What had I learned?

Whenever has a starting, it must have an ending. The same apply to this RPK 539 subject. After attending 15 consecutive weeks without failed, there are a lot of things that may change my life in the future that I had learned. The most important part is of course the sustainability issues which is not only about the protecting the environment as I had thought earlier. 

In the class I had learned that sustainability comprise 3 main aspects which is people, economic and environment. Then there are some others aspect that is exist between each of the aspect such as cultural, quality of life, built environment, energy/sources and also language. Language? Yes, based on my own readings, I found that the languages also are one of the sustainable aspects of the people that should be maintained for the future.

For example, my own Malay language is being used by about 250 million of people in the Nusantara region, mainly in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and some part of Thailand and Philippines. It is interesting to see this language to become one of the next major world language like the English, Spanish, Mandarin and Arabic. Even though the Government had initiates many actions to make the language sustain in the future, yet I still cannot understand why in some university or college the subject is taught in English. (sorry no offence here. =)). 

Will it ever happen in the future? 

Next, based on the subject taught by Dr Nurwati and the others, I had learned what are the current issues regarding sustainable framework. For example, the exploding of the urban population all over the world which no one could imagine it would threat the world resources badly. For example, in the Malaysia context; it is expected by the year 2020, about 75% of population will be live in the urban. As we all know, the urban consume what are the rural people produce. Now, what can we expect in the year 2020 if the 25% of the Malaysian population are being forced to work hardly just to feed the urban dweller? No one want imagine that. And nobody wants to become a slave for the people who think they are better than one another!

Not and never happen in Malaysia please.. =)

Rural is never destined to be consumed by the urban!

The next issue that is interested for me is the creative city as the next economic sources for Malaysia. We had discussed it earlier and I think that the creative industry in Malaysia should provide a better infrastructure and initiatives from the Government for the players in the industry. For an example video gaming. It is another creative industry aspect that can be introduced in Malaysia as the global gaming market nowadays exceeds 90 billion USD in sales per year. The gaming industry include the gaming designing which of course requires a lot of money. Generally (in my own readings), to design a game it would requires a publisher to invest around 20-30 million USD which involving the programming, designing, motion capture (just like movies) and publishing and marketing. 

The return however would be surprisingly higher based on the popularity and quality of the game. For example, the much controversy game, Grand Theft Auto V broke 1 billion USD in sales in just 3 days on the market and has broke the record as the fastest selling entertainment product in the world. In the context of Malaysia, we already have our own Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) which supervises all the multimedia related industry in Malaysia. By providing better infrastructure such as studios, lower taxes and publishing right, it is possible that many famous gaming studios in the world would set up here like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, just like in Singapore. We also have our own talents in various sources such as Lim Kok Wing University, Multimedia University and many other private college that serve as the large nucleus for the gaming industry in Malaysia. 

Game designing as the creative industry in Malaysia?

And lastly, the most important thing that I had learned is that anything we do in this world, it would be affect the life of the future generation. There is a quotes from my Geographic subject during Form 6: ‘even if u meditate alone in the cave, you will still interrupt the jungle” which in Malay as: “kalau kita bertapa dalam gua pun, kita mesti akan rosakkan tumbuhan-tumbuhan sekitar”. I still stand on this principle when it comes to planning and developing process. Like it or not, any development must have an impact to the environment; big or small. But what are most important is whether the development bring a better benefits for the people or not? If we just simply protecting the trees then, our people are starving without food then we must cut down the trees, clean the forest and make a good use of it (agriculture?). now that is what I call as the sustainability of mind. How we keep evolve our mind when it comes to new challenge, environment and times. I think that is enough for now. Thank you for spend your precious time reading my blog. =)

Me and my friends in Matang Mangrove Conservation Centre. =)

Seminar Paper: Sustainable Urban Landscapes

Sustainability in urban landscape design is become more essential and recognized in order to address the environmental issues which became much more serious nowadays. The urban landscapes are the space all around and between buildings, ranging from streets and squares to parks, gardens, urban woods, stream corridors, and many other types of green space.  Urban landscape perform many essential functions for urban dwellers such as provide shelter, cooling or shading, cleaning the air by filtering the pollutants, provide aesthetic values to occupants, spaces for social cohesion and use for various activities and also as habitat for urban wildlife.

Sustainable landscape incorporate human, nature and built environment 

The design processes will take into account several components of urban landscape that can be designed sustainably. The components are spaces, shelter, air movement, shading, drainage and many more. In terms of spaces, the design can optimize the usage of space around the buildings for accessibility          by creating an urban landscape that is pedestrian friendly and also universal design. In terms of shelter and shading, the natural shelter which is using tree as shelter will give shading and cooling effect to the environment in a sustainable way.

By using trees, the air movement in the landscape can be improved and reducing the usage of non-renewable energy for cooling the environment. In terms of drainage, by using grass and trees, the run-off water after rainfall can be reduced and absorbed properly. A well-designed landscape will attract the urban wildlife to make the landscape as their habitat. This will act as a medium for connection between the people and the natural environment. In fact, natural environment will help in reducing stress of working environment in urban areas such as help people to restore themselves during lunch or between working hours.

KLCC landscape - too artificial? 

By designing urban landscape in a sustainable way, environmental issues can be addressed. The urban landscape will be able to perform an important role in micro-climate improvement in which minimising the need for artificial air conditioning, improving filtration of storm water, providing shelter and many more. In other words, it can reduce the urban heat island effect.

Sustainability approach has been implemented in designing urban landscape in many countries around the globe. The approach is been implemented by designing the landscape that suits local environmental conditions, conserve water, avoiding use of harmful chemicals, minimizing the non-renewable energy consumption, use of sustainably and locally sourced products and materials and apply energy conservation, waste minimisation and pollution prevention in build and construct the landscape.

Back to basic - peace, calm and harmony landscape in Taiping

Wildlife Coservation in Bota Kanan

Back in the early stage of my blog, I have discusses about the wildlife conservation generally in the Malaysia perspective. In this entry I would like to discuss about the wildlife conservation in my hometown: The River Terrapin Conservation Centre in Bota Kanan. First of all, river terrapin is not a tiger. As the name suggest, it is actually a creature that live in the river. The river terrapin or its scientific name, Batagur Baska ia the native dweller in the beach along the Perak River, mainly near the Bota.

River Terrapin aka Tuntung

This creature resembles a lot like a turtles or tortoise. It lays its eggs in the sandy beach in a certain months in the year. It mainly a herbivore and its diet consist of the water spinach “kangkung” and the buah berembang which is easily available near the river. River terrapin also has become one of the main identities when people come to Bota Kanan as the population of this creature is said to be the largest in this area compare to the other location in Malaysia.

Tuntung Conservation Centre in Bota Kanan

However, due to the human activity in the Perak River, the population of this creature has decrease over the year. One of the reasons is the pollution in the river due to the logging activity in the upstream. When there is logging activity in the upstream, the mud from the logging area comes to the river during the rain. This has caused the river been polluted with the muddy water. The muddy water also affected the life of the river inhabitant such as fish, shrimp, and river muscles and of course the terrapin. Before I forgot, the local call this creature with “tuntung”.

Happy terappin in the pond. =)

Then, there is also the sand digging activity nearby which has caused much damaged to the terrapin habitat. Not only their habitat is actively shrinking over the years, the level of river also has become decrease and become warmer the deep of the river is now being exposed with the direct sunlight. The warmer water is not suitable for the young terrapin as they are very sensitive to the temperature changing.

The young terrapin also face serious threat from their major preys such as big fishes, predator birds, lizard and also human.  The human also take the young, premature eggs of terrapins to be eaten and is believed to have a good impact to their overall health based on their old believes.

Their precious eggs

To counter the issue, the Jabatan Perhilitan Malaysia have set up a wildlife conservation where in this place, the terrapin is collected and are protected from the human activity in its natural habitats. The centre also take an initiative to increase the population of the river terrapin by providing a specialized place for them to mates and produce the eggs that will be lay in the sandy pond. Once the egg is matured, the young terrapin wil be put in a separated pond to make them feels comfortable with the environment.

Tuntung's natural habitat. now being endangered.

In this centre, the young terrapin will be given some tags before they reach their suitable ages and released to the Perak River just like the sea turtles in Terengganu. The tags is functioned as the Ids for each terrapin so that the Jabatan Perhilitan would notice which one is the natural born and which one is born at the conservation centre. The data is very crucial as it reflects whether the works done by them are succeeded or not. Up to this day, the population of river terrapin in Perak River have increased even though there are many challenges to be faced. =)

“the harmony in the nature can only be achieved if we can coexist”

Creating Green Built Environment

What is green built environment? In my personal understanding, it can be described as the utilization of green aspect into the built environment such as building and infrastructures. The purpose of the greenery of these elements is of course to create such a sustainable environment where the designing the building for example, not necessary following the old ways. By doing so, the built environment will become much green, sustainable and provide better quality of life for people while we protecting our environment at the same time.

In these days, the term Green Building Index or GBI has become another catchy phrase in the development community; hence it has become one of the major seller points for the new housing or apartment in the big cities. As the people awareness about the environment sustainability increased, the need for such green built environment also has increased over years.

Urban Jungle? 

How do we create the green built environment? Well, to create such thing, we must have the justification to do so. As the world become more polluted and warmer than ever, then we just know that something is not right with the current development trends. The material we used the way we built and the way we maintain the building for example must be changed. To create the green built environment for example not an easy task. A lot of study is needed plus the huge amount of money is necessary to make the “sanctuary” come to live.

In the context of Malaysia, many building especially in Kuala Lumpur has been certified with the GBI certification. It is a proof that the building has been built and maintained sustainably without producing such a huge volume of pollution, namely the carbon dioxide. The other aspect, the infrastructure such as sewerage, roads, parking and the others are soon to be greened as well. The parking space for example, needs to be revolutionized as the current design is very bad in term of its drainage system.

The parking space in Malaysia mainly designed with the bitumen which makes it easier for the wheeled vehicles to get through. However, as the bitumen are really hard it is very difficult for the surface runoff water (during rains) to sip through it. During the heavy rains, the major problem occur as the large amount of water cant go through it, plus the current drainage system is very poorly designed, then the flash flood will happen. This what had happen in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam and Kuantan as the flash flood will occur in these cities if the rain continues for several hours. Do we need to sustain the current design and maintain of the parking space for example, if we already know that the design is not very suitable in the context of Malaysian weather?

Flash flood in Kuala Lumpur

The green parking solution?

Planning and designing are flexible aspect in development process. It can be changed depending on the suitable to the environment, cultural and the times. We cannot be too rigid and just follow the textbook even though we already know what the consequences are. The by not using the bitumen and replaced them with the grass for example, might changed the situation to become better. Yes, it will be difficult to be implemented in the early stages as many problems will occur (maintenance, not proven and money constraints) but it is very crucial thing to do if we want to revolutionize our built environment to make it become sustainable to suit for the future. =)

“medicine is harsh but the patience may requires it in order to live”

Renewable Energy and Resources

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy can be defined as the energy that comes from the sources which are abundant and can be renewable as long as the sources are available. It can come from various sources such as solar, wave, wind, river (hydro power), geothermal and also the biomass sources. The main purpose for this renewable energy is to generate electricity, since most of our electricity sources come from fossil based such as petroleum and liquid natural gas (LNG). By depending on these two sources, it is seen as not sustainable way as these sources are not renewable and are expected to be exhausted by the next few decades.

Oil and Gas are the main energy sources in the world

Many countries have come with different ways in order to counter the limitation caused by the fossil based resources. Apart from being too expensive, the petroleum also for example is the main reason for the air pollution, caused by the car and other vehicles that use petrol and diesel as their power sources. Since the introduction of cars back in the late 19^th century, this manmade machine has now conquered roads all over the world. The car is no longer seen as the luxury item yet it is a must for a person nowadays.

Because of these, many develop countries such as United States, Japan and France have found another ways of generating electricity. One of the popular yet too expensive ways is by using the nuclear power plant to produce electricity. However, many environment activist opposed this method as it is very risky due to the radiation from the power plant. Still remember what had happen to the Fukushima Daichii Power Plant back in 2011? =)

In Malaysia Context

In the context of Malaysia, majority of the electricity is generated from the hydropower where there are a lot of hydro dam allocated across the country such as Kenyir Dam, Temenggor Dam and the biggest in the region – the Bakun Dam which has recently put some aborigines live in deep Sarawak jungle in damnation (sorry). Because of the location of our country in the Equatorial zone, we have received a lot of rains each year which ultimately a very important sources for generating the hydro dam.The usage of the hydro electric have keep the electrics tariff in Malaysia is generally cheap since the last 20 years. Until recently, the Government has decided to increase the tariff by a little margin to cover the increase of the global oil and gas however.

Bakun Dam, Sarawak

When we discussed about the Malaysia context, the usage of the hydroelectric dam even though it is cheap and are the main renewable sources of the country, it still have a bad implication to the environment. The dam, for example cannot be existed naturally. We must clean the forest; create such a large buffer zone to ‘hold’ the river water so that the electric can be produced. This has created such a massive lost of forest area as most of them are being sunk with the manmade lake. For example the Banding Lake in northern Perak once has some villages, mainly the aborigine’s people. Once the Temenggor Dam is completed, all of the villages has gone and sunk in a deep Banding Lake. That is just one example of the impact form the construction of hydroelectric dam.

Energy is harvested from the wind

One must know how to revolutionize the current method of electricity generating so that it can become more sustainable to environment and also beneficial the people fairly. For example, we can turn into another renewable source that is abundant in Malaysia: the biomass. In my opinion the biomass can be the ‘next generation’ of electricity generation sources as it is easily available in the country. The biomass is the process of producing the electricity from the leftover such as food and agricultural product that are ‘fermented’ in a certain period of time. When the leftover is fermented, the chemical reaction released certain gasses that collectively can be used as the electricity sources (think about the LNG method).

The sources are taken from the pulp of the oil palm which has been process and can be found in a very large quantity in Malaysia. Since the oil palm industries has become a major agriculture industry in the nation, so one might wonder what had happen to the leftover. A part from seen as the next sustainable element in the Malaysian industry, it can also produce the electricity form something that we thought as the rubbish before. For me, that is how we can sustain in the future in the case of the shortage of oil and gas to produce the electricity. Yes, it might not be comparable to those two in term of the quantity BUT at least it is another aspect that we had exploited for ourselves into the better future. (OK la daripada takde apa) =)

Oil palm pulp as the biomass sources in Malaysia?

Sustainable Public Transport

Nowadays public transport has become another important part in people live. Public transport, particularly in Malaysia comprises the bus, taxi, train and its big families, aeroplane and also ships. It has become an alternative for people to travel from one place to another. It is also seen as the sustainable ways of travelling as it can accommodate a large number of people at a generally low cost and less carbon footprint compare to the private vehicle.

Public Transport in Kuala Lumpur

Seeing the importance of the public transport to increase the socioeconomic of the urban dwellers, the Government have initiates a key strategy under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) in 2010 to provide a better public transport facilities not only for the urban but also for the sub-urban people. These are the main community that used the public transport for different used; work, study, play or shopping and all of the people is expecting the Government to improve the public transport service across the country

Public Transport in Seri Iskandar

Seri Iskandar is a newly emerged town in Perak. It is located around 10 kilometres from Bota Kanan, my hometown. The increasing population due to the rapid development has made this town as the town with huge potential to be developed in the future. With the current population of 16,000 plus with the huge numbers of student from the UiTM Seri Iskandar and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), there is an urge for the better public transport, but the current situation? Worst.

Welcome to Seri Iskandar

The current public transport services is provided by the bus and taxi. The public bus however are operated indepently by 3 major provider; the General Omnibus, Perak Transit and MaraLiner. Only Maraliner serve across the district of Perak Tengah, which mean it travel form one point to another point within the district. Meanwhile, the other two only serve Seri Iskandar as their ‘stop by’ point on their way from Ipoh to Lumut and vice versa. The taxi service however very poor as you hardly can find any taxi on the streets, and the fares are very high even for just a few kilometres.

Perak Transit that serve the Seri Iskandar residents

Then there is become a problem. With such a massive development currently being construct, plus with the huge population (16,000 + 15,000 IPT student) one would expect the public transportation service would never been this worst. Take an example of the public bus service. Even though there are many public bus available from Ipoh to Lumut, but there is no single public bus service that serve the route within the town of Seri Iskandar. The reason from the officials are clear : there is no demand for such thing.

Yes the DEMAND is the main reason for any company to do their service. The same logic happens for the public bus company. Nobody wants to do a loss business. In the capitalism theory, the profit is the main reason for everybody to do business. Now that what I call as the evil in the economic system. You just focused on the good benefits for the economic side only without considering the effect to the people and the environment. How can we call that as the sustainability?

Seri Iskandar in next 20 years? Hopefully!

In order to urge the people to use the public transport, we must create the demand. This can be done by simply make the public bus serve the roads in the suburban or in the housing area continually. At the long time, people will notice that the public bus service is available at their location and there is no reason for them to depend on their car or motorcycles. This is a psychological war, when we create something that people might think it is available. Eventually, the demand is there as more and more people would notice the availability of the public bus service in their area.

Yes, it would not be profitable business in the early stages. But when it comes to provide a better service for the people than noting would stop this. In my opinion, even though this theory seems radical or ‘tidak masuk akal’ but I believe this is the best alternative to make people use the public transport rather than use the conventional ways such as petrol increase, toll payment and parking charged for the private vehicles which might give little impact to them to use the public transport. In the end, this does not apply in the context of Seri Iskandar, but also for the whole Malaysia if not the whole world if we want to make people use the public transport. =)

“by using the public transport, doesn't necessary it indicates you a poor person”

Public Participation in Malaysia

Public participatory is the definition for the community that can join or participating in the planning process. Put it in the simple context: the people have a voice in any planned development. In the western countries such as in United Kingdom, the people awareness about their responsibility and their power is just a big leap comparing to Malaysian. There, they have a vocal whether to agree or to object any development surrounds them. Of course, before doing so, they must have an education or study on the something that they agreed or disagreed with.

In the context of Malaysia, the current public participatory environment is vey “calm” as people are seen not very interested in the process. Well, this is also one of the aspect of democracy: you have right to voice out your opinion, even in the planning process. For example, when the developer planned to built a 100 story of super tall building next to your house, of course you will be objected as the building may cover up your house from the sunlight, wind and the best view that you enjoyed before this. What more important are the side effect of the development that you don’t want: pollution and congestion.

Should people shut their mouth over this kind of situation?

Then, that is the time when the public participatory play a major role in objection the development of such taller building. If the both side agree, the case can be settled in the court where both side must justify why they agree or disagree with the development. This, however doesn’t come easily as the developer will do anything within their power to make the project become reality no matter what. This is because of the name and prestige that they want to keep. They don’t want to be the loser side when the project is ultimately objected and abandoned. It will be hard for them to find another project in the future. The Malay says: susah nak cari makan!

 Then, there is also a interference from the government to protect the development, especially when it comes to the government own project. They will do anything to keep the project run on it scheduled. Many cases had happen before when the Government interfere, then nothing much public can do. There is no need to give an example because it is such sensitive issues. Opps!

Pople's power? =)

Back to our discussion, the public participatory in the country is relatively weak because of all the reasons above. Plus, the people seems don’t care the development around them as long as it doesn’t involving their land. Then this is a serious problem. Too much selfishness in the community may lead to our own disastrous future. Who can assure that the current development may good or bad for us in the future? Nobody can become a fortune teller. That is why the serious public participatory in any planning process is very important. They can give you opinion, feedback and suggestion regarding your proposed development. With this, the developer or government may know what are the flaws in their proposed development and the solve for the problems. Settle!

For the conclusion, a strong yet educated public participatory involving various NGOs in Malaysia is needed if we believe that the future may be bright for us. =)

“What we do today will become history in the future”

Urban Governance and Management

Introduction

In essence, urban governance is the integration of effort between the community, private sector and city-region authorities where the urban authorities perform the coordinating role and determine the quality of the macroeconomic environment and location that is favorable attract investors and people. In most cases, the private sector provides the much needed financial assistance and business expertise to operate independently or in association with the public sector. 

The community provides the individuals who are employees, consumers or are beneficiaries of the governance process. A more integrative approach, one that goes beyond the boundaries of the different departments (inter-departmental cooperation), should replace this political system. Andersen and Van Kempen (2003) distinguish a number of changes that mark the shift from urban government to urban governance:

i. A replacement of universality policies by targeted policies.

ii. A growing use of covenants as policy regulation.

iii. An attempt to integrate policy fields from various departments into a unitary project organization.

iv. A focus on the empowerment of residents and of cities and specific neighborhoods.

In summary, urban governance is strategies are achievable through the process integration all sectors including public, private and other social organisations. To accomplish the desired outcome, this integration results in an effective and efficiently managed city. Thus it contributes to economic development, stabilization and welfare, bringing the transparency of decision-making process, social participation, openness, finance equilibrium and law being obeyed to.

Integrated mechanisms, processes and institutions, through which citizens and social groups might state their preferences, negotiate solutions of their contradictions and make use of their constitutional rights, as well as realize their duties, is also being understood as the urban governance.

Issues of Kuala Lumpur City-Region Development

Rapid rate of urbanization 

Urbanization in Malaysia has developed rapidly especially during the last two decades whereby the rate of urbanization 

has increased from 54.3% to 65.4% between 1991-2000. This is expected to increase to 75% by 2020. The increase in 

population will mostly concentrate in major conurbations such as Kuala Lumpur City Region, Georgetown, Johor Bahru 

and Kuantan. The high rate of population increase requires the development of new areas for housing, social amenities, 

commercial and other urban land uses. The lack of clear urban limits has led to the creation of urban sprawl encroaching 

upon environmentally sensitive areas, major agricultural areas and areas unsuitable for development.

Rapid urbanization may affect the efficiency of urban governance (Mexico City) 

Ineffective urban governance

National Urbanisation Policy of Malaysia proposed with the rapid pace of urbanization by 2020, urban governance is 

faced with various complex challenges a head. These challenges require that the respective parties be more focused in 

undertaking parties be more focused in undertaking each and every responsibility in urban development. However, the 

involvement of multiple agencies and departments in urban management had made it difficult to coordinate many 

actions and in turn affects the effectiveness of those actions. Good urban administration and management also need to 

take into consideration the capability of each local authority as each local authority as each differs in terms of 

manpower, skills and financial capacity to provide good service for its population. There is wide gap between the 

expectation of the community and the ability of the local authority to fulfill those expectations.

Inefficient transportation system

The Road and Transport Department of Malaysia stated that the total number of registered vehicles for Malaysia was 

14.8 million in 2012. Out of this, 47% comprised of motorcycles, 44% were private cars while the remainder were 

commercial and other vehicles. The large number of private vehicle ownership puts pressure on the capacity of the 

existing road network especially for larger conurbations like Kuala Lumpur City Region and Georgetown. Furthermore, 

inefficient public transportation resulted in the tendency for the urban population to opt for private vehicles instead of 

the public transport. 

Inefficient Traffic Management in Beijing, 2010

Declines in quality of living for urban dweller

The decline in quality of living in urban areas is one of the major issues that arise out of poor management of urban development. For a town to be both viable and sustainable it is necessary to provide quality support infrastructure and a high quality of living derived from the provision of adequate housing, education, recreation and health facilities. In respect of the provision of housing, the main issue is the lack of housing for the low income group. Although the supply of housing is generally in excess of actual demand, the supply of housing for the urban poor is still insufficient as the price of these houses is beyond the reach of this group.

What should we do? 

Because of the problems related to the urban governance and management keep increasing over time, it is very crucial for the Malaysia government to tackle these issues as soon as possible. not only it may damage the whole quality of life of the urban dweller but what we are fear is that it might also damaging the socioeconomic of the people in the whole country. Many actions can be taken by the government, especially in the context of Kuala Lumpur, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall should be established to administer urban growth and development a various levels particularly the local authority level. This will ensure that the value of assets, economy, social and the environment will be maintained and value-added towards attaining sustainable urban centers in Malaysia. 

The local authority, as the main agency responsible to urban management, needs to update the administration and management system to optimize its financial revenue including new sources, upgrade its capacity to enable towns to become more competitive and viable, strengthen human resources by employing skilled and experienced staff as well as expand the use of technology. 

Malaysia can learn form Singapore about good urban governance perhaps?

"the good governance may reflect by the success of the nations and perhaps will reflect with the better quality of life of its people"

=)

Sustainable Community and Neighbourhood

Sustainable Community

What is the sustainable community? According to the Institute for Sustainable Comunities, the term of "sustainable community" can be define as: 

"A sustainable community is one that is economically, environmentally, and socially healthy and resilient. It meets challenges through integrated solutions rather than through fragmented approaches that meet one of those goals at the expense of the others. And it takes a long-term perspective—one that's focused on both the present and future, well beyond the next budget or election cycle."

As a result, a sustainable community manages its human, natural, and financial resources to meet current needs while ensuring that adequate resources are equitably available for future generations. It seeks:

• A better quality of life for the whole community without compromising the well being of other communities.
• Healthy ecosystems.
• Effective governance supported by meaningful and broad-based citizen participation.
• Economic security.

Sustainable community can be equated to a "perfect society" where it can solve any problems that may happen if they follow the rule of this sustainable community. to create such a sustainable community is theoretically easy where we can suggest anything but good policies related to the sustainable issues. however, when it comes to the implementation, little are known about the success of this theory. 

The Government of the United Kingdom defines a sustainable community in its 2003 Sustainable Communities Plan: "Sustainable communities are places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment, and contribute to a high quality of life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer equality of opportunity and good services for all."

Existing patterns of urban and suburban development seriously impair our quality of life. The symptoms are: more congestion and air pollution resulting from our increased dependence on automobiles, the loss of precious open space, the need for costly improvements to roads and public services, the inequitable distribution of economic resources, and the loss of a sense of community. By drawing upon the best from the past and the present we can first, infill existing communities, and second, plan new communities that will more successfully serve the needs of those who live and work within them. 

In the context of Malaysia, I may found it is difficult to implement this policies at the moment. Malaysian, unlike any othe developing contries, still unaware about the importance of being sustainability in many aspects of life. They (including  me) may think that protect the environment and recycling is the sustainability, without knowing that is just the surface or the skin of the sustainable. For the sustainable community issue, as we live in multicultural environment, it is not an easy task to implement such an idea. It make takes along time for us to fully adapt the sustainable way in our community. 

It can be concluded that community development is an important aspect in the development of a country. Reflection on the future stability of the country has actually discovery through the current realities of the communities in our country. In order to meet the housing needs of an increasingly demand with the increasing number of the population, especially in urban and suburban areas , the multi-storey housing development is seen as the best solution. But negligence in fulfilling the quantity , the quality is sometimes at stake . Quality impairments including housing element will have implications for the development of the community in the area. Recommendations for improving sustainable community development in general and specifically in the area of community development planning studies that apply directly to each residential development in particular areas of high density housing to ensure the well being of the family unit and the community secure and protected for the survival of the community.

“We cannot hope to create a sustainable culture with any but sustainable souls.”

=)

Universal Design

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design involves designing products and spaces so that they can be used by the widest range of people possible. Universal Design evolved from Accessible Design, a design process that addresses the needs of people with disabilities. Universal Design goes further by recognizing that there is a wide spectrum of human abilities. Everyone, even the most able-bodied person, passes through childhood, periods of temporary illness, injury and old age. By designing for this human diversity, we can create things that will be easier for all people to use.

Who Does Universal Design Benefit?

Everyone. Universal Design takes into account the full range of human diversity, including physical, perceptual and cognitive abilities, as well as different body sizes and shapes. By designing for this diversity, we can create things that are more functional and more user-friendly for everyone. For instance, curb cuts at sidewalks were initially designed for people who use wheelchairs, but they are now also used by pedestrians with strollers or rolling luggage. Curb cuts have added functionality to sidewalks that we can all benefit from.

What can be Universally Designed?

Everything.

1. Universal Design can apply to anything that can be designed, including products like door handles, kitchen utensils and smartphones. To learn more about Universally Designed products, take a look at our product reviews.
2. Universal Design can be applied to architecture and the built environment, including public and commercial buildings, as well as residential buildings and family homes. Universal Design can also help older adults concerned with Aging in Place by designing products and spaces that are safer and easier for them to use. 
3. Universal Design can also be applied to the community at large through urban planning and public transportation.

What can be learned for Malaysia? 

In Malaysia perspective, the term of universal design still seems like the 'alien word" as many of us (including myself) would thought that the UD is only for the disable people. Many building, even in the much lauded "Intelligent Garden City" - Putrajaya still lack of these elements. Maybe the designers of that time never thought that no disable people would come to Putrajaya and design it just for the young, energetic and healthy people (for example)? 

in many city in Malaysia also, the application of universal design in the public building is relatively low. in the hypermarket for example, the walkway for the people with the wheelchair is unfriendly and has cause many complaints because of the design are very poor. Even the law is already been enforced, but the implementation from the architect (the designer) and the contractor (builder) is very far away from reaching the standard. however, as the people become more educated, the level of awareness has  increase in the few years ago.

An Example of application of universal design in public building in Putrajaya

Let us hope that the universal deign will become one of the compulsory in the process of Planning Permission (Kebenaran Merancang) in the future. there are no other way that we can "force" the designer or the builder to apply the design into their building as they may seen it as unprofitable yet may worsen their overall masterpiece and state-of-the-art building design. 

"we live in the same world with the others, yet we must respect the other as Allah created the world for us to know each other" 

=)

p/s : all the pictures used in this entry are taken from Google. while the footnote wisdom intelligent creative yet so "memerah otak" quote is mine. thanks. :3

Creative City : Malaysia Context

Introduction

According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Creative Economy Report 2008, “cultural industries” are regarded as industries that “combine the creation, production and commercialisation of contents which are intangible and cultural in nature. These contents are typically protected by copyright and they can take the form of goods or services”. An important aspect of cultural industries, according to Unesco, is that they are “central in promoting and maintaining cultural diversity and in ensuring democratic access to culture”. 

This twofold nature – combining the cultural and the economic – gives cultural industries a distinctive profile. And Malaysia, of all countries, surely has deep resources when it comes to developing such cultural industries. As a country with a diverse in cultural thanks to the multicultural population, Malaysia should take this opportunity to enhance the existing creative industries which are comprise many aspect especially in the filming, theater, painting (including the wall painting and mural), traditional handicraft, and many others element including the booming multimedia art which include cartoon and gaming industries. 

What Malaysia can learn?

When we talking about creative industries, dont limit our mind with only art, music, performing and so on. in the context of globalization of our creative industries, one must know what are the potential of our unique cultural that can be exploited and become another multi-billionaire industries. for example, the batik industry which is famous back then in the Eastern Region of Peninsula Malaysia since the batik or sarong is the traditional costume of the Malay community, especially the fishermen community in Terengganu and Kelantan. This batik, ie very unique in design as it utilize the natural motive in its pattern, such as flower, forest plants and also the animals such as bird peacock. (based on my observation on my mom's collection of kain batik). 

Example of Kain Batik

No other people except the batik expert can design such a smooth yet beautiful batik which has become a major economic sources for the people in Terengganu back then. However, because of lack support (maybe?) from the government, then the current situation is now worsen like Malay proverb says "hidup segan, mati tak mahu". Nowadays, the batik has become another tourism commodity / attraction where tourist from all over the world come to Malaysia particularly Terengganu just to watch how the batik is made (mencanting batik) and that's all! They just come, watch and buy it. It is unfortunate to see one of our creative industry sources has become like that.

Kin Batik is being made in traditional way

Apart from being wear by the government servant in the Thursday every week (during Pak Lah administration), I dont see people would like to wear the batik anymore like the old days. it is very different in Indonesia, where the Batik is like their national treasure even though they lose the Batik copyright to Malaysia a few years ago. Well that's a different story, but the important part is the people awareness about their culture and their very own unnique product, on how they exploit it to become a national identity. Well, for me, that is what we call of the SUSTAINABILITY. you have your very own resources or products then you would do anthirng within your own power on how to  make it sustain for a long period of time.  

World leaders in Baju Batik. =)

As the conclusion, when we talking about the creative industries in Malaysia, the elements and resources are there, but the main "machiney" to move them up to a whole new level is very weak. Not only because of the goverment which has tried very hard before to improve our creative industry, but also because of US, the Malaysian who are still blur about the importance of these elements and resources to be protected in the context of creative city. 

"people will notice your creativity when they learn something that you are creating from nothing"

=)

p/s : all the pictures used in this entry are taken from Google. while the footnote wisdom intelligent creative yet so "memerah otak" quote is mine. thanks. :3