be country’s next long-term development programme decision making for urban development that serve as the basis for the next 30 years aspirations with a special section focusing on recreation, public parks, landscapes and well-being in urban settlement towards safe and secure by 2050.

Malaysia adopted the United Nations’ Global Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (SDG) on 25 September 2016. Since then, the country has made significant progress towards the realisation of the SDGs. The goals are incorporated in the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-20) which is formulated on the theme of “Anchoring Growth on People” in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Malaysia adopted the United Nations’ Global Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development on 25 September 2016. Since then, Malaysia has made significant progress towards the realisation of the SDGs. The goals are incorporated in the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-20) which is formulated on the theme of “Anchoring Growth on People”. The Eleventh Malaysia Plan, 2016-2020, focuses on enhancing inclusiveness by providing equitable opportunities for all Malaysians to participate and benefit from economic growth and development irrespective of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and geographical location (11^th Malaysian Plan, 2018).

(UN Agenda 2030), this inclusive development approach is also in tandem with the spirit of leaving no one behind under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations.The mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan tabled in October 2018 highlights the commitment of The New Malaysian Government to achieve the targets of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently Malaysia Kini the vision underlined with the Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) government emphasising sustainable management focusing entirely on green policies in its growth plan towards 2030. With that, as citizens, it is our duty to create holistic landscape development, as well as to ensure natural landscape resources are optimally utilised by considering protection, preservation and conservation through a sustainable management system in order to improve the legislative aspects of planning, implementation, enforcement and regulation of landscape development in Malaysia.

We are fortunate, that Malaysia is blessed with first class facilities in every landscape planning development in urban settlement. The role of landscape management is as important as what landscape can contribute to human life as well as to sustaining the earth. Therefore, it is important to understand the term landscape in much broader scope, not merely for decoration and aesthetic purposes. Landscape manangement best practices will not only contribute towards human well-being but also play an important role towards the preservation and conservation of the environment. This is consistent with the fomulation of the National Landscape Policy (JLN 2011) which gives priority to ensure that all areas for public parks and open spaces to be gazetted and managed according to designated purposes. Proper management with best practices need to be adopted in order to justify a safe and first class management impact in managing landscapes and green spaces in urban areas.

Thrust 3 of the National Ladscape Policy (JLN 2011) action plans Strategy 3.2 “Encourage Manageable and Sustainable Landscape Development Programmes in Order to Achieve Beautiful Garden Nation”. A good management in maintaining the green areas is to provide a holistic path towards a better quality living environment. It is an important initiative towards an effective quality of life by providing safe, healthy landscape. Green spaces is a valuable asset of its management and maintenance contribute directly to the environment and socio economic development.

Landscape should be regarded as an important component in life. It is the first impression that gives its positive impact to any site or housing property. A place that has a strong character enhances placemaking urban parks and green spaces are significant that are associated with urbanization and city dwelling. The presence of vegetation has positive effects on people’s preferences (Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989) as well as the economic benefit and visual quality. Greater KL, 2014 programmed to ensure residents in urban areas enjoy sufficient urban parks and green spaces. While Local Agenda “LA21” emphasized best management practices contribution towards urban revitalisation by supporting the economy performance of an area, enhancing the ecology and biodiversity of the built environment, facilitating a healthy lifestyle, provide a continuous learning prospects and promotes social unity. In 2017, Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) has launced Landscape Architecture Agenda 2050 (LAA 2050) with 10 strategic focus areas concentrating to increase productivity through an organised structure which promotes high effiency, enhanced best pratice in landscape management in order to ensure quality control in delivering the standard of services.

Criteria of Best Management Practices (BMP)

Good quality of housing areas demands at how we plan and design the surrounding especilly the green spaces. Many issues need to be addressed in the design of sustainable landscape for urban housing areas, such as security, control of access, contaminated land, waste management, recycling and not to forget the governance aspect. Managing a landscape areas requires broader knowledge. We need to examine how to improve the quality of housing areas which requires local context, injecting special character as part of the planning, design and management process. Best Management Practice (BMP) means a practice, or combination of practices, that is determined to be an effective and practicable. Its all starts with getting the best possible team in place-together. Effective best management practices is an art, followed by a reform journey from policy to implementation. The BMP for managing green spaces is anchored on five pinciples;

First : Management / Strategy development

• Vision and mission
• Strategic long-term planning
• focused on total Organizational excellence
• Communication/work processes/integrity
• Skill development/creativity/innovation/reinvention
• Emerging and enabling technology

Second : Financial

• Funding
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Smartpartnership – collaborative and consultative

Third : Policy

• Acts
• Standards
• procedure
• good governance

Forth : Sustainability

• Landscape Resources
• conservation
• preventive and protection plan

Fifth : Enhanced Customer Services

• Community involvement /Public participant
• Volunteerism
• Education

Conclusion

Hence, it is also significant to note that best management practices in urban settlement green spaces was highlighted in National Landscape Policy, Trust 1 ”Inculcate the Appreciation Towards Landscape” with clearly define in strategy 1.1 under section 1.1.3 “Increase the application of science and technology in the field of landscape”. Making the most of public spaces, to make sure everyone can find safe, decent, affordable house. The most important is to help create a community where everyone has a good place to live. Landscapes underpins the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability. A carefully designed and welcoming spaces will attract use but the way in which these spaces are maintained and managed will also make a huge difference to how they are regarded by residents. Therefore, adopting best management practices in managing landscape will definately make a huge positive impacts for the community and definately offers a way forward in developing better places to live in.

Written by : LAr. Nor Azah Abdul Aziz

Centre of Landscape Management Studies,
Housing and Local Government Training Institute (I-KPKT), Berjaya Hills.

Kursus ini telah memberikan informasi dan pendedahan kepada peserta mengenai System Binaan Berindustri (Ibs). Melalui kursus ini juga peserta dapat meningkatkan kefahaman mengenai IBS secara keseluruhan termasuk perkara-perkara berkaitan pengenalan, polisi kerajaan dan kepentingan IBS di dalam industry pembangunan dan kearah pembangunan mampan. Jutaan terima kasih diucapkan kepada penceramah iaitu Ir. Mohd Shahrul bin Saari (Innovacia Sdn Bhd) dan peserta-peserta kursus di atas sumbangan dalam menjayakan kursus ini.

Kursus ini telah melaksanakan sesi amali berkenaan penyediaan pembajaan di Taman Botani Negara Kuala Lumpur pada 24 April 2019. Terima kasih diucapkan kepada penceramah dan fasilitator daripada Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur kerana telah memberikan sumbangan dan menjayakan kursus ini.

Kursus ini telah melaksanakan sesi amali berkenaan tatacara memanjat pokok dengan kaedah yang betul di Pusat Perolehan Bijih Benih Lentang pada 10 April 2019. Terima kasih diucapkan kepada penceramah dan fasilitator daripada Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pahang dan Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Negeri Pahang kerana telah memberikan sumbangan dan menjayakan kursus ini.

Kursus ini bertujuan memastikan peserta mahir dalam menguruskan sesuatu projek merangkumi peringkat pentadbiran kontrak, pembinaan, pra kontrak dan peringkat post projek serta mewujudkan warga kerga teknikal yang kompeten dan berkemahiran mengikut displin masing-masing. Selain itu, peserta dapat mengetahui tentang pengurusan projek dan pentadbiran kontrak apabila sesebuah tapak pelupusan tersebut diambil alih oleh kontraktor yang dilantik untuk menguruskan tapak pelupusan. Jutaan terima kasih kepada penceramah iaitu Encik Afiz Bin Mohd Saupi dan Encik Mohd Safrizal Bin Umar daripada Bahagian Fasiliti SWCORP HQ dan juga Professor Madya Ir. Ts. Dr. Riduan Bin Yunus daripada (UTHM) kerana telah memberikan satu ilmu yang baharu dan baik kepada peserta.

Kursus ini bertujuan meningkatkan pengetahuan kepada peserta mengenai komposisi sisa pepejal yang terdapat di dunia terutama di Malaysia dan bagaimana untuk mengira peratusan sisa pepejal yang sudah diasingkan. Selain itu, peserta juga didedahkan dengan kajian komposisi sisa pepejal ini dengan mengasingkan sisa dengan mengikut jenisnya. Jutaan terima kasih kepada Penceramah iaitu Encik Khairul Irwan Bin Kalid dan juga fasilitator iaitu Encik Mohd Shukry Bin Shahidan dan Cik Nor Siti Aishah Binti Said daripada Bahagian Penyelidikan dan Teknologi SWCORP HQ.

Introduction

Walking is the most basic mode of transportation. It has lots of benefits that match the sustainability pillars: society, economy and environment. In terms of benefits to society, walking is the simplest way of performing physical activities. People walk to work or recreational facilities. People also walk to neighbourhood shops and shops within shopping malls. Walking 10,000 steps will burn about 400 to 500 calories. People become healthier if they can meet this challenge daily. In addition, people can meet more people while walking. They will at least greet each other since the people they meet while walking come from the same neighbourhood or the same office building. Thus, the more you walk, the more people you know. According to health studies, walking has a lot of health benefits. First, it increases cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness. Second, it reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Third, it improves management of hypertension, high cholesterol, joins and muscular pain or stiffness and diabetes. Fourth, it increases muscle strength and endurance, and finally, it reduces body fat. Walking has an impact on human lives (Maciejczyk, Wiecek, Szymura, & Szygula, 2016) and health (Foster, Knuiman, Hooper, Christian, & Giles-Corti, 2014).

In terms of economy, walking allows people to view more. In a commercial area, walking promotes people to view the products sold at the shops. As they walk in front of the shops, they will scan through the products being displayed at the shops. They have flexible time to scan the products. They may stop and buy the products that interest them. This activity will indirectly generate economy in neighbourhood commercial area. In a conservation area, walking allows visitors to appreciate the value of the local heritage asset. They will have flexible and ample time to view and appreciate these assets as compared to driving. Walking allows visitors to visit heritage café or food outlets that serve traditional dishes. They can also view the preparation of these local dishes. They may enter and eat at these food outlets. This situation will then assist the local people in generating more income (Litman, 2003).

In terms of environment, walking is the greenest mode of transportation. It doesn’t take any carbon footprint. So, the air will be clean all the time. It also does not require many trees to be chopped down to prepare for its infrastructure. Furthermore, it promotes the use of public transportation. Damage to the environment will be minimal.

The descriptions above show the benefits of walking to people, economy and environment. Walking not only stimulate health returns to the people but also generate economic returns to the local community. Thus, walking should be promoted in any neighbourhoods. However, to promote people to walk, there are requirements to be met. Therefore, this paper describes the dos and don’ts for walking.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for Walking

Let’s assimilate walking needs according to the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid. What are the needs of walking? Physiological and safety would be the first needs. The second needs are esteem and belongingness. And finally, the third needs are self-fulfilment. Figure 1 shows the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid.

The first and second needs refer to the neighbourhood environmental attributes. Good walking infrastructure will consider a lot of factors such as wide covered walkways, ramp, zebra crossings, continuity, trees, etc. Safety and security also play a major role in promoting people to walk. Perceived safety and security can affect people’s decision to walk to a destination from home or workplace (Foster, Knuiman, Hooper, Christian, & Giles-Corti, 2014).

The psychological needs for walking can be met by providing features that can distract people from feeling bored while walking. These features include flowers, shops, vending machines, flower plants, water fountain, benches, trees and many others. They can stop to look at the flowers, take a seat to rest for a while and watch water fountain. These are elements of neighbourhood attributes.

The Dos

1. Walkway width, buffer and trees

   Walkway with ample width will encourage people to walk. Likewise, buffer along the walkway also provides a sense of safety and security to the people using the walkway. Lots of trees available will not only provide share but gives the green view to the eyes of the people. Figure 2 shows the wide and safe walkway that allows two-way pedestrian traffic.

   

2. Ramp

   The ramp is necessary to provide a good walking experience to a family with children, elderly and people with special needs. Figure 3 shows a sample of a good ramp.



3. Zebra crossing

   There are many types of the zebra crossing. A three-D zebra crossing will alert drives of motorised vehicles to slow down and give way to pedestrians to cross roads in commercial areas. Figure 4 shows an example of a three-D zebra crossing.



4. Light indicator or signage

   Light indicator or signage that signals the motorized road users to slow down their vehicles must be provided in commercial areas. This action will alarm these users to alert at all time when passing through a commercial area.

5. Separate walkways and bicycle lanes

The Don’ts

1. The walkway that serves no purpose

   What are the don’ts for walking? Building a walkway next to a highway. There are no users who are willing to walk here. It is dangerous since it is too narrow, and there are no safety and security measures. It doesn’t seem to meet any purpose. Figure 5 shows the unnecessary walkway that was built next to a highway.



2. The walkway that stops in the middle of nowhere

   In order to promote walking in a neighbourhood, the continuity of walkway infrastructure must be addressed. Figure 6 shows a walkway that ends abruptly. This situation must be avoided at all time.



3. Missing buffer or bollards along a walkway adjourning to a motorized vehicles’ lanes

   Safety and security are important to pedestrians. To avoid crimes such as snatch thieves and being hit by motorized vehicles, buffer or bollards should be provided at these walkways. Figure 5 shows the missing buffer or bollards.

Conclusion

Meeting all the first and the second needs will motivate people to walk more. Once the third needs are achieved, the motivation will reach the actualization. Walking should be taken for granted. It should be well thought of in order to promote people to walk more in a neighbourhood or workplace or commercial area.

Acknowledgment

The author wishes to thank the University of Malaya for grant no. LL039-18SUS.

References

BBC News. (2019). 'UK's first' 3D zebra crossing created in St John's Wood. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-47402269

Foster, S., Knuiman, M., Hooper, P., Christian, H., & Giles-Corti, B. (2014). Do changes in residents' fear of crime impact their walking? Longitudinal results from RESIDE. Preventive Medicine, 62, 161-166. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.02.011

Litman, T. A. (2003). Economic Value of Walkability Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1828, 3-11.

Maciejczyk, M., Wiecek, M., Szymura, J., & Szygula, Z. (2016). Effect of Body Composition on Walking Economy. 17(4), 222. doi:https://doi.org/10.1515/humo-2016-0034

Written by : Rosilawati Zainol

Centre for Sustainable Urban Planning and Real Estate, Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Kurusus ini bertujuan memberi pendedahan kepada peserta mengenai pengetahuan kejuruteraan tapak pelupusan sisa pepejal mengenai pemahaman aspek-aspek teknikal yang perlu diberikan perhatian dalam memilih lokasi, kaedah pencegahan,kaedah pembinaan dan kaedah penyelenggaraan. Selain itu, peserta juga didedahkan tentang rekabentuk dan pembinaan sesebuah tapak pelupusan dan mengetahui tentang teknologi yang digunakan. Jutaan terima kasih kepada penceramah yang memberi pencerahan tentang kursus tersebut iaitu Puan Siti Norain Binti Abdullah ( Bahagian Sisa Binaan SWCORP HQ ) dan Encik Mohd Safrizal Bin Umar ( Bahagian Fasiliti SWCORP HQ ). Pihak Kami Juga ingin mengucapkan jutaan terima kasih kepada pihak KUB-Berjaya Enviro Sdn Bhd ( Tapak Pelupusan Bukit Tagar ) kerana memberi kebenaran dan memberi pendedahan tentang tapak pelupusan sewaktu lawatan di Bukit Tagar.

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Kursus ini bertujuan memberi pendedahan dan kefahaman kepada peserta mengenai Akta 341 bertujuan untuk membuat peruntukan yang perlu bagi Jabatan Perkhidmatan Bomba berfungsi dengan berkesan dan cekap, untuk melindungi manusia dan harta daripada risiko kebakaran dan untuk tujuan-tujuan yang berkaitan dengannya. Peserta mampu mengadaptasi dan mengaplikasikan ilmu untuk meningkatkan perkhidmatan agar lebih cekap dan efisyen. Jutaan terima kasih kepada barisan penceramah iaitu Tuan Syafiq bin Hashim (BUU, KPKT), Tuan Mohd Yasser (BUU,KPKT), Tuan Che Alhafizol bin Che Ismail ( BOMBA, Putrajya ) dan Puan Anom Faizura binti Mohd Hizam (BOMBA, Putrajaya) serta para peserta kerana telah bersama-sama menjayakan kursus ini.