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Poor urban planning, a wall to break to achieve sustainable development in Malaysian cities


Rainy days became my enemy during my three-month stay in KL for my internship. Between 4 and 5 p.m., the walk to the MRT station from my workplace and the walk back to my apartment from another MRT station became a warzone, both physically and mentally.


I still remember the moisture in my shoes and the raindrops sticking to my skin as I walked along uneven and pothole-ridden roads, followed by narrow pavements obstructed by trees and electricity poles. 


The highlight of the journey? Cars being inches away from you like they are your best friends.


In Malaysia, it is not strange to see pedestrians and cyclists weaving their way along and around vehicles. Malaysians essentially share the roads with automobiles, and they have long become accustomed to it. 


What seems to be the norm is a result of poor urban planning and management, threatening the Malaysia Madani motion of achieving sustainability by 2030 through the concept of smart and green cities. 


During my recent trip to Japan, I remember walking around parts of Tokyo, surrounded by pedestrians and cyclists going about their days with ease. There were proper pedestrian lanes and crosswalks, seamlessly connected to public spaces such as parks and other amenities. Cars were barely in sight.


I felt extremely relaxed and safe going from one place to another without obstructions- an experience I could never get if I were to ‘jalan-jalan’ around KL or other cities in Malaysia.


Unlike Tokyo and other European cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Frankfurt, cities in Malaysia are extremely car-dependent. According to a Focus Malaysia article, the country’s car centric culture dates back to the post-Merdeka era (1960’s to 1990’s). 


Kuala Lumpur’s first two transport studies were conducted by an Australian consultancy firm in 1964 and an American consultancy firm in 1974. Both firms had instilled car-oriented development, leading to the government prioritising road space over pedestrian spaces and public transportation.


The establishment of Malaysia’s first car manufacturer, Proton, in the 80’s, accelerated the trend. The introduction of tax incentives and low-interest loans to boost the sales of locally manufactured cars made them more affordable than imported cars, encouraging widespread ownership.


Even if people were to walk, the road infrastructure is not necessarily pedestrian-friendly. The absence of proper and well-paved footpaths, crossings, crosswalks, and refuge islands in many parts of the cities (that are not near malls and tourist spots) is concerning. 


While policymakers have made efforts in recent years to improve public transportation to cut down on the use of private vehicles as an effort to reduce carbon emissions, they often overlook the enhancement of walkability as another way towards sustainability.


Designing and constructing walkable roads in the first place would be cheaper due to low construction and maintenance costs, as compared to expanding roads, building new highways, or investing heavily in large-scale public transport systems.


As a result, they would now need to double the cost and effort to enhance and maintain the infrastructure for public transportation, which often experiences breakdowns, delays and overcrowding. From previous Budget announcements, the government has allocated RM4.7 billion for public transport initiatives for Budget 2024 and RM750 million for Budget 2025. 


The issue of walkability is not the only problem arising from poor urban planning. 


The 2024 Think City and World Bank’s joint policy paper, ‘Better Cities For Greater Growth: Rethinking Malaysian Cities For Sustainable Development,’ reports that Malaysian cities are facing negative externalities due to poor city planning, with congestion remaining the top, long-standing issue in cities. 


Vehicle owners may recall the dread of rush hours, anger and frustration knocking at their skulls while they try their best not to honk at the long line of vehicles in front of them.


Yet, the authorities are proceeding to widen roads and build more highways as solutions to tackle congestion, following their predecessors' footsteps in inefficient urban planning. 


In recent years, the government has approved several expressway projects, including the Bangi-Putrajaya Expressway, the 60 km West Ipoh Span Expressway (WISE) linking Gopeng to Kuala Kangsar, the 53 km Sungai Klang Link Elevated Highway, and the latest expansion of the North-South Expressway (PLUS), which extends 41km from Simpang Renggam to Yong Peng Utara.

 

But we all know that will not solve the problem in the long run. Worse, such solutions cause more problems. 


With existing automotive policies encouraging people to own private vehicles, more cars would occupy the road. Take for example the subsidisation of RON95, which is set to continue, as announced by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the recent tabling of Budget 2025. 


Furthermore, owning a car is fairly cheaper in Malaysia, unlike Singapore, where car ownership permit requirements and tariffs on imported cars are enforced. Malaysia also imposes tariffs on imported cars; however, the government keeps the prices of national cars low for consumers by providing incentives and tax exemptions. 


Ultimately, cheaper fuel and accessible car ownership encourage people to drive more and prompt non-vehicle owners to purchase automobiles. 


Economically speaking, longer travel time translates into a loss of productivity and a surge in freight and transportation costs. In an article published in March, theSun reports that the economic toll of traffic congestion ranges from 1.1% to 2.2% of gross domestic product. 


From an environmental perspective, this leads to higher carbon and pollutant emissions, a reduction of green spaces, and an increase in the urban heat island effect. (Yikes!)


The latest appearance of sinkholes across KL is also another example that highlights the country’s poor urban planning. 


Rapid urban development in cities, especially in KL, has exerted immense pressure on the infrastructure due to continuous construction and expansions. 


Alongside poor drainage designs and unstable soil conditions, this has resulted in excessive water erosion and subsurface instability, creating conditions ripe for a sinkhole to form over time. 


This phenomenon challenges the readiness of Malaysian cities to deal with climate change.


So what can be done?


Authorities can start by developing and adopting walkable and bikeable infrastructures. With increased connectivity, people would be more inclined to get to key destinations through walking.


Features such as adequate lighting and pedestrian guard rails should also be considered to enhance visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.


In addition, thoughtful land use planning can help improve and promote walkability. Utilising existing plots of land or repurposing underutilised spaces such as parking lots into pedestrian-friendly areas with shops, cafes, community gardens, and parks would provide citizens with a better walking experience and an opportunity to connect socially.


As a result, people would also be less dependent on cars as opting to walk or cycle ultimately minimises costs. 


Investing in technology such as data analytics and digital mapping can help city planners and engineers make informed decisions on construction and land use. These technologies will also aid them in enhancing infrastructure design and inspections to detect vulnerabilities in underground utilities, which include sewage systems and water pipes.


Of course, investment alone is not enough. Municipalities must also practise proactive maintenance to identify and prevent hazardous incidents like sinkholes before it is too late. 


The Urban Sustainability Index, generated by MURNInets in 2021, states that two-thirds of Malaysian cities (out of 127) are sustainable while the remaining cities are moderately sustainable. But looking at all the above problems, are they truly sustainable? 


Malaysia still has a long way to go before its cities achieve sustainability. However, with smart urban planning made possible by policy changes and government-private sector collaborations, the livelihoods of Malaysians can be improved slowly but gradually. 


By

Amanda Lee,

Journalist,

Charisma Movement 23/24

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