When the schedule of visit to Kaohsiung City includes the river cruise of Love River with solar-powered motor boat, I thought the river must be of quality similar to the Theme River of London or at least Singapore River. However, It proved me wrong. The water quality of the river is not that fantastic and if I could made a comparison, it is similar to the Melaka River cruise.
Having said this, if we knew the background of Love River, then perhaps we should think again that great work has been done and really fast. From the sewer line catering to the discharge of waste water from most of the households in Kaohsiung, the intake of waste water to this river has been reduced tremendously. Waste from household was treated at the up stream with biological approach before channelling into Love River. The river bank was landscaped and provided with a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian lane network. The buildings along the river are lighted up and designed with unique sculture. The community activities are back and bring more life to the river side. It becomes a toursit destination. All these have transformed the once dead sewer line into a river with life flowing through the city centre. I believe the transformation will change the city scape and facade of Kaohsiung City, after all this city was once known as city with seaside.
River rehabilitation is not a project dependent solely on engineering solution. It requires multiple approaches and involvement of various stakeholders. While we have to make the project commercially viable with more economic activities and return, we must also have the active community participation.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
NGO in Kaohsiung
Voluntarism in Kaohsiung as shown by the NGO and community members are of no match compared to any cities in Malaysia, I observed. Listening to the volunteers and observing their eagerness in carrying out community acitivities in the parks, stations, public place or even places of interest to tourists is so amazing. It is an instinct response from the heart and passion. I presume the success of many community and environmental initiatives in Kaohsiung is attributed partly by the volunteers.
Having said this, this spirit inculcalation is not possible without the support and encouragement of the City Government and general public. We witnessed how a former brown field site with high economic value at the city centre has been given to Wetland Taiwan to plan and manage as a wetland. We also witnessed how NGO and youth join hand to advocate for the renewal and conservation of Kaohsiung Port area, a dilapilated area due to the degrading of port related activities. Through their efforts and involvement, the existing station building turned into a railway museum and a former warehouse was used as art centre and theatre within the urban renewal site that will transform the port area into a modern inner city area of Kaohsiung. We were briefed by NGO who has been assigned to manage and educate general public on both places. Incentives are also given to fund and to encourage the NGO. I presume, Malaysian Local Authorities should learn how to treat NGO in providing city service as equal partners and to provide sufficient support for them to compliment the urban services. My experience is in most of the time, NGO are not perceived well and treated with suspicious. We always label them as someone trying to advocate different opinion than us and if not, at least to take advantage. For active and efficient contribution of NGO to take place, this perception should first be erased.
I believe urban management requires mutual understanding and cooperation amongst all stakeholders and NGO with the expertise and passion, should be given opportunities and resources for complimenting the works of Local Authorities as provided for under the Chapter 27, Agenda 21.
Having said this, this spirit inculcalation is not possible without the support and encouragement of the City Government and general public. We witnessed how a former brown field site with high economic value at the city centre has been given to Wetland Taiwan to plan and manage as a wetland. We also witnessed how NGO and youth join hand to advocate for the renewal and conservation of Kaohsiung Port area, a dilapilated area due to the degrading of port related activities. Through their efforts and involvement, the existing station building turned into a railway museum and a former warehouse was used as art centre and theatre within the urban renewal site that will transform the port area into a modern inner city area of Kaohsiung. We were briefed by NGO who has been assigned to manage and educate general public on both places. Incentives are also given to fund and to encourage the NGO. I presume, Malaysian Local Authorities should learn how to treat NGO in providing city service as equal partners and to provide sufficient support for them to compliment the urban services. My experience is in most of the time, NGO are not perceived well and treated with suspicious. We always label them as someone trying to advocate different opinion than us and if not, at least to take advantage. For active and efficient contribution of NGO to take place, this perception should first be erased.
I believe urban management requires mutual understanding and cooperation amongst all stakeholders and NGO with the expertise and passion, should be given opportunities and resources for complimenting the works of Local Authorities as provided for under the Chapter 27, Agenda 21.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Waste Management in Kaohsiung
Waste recycling rate in Kaohsiung jumped to 40% in year 2010 compared to 20% six years ago. This figure is very impressive and commendable. It means waste reduction, and hence waste disposal problem is solved at least by half. Knowing that the cost of collecting, transporting and disposal is getting higher, the strategies of getting less rubbish at source to be collected and disposed of is critical.
We were told that community participation is important impetus for a successful waste recycling programme. People must understand and willing to practice 3R as the norm of living. City Government is running various innovative publicity campaign and education programmes to raise public awareness. Apart from that, the low carbon lifestyle is impacted onto the people. Various incentives are given to people to shift to more environmental friendly lifestyle such as using solar heater, planting of trees, reducing the domestic waste, changing the consumption pattern of shopping and eating habit.
The polluter paid policy is also carried out in which polluters have to pay higher for substituting their wrong doing towards environment. For instance, waste generator is charged according to rubbish they produced. The residents are required to purchase plastic beg with size appropriate to their volume. The bigger size you required, the more you have to pay. Similarly, the use of plastic bag is discouraged through other legal and economic instruments such as stricter enforcement on waste generators.
All these happened because of commitment and leadership. Banning the use of plastic bag to some is equipped to political commit suicide, but to Kaohsiung City, the obligation towards environment is much more important than for political survival. I believe this spirit is very much needed if an effective 3R programme is envisioned.
We were told that community participation is important impetus for a successful waste recycling programme. People must understand and willing to practice 3R as the norm of living. City Government is running various innovative publicity campaign and education programmes to raise public awareness. Apart from that, the low carbon lifestyle is impacted onto the people. Various incentives are given to people to shift to more environmental friendly lifestyle such as using solar heater, planting of trees, reducing the domestic waste, changing the consumption pattern of shopping and eating habit.
The polluter paid policy is also carried out in which polluters have to pay higher for substituting their wrong doing towards environment. For instance, waste generator is charged according to rubbish they produced. The residents are required to purchase plastic beg with size appropriate to their volume. The bigger size you required, the more you have to pay. Similarly, the use of plastic bag is discouraged through other legal and economic instruments such as stricter enforcement on waste generators.
All these happened because of commitment and leadership. Banning the use of plastic bag to some is equipped to political commit suicide, but to Kaohsiung City, the obligation towards environment is much more important than for political survival. I believe this spirit is very much needed if an effective 3R programme is envisioned.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Transportation in Kaohsiung
The number of motorcycle in Kaohsiung City is out numbered the total population. More than 2 million motorcycles are found in the city. The presence of motorcycle is becoming an environmental haphazard and also dampened the efforts of the Government to encourage use of other mode of public transportation such as MRT train. Although the MRT train is networked well, its utilisation is very much well below the target. The company operating the MRT system is losing money. Having said this, the City Government is planning to further reduce the fare to encourage higher usage rather than to increase the fare to cross subsidial the loses. It is simply commendable as investing in public transportation is not as simple as figure shown, but more than a public social and environmental responsibility. It is a right move towards low carbon target.
The plan for cycling is equally impressive. To encourage cycling, the City Government has built well connected, safe and dedicated cycling path for the cyclists. In general, what cyclists are asking for is having a comfortable, safer and connectible route for commuting to work place or shop or study area from their place of living. Kaohsiung City is building a very comprehensive network of cycling path. Apart from that, the renting scheme of bicycle is also of help. Everybody can rent a bicycle at different bicycle station located adjacent to the strategic transportation area and places of interest such as MRT station, parks, schools, bus terminal and others. Anyone can have a free ride for half an hour and would only need to pay if the time excess half an hour. The pay is nominal. The station for returning the bicycle is convenient. The procedure for having the bicycle for temporary use is simple. Even ancilerrary services such as washroom for cyclists to change thier clothes is provided. All these contributed to higher and higher usage of bicycle as another alternative of transportation.
Currently 70% of residents in Kaohsiung is using motorcycle as their main mode of commuting. The City Government is looking at dispersing this percentage to other mode of transportation. These include walking, cycling, MRT and bus. Of course, motorcycle is not to be victimised in which incentive is given for the cyclists to shift their fuel driven motorcycle to the electric motorcycle. Apart from that, buses include the low platform one is plying the city with more route coverage. It is visible and easy to hop on.
On the pipeline also includes the building of LRT system, river transportation and compact city concept to discourage trip generation.
All the above are running now or is going to start. Action is taken. For a good execution, I believe nothing is more than to start it first immediately, and of course integration is important and critical.
The plan for cycling is equally impressive. To encourage cycling, the City Government has built well connected, safe and dedicated cycling path for the cyclists. In general, what cyclists are asking for is having a comfortable, safer and connectible route for commuting to work place or shop or study area from their place of living. Kaohsiung City is building a very comprehensive network of cycling path. Apart from that, the renting scheme of bicycle is also of help. Everybody can rent a bicycle at different bicycle station located adjacent to the strategic transportation area and places of interest such as MRT station, parks, schools, bus terminal and others. Anyone can have a free ride for half an hour and would only need to pay if the time excess half an hour. The pay is nominal. The station for returning the bicycle is convenient. The procedure for having the bicycle for temporary use is simple. Even ancilerrary services such as washroom for cyclists to change thier clothes is provided. All these contributed to higher and higher usage of bicycle as another alternative of transportation.
Currently 70% of residents in Kaohsiung is using motorcycle as their main mode of commuting. The City Government is looking at dispersing this percentage to other mode of transportation. These include walking, cycling, MRT and bus. Of course, motorcycle is not to be victimised in which incentive is given for the cyclists to shift their fuel driven motorcycle to the electric motorcycle. Apart from that, buses include the low platform one is plying the city with more route coverage. It is visible and easy to hop on.
On the pipeline also includes the building of LRT system, river transportation and compact city concept to discourage trip generation.
All the above are running now or is going to start. Action is taken. For a good execution, I believe nothing is more than to start it first immediately, and of course integration is important and critical.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Low Carbon City of Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung City of Taiwan is regarded as the emerging green force in amongst the low carbon cities. It has started an ambitious plan in reducing 30% of the carbon emission to 2005 base line by 2010 and further up to 50% by 2030. In doing so, multiple strategies have been formulated which focused on the green transportation, waste management, river rehabilitation, low carbon lifestyle, energy efficiency and green infrastructure. Few things impressed me the most are: -
1) Rehabilitation of Love River from a sewer line back to a river full with life and eclogical system
2) Integrated transportation system which is leaning towards the public mode of commuting
3) Waste reduction through incineration, reducing and recycling
4) Involvement of NGO and community especialy the youth in the environmental protection and community development is simply fantastic
5) Urban renewal on the idle railway station and reserve land which is NOT oriented towards massive redevelopment and building of new buildings
6) Transformation programmes of the city in reviving the dying economy of port activities is marvelous
7) Enthusiame and dedication shown by the city officers in developing the city into a low carbon city is felt strongly and visible.
I will discuss briefly the above one by one in my next blogs.
1) Rehabilitation of Love River from a sewer line back to a river full with life and eclogical system
2) Integrated transportation system which is leaning towards the public mode of commuting
3) Waste reduction through incineration, reducing and recycling
4) Involvement of NGO and community especialy the youth in the environmental protection and community development is simply fantastic
5) Urban renewal on the idle railway station and reserve land which is NOT oriented towards massive redevelopment and building of new buildings
6) Transformation programmes of the city in reviving the dying economy of port activities is marvelous
7) Enthusiame and dedication shown by the city officers in developing the city into a low carbon city is felt strongly and visible.
I will discuss briefly the above one by one in my next blogs.
Technical Tour of Taiwan
I am currently folloed the technical tour organised by the Malaysian Institute of Planners to visit Kaohsiung City of Taiwan. The City is an emerging green force to be recognised as one of the successful low carbon city in the making. Visit to Taipei City is also on the itinerary.
In Taipei, I found that tidiness is the order of the city, be it old or new down town area. I did not see much rubbish on the street and even the trash bin is no way to find. Apart from that, the vetical planting especially for the construction site is very common, perhaps it is mandatory for the project proponets to do so.
The thing impressed me the most is although motorcycle is used everywhere, it did not cause untidiness and uncomfortable to other road users. The parking of motorcycle is done properly on the street or even on the five foot way without obstructing the pedestrian and visitors of the shop. I believe while strict enforcement has to do with this, the culture and value for respecting the law and order of the society is implanted with the citizenry. This is something we, Malaysian should learn.
In Taipei, I found that tidiness is the order of the city, be it old or new down town area. I did not see much rubbish on the street and even the trash bin is no way to find. Apart from that, the vetical planting especially for the construction site is very common, perhaps it is mandatory for the project proponets to do so.
The thing impressed me the most is although motorcycle is used everywhere, it did not cause untidiness and uncomfortable to other road users. The parking of motorcycle is done properly on the street or even on the five foot way without obstructing the pedestrian and visitors of the shop. I believe while strict enforcement has to do with this, the culture and value for respecting the law and order of the society is implanted with the citizenry. This is something we, Malaysian should learn.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Definition of Urban Renewal
Recently I attended a briefing and workshop on the proposed urban renewal plan for Section 51, 51A, 52, Section 8, 7 and 14 of Petaling Jaya. About 200 people comprising representatives from the residents groups, individual, land owners, developers, agencies, MBPJ's councillors and staff attended the briefing done by appointed consultants by the State Government. The consultant supposed to present the preliminary findings about the study as well as letting people know the definition and meaning about urban renewal. It was told that urban renewal can be in the form of redevelopment and or rehabilitation and or regeneration. It is multiple approaches of reviving the life of a city or inner city which is experiencing the degradation of quality of services and life. It can be an industrial area which has been out lived its function or a residential area without proper infrastructure and facilities. It can be abandoned area with no economic activities forthcoming. It is not about redevelopment alone or to tear down the low rise building and to replace with the high density and high rise buildings. It is wrong interpretation and definitely not the intention of this exercise.
However, immediately after the briefing, the participants have voiced out their comments in which implied explicitly that they have misunderstood the planning is for redevelopment. They do not want to see their houses being acquired and do not like to have different landuses or activities within the vicinity of their neighbourhood. No matter how tireless the consultants trying to explain, they do not accept the explaination and insist on non further study. At the end, the session became a complaint dialogue and discussion.
I felt sorry about the level of understanding of residents towards planning. I also felt that MBPJ has not done much to educate the public on reading plan holistically. I think while planning is important, planning without the full support and constructive input from the residents and stakeholders will be a planning to failure. I reckon much need to be done. Perhaps focus group discussion, role play and even solving the daily services problem facing the residents will be of help.
However, immediately after the briefing, the participants have voiced out their comments in which implied explicitly that they have misunderstood the planning is for redevelopment. They do not want to see their houses being acquired and do not like to have different landuses or activities within the vicinity of their neighbourhood. No matter how tireless the consultants trying to explain, they do not accept the explaination and insist on non further study. At the end, the session became a complaint dialogue and discussion.
I felt sorry about the level of understanding of residents towards planning. I also felt that MBPJ has not done much to educate the public on reading plan holistically. I think while planning is important, planning without the full support and constructive input from the residents and stakeholders will be a planning to failure. I reckon much need to be done. Perhaps focus group discussion, role play and even solving the daily services problem facing the residents will be of help.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Public Transportation
It was reported that public transport usage rises from 10% in 2009 to 17% in year 2010. The number of passengers has increased to 2.6 million. It is anticipated public transport usage would rise to 21% this year and followed by 25% by 2012. This increase was attributed to the enhanced capacity of LRT coaches and also the introduction of Bus Expressway Transit which attracted 1500 passengers daily. The trend is encouraging and more can be done to recruit public transport users. The provision of efficient feeder buses service plying the residential route to LRT station or transportation hub will help to increase the number of passengers. As it is, many cars in the park and ride parking lots are parked there from morning to the evening. While it is encouraging to witness the willingness of people to take their car to the station and board a train, it is also unbecoming for having the cars idle there the whole day. It is a waste of resources. We should discourage ownership of car for the sole purpose of travelling to the station from home. I believe many will not mind to disown the car if feeder bus service is available with ease.
It is also reported that option for Bus Rapid Transit is explored. It should not take too long to realise it since it is cheaper compared to building the MRT and LRT, and of course much lower expenditure. While some might argue of the need to have dedicated lane for buses, it can be done by realigning the traffic flow and prioritising the usage of road by public transportation mode. For example, to give priority to the buses instead of other private vehicles. Similarly, equal of not more capital investment should be allocated for the buses service.
Many have not taken a ride with buses and train simply because they do not trust the reliability of the service. Rightly so as for those frequent travellers, they have to adapt to the bad experience they encountered in getting a bus or train. We must erase the bad experience and perception of public about the public transportation by providing reliable, affordable and inter-connected services. At the same time, to impose higher maintenance fee for owning a car. It can be in the form of higher tax, higher petrol price, maintenance fee, car parking charge and etc. In general, it must be multiple approaches in tackling the woes of public transportation.
It is also reported that option for Bus Rapid Transit is explored. It should not take too long to realise it since it is cheaper compared to building the MRT and LRT, and of course much lower expenditure. While some might argue of the need to have dedicated lane for buses, it can be done by realigning the traffic flow and prioritising the usage of road by public transportation mode. For example, to give priority to the buses instead of other private vehicles. Similarly, equal of not more capital investment should be allocated for the buses service.
Many have not taken a ride with buses and train simply because they do not trust the reliability of the service. Rightly so as for those frequent travellers, they have to adapt to the bad experience they encountered in getting a bus or train. We must erase the bad experience and perception of public about the public transportation by providing reliable, affordable and inter-connected services. At the same time, to impose higher maintenance fee for owning a car. It can be in the form of higher tax, higher petrol price, maintenance fee, car parking charge and etc. In general, it must be multiple approaches in tackling the woes of public transportation.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Green Hero of Petaling Jaya Award
The inaugural Green Hero of Petaling Jaya Award was launched this morning. The Award is conferred to individual in Petaling Jaya that have been contributing towards environmental conservation/protection and local sustainability for the past three years. The Award is part of the efforts by the Petaling Jaya City Council in making PJ a Green and Low Carbon City. It is also held in conjunction with the celebration of 5th Anniversary of City Day.
The closing date for nomination is 10th June 2011. Form can be downloaded from the www.mbpj.gov.my.
While effort in identifying and recognising the initiatives done by individual is on going, out reach to the people is equally important in order to solicit nomination. Hopefully deserving individual will get the recognition due for them.
Green effort is not only confined to institutions, but collective efforts done by individual. Sometime the little action by individual will be able to inspire others to start their own. Hence, highlighting such efforts is important so that others will follow the good practice and start doing it.
MBPJ is duty bound to search for such personality and highlighting the good practices, after all having more people doing the green things will help in greening the city, an ultimate aim for any city manager.
The closing date for nomination is 10th June 2011. Form can be downloaded from the www.mbpj.gov.my.
While effort in identifying and recognising the initiatives done by individual is on going, out reach to the people is equally important in order to solicit nomination. Hopefully deserving individual will get the recognition due for them.
Green effort is not only confined to institutions, but collective efforts done by individual. Sometime the little action by individual will be able to inspire others to start their own. Hence, highlighting such efforts is important so that others will follow the good practice and start doing it.
MBPJ is duty bound to search for such personality and highlighting the good practices, after all having more people doing the green things will help in greening the city, an ultimate aim for any city manager.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Design Gimmick for Development
Nowasday when it comes to property marketing, many gimmick has been incorporated even in the stage of planning design. We heard about super link for the conventional terrace house. We have zero lot bungalow house when in actual it is link house. We have soho or service apartment or studio that is supposed to cater for commercial purpose but in actual it is more of residential driven. The development proponents are so creative and innovative in attracting interest of buyers. The buyers feel extraordinary privillege of getting value-added bargain, of course for the name sake at initial stage without knowing the final product when the agreement was sealed. It reminded me on some people said that in Malaysia buying property is the only deal that people will pay and have no choice but to pay a product that you do not own or sense or feel.
Some like to reckon this as the ladder of social advancement for better quality of life. They reasoned that affordability can be secondary as people more than willing to pay for higher features for a house or a neighbourhood area. For example, people do not mind to pay for a guarded and gated community with security scheme. People like to have a prestige school within their neighbourhood vicinity. People is willing to have more greenery and pay for maintenance fee for having such facilities. People do not mind to maintain a club house in their community provided that it is used exclusively. In capitalising this new aspiration and desire, development proponents are coming up many up trend design, and some time slogan in nature.
Some time, I found that the gimmick as stated in the illustration and advertisement is not reflecting the actual scenario. Commonly we witnessed most of the proposed buildings are surrounded by green and trees as if no other buildings would be built next. We also have many projects served by public transportation but in reality the terminal might be bit far away and it is not within the walking distance. Some might have indicated that ample car parking are available without mentioning that it is not for free but comes with a price. With so many gimmick in place, I presume the buyers would have to assess properly and carefully on any great offer.
For the planning authority, it is their duty to ensure that requirements are complied with and not to be swayed away by every single gimmick. The evaluation should still come back to the principle on safety, health, ecological concern and social objectives. I come across a case about set back in which a developer for zero lot bungalow house scheme requested exemption for minimum distance. However, authority in providing service maintenance argued that the request should be reassessed again as the existing similar development project elsewhere shown that the design causes maintenance problem later. It is difficult for owner to even paint his house wall without getting permission from the neighbouring lot and problem will arise if both the neighbours cannot see eye to eye with each others. Similarly, for the soho/service apartment/studio development, the buyers should have been told that they are paying higher tariff for utilities bill and property assessment rate compared to the conventional residential unit.
I presume we must be alert and rational in making a decision to buy a property instead of blind folded with all the nice gimmick and pictures.
Some like to reckon this as the ladder of social advancement for better quality of life. They reasoned that affordability can be secondary as people more than willing to pay for higher features for a house or a neighbourhood area. For example, people do not mind to pay for a guarded and gated community with security scheme. People like to have a prestige school within their neighbourhood vicinity. People is willing to have more greenery and pay for maintenance fee for having such facilities. People do not mind to maintain a club house in their community provided that it is used exclusively. In capitalising this new aspiration and desire, development proponents are coming up many up trend design, and some time slogan in nature.
Some time, I found that the gimmick as stated in the illustration and advertisement is not reflecting the actual scenario. Commonly we witnessed most of the proposed buildings are surrounded by green and trees as if no other buildings would be built next. We also have many projects served by public transportation but in reality the terminal might be bit far away and it is not within the walking distance. Some might have indicated that ample car parking are available without mentioning that it is not for free but comes with a price. With so many gimmick in place, I presume the buyers would have to assess properly and carefully on any great offer.
For the planning authority, it is their duty to ensure that requirements are complied with and not to be swayed away by every single gimmick. The evaluation should still come back to the principle on safety, health, ecological concern and social objectives. I come across a case about set back in which a developer for zero lot bungalow house scheme requested exemption for minimum distance. However, authority in providing service maintenance argued that the request should be reassessed again as the existing similar development project elsewhere shown that the design causes maintenance problem later. It is difficult for owner to even paint his house wall without getting permission from the neighbouring lot and problem will arise if both the neighbours cannot see eye to eye with each others. Similarly, for the soho/service apartment/studio development, the buyers should have been told that they are paying higher tariff for utilities bill and property assessment rate compared to the conventional residential unit.
I presume we must be alert and rational in making a decision to buy a property instead of blind folded with all the nice gimmick and pictures.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Meaning of Development
I attended a round table discussion entitled Properties Prospect Year 2011 in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area. The speaker spoke about developmental trend and housing index in various part of Malaysia. Comparatively, property investment in Kuala Lumpur area has been given higher yield to the buyers over the last ten years. This is especially so for the residential sub-sector. It is also reckoned that area with good infrastructure and connectivity will be getting more attention now. It is no surprise that area within the vicinity, but not that close to the public transportation hub is in high demand. For example, commercial properties within walking distance of MRT Station is fine, but not those directly blocked by the structure of the station.
The speaker also talked about "pro-development" in which area within the transportation hub should be given higher plot ratio for development and for mixture type of development. It is a concept of getting people to live, play, study and work in a place while travelling is required, then with the public transportation. It is an ideal situation and dream for all city stakeholders. Everyone is striving towards this goal. However, some audience did not agree for having too high intensity of development in PJ fearing that the current traffic problem will be worsened if the proposed transportation improvement is not forthcoming. Their fear is understood as many of the infrastructure projects have not executed as planned within the time frame.
I presume many have spoken about development from the physical point of view. None have actually referred development as total and sustainable development in which apart from the physical component, social, economy and environment are equally important. The discourse about pro and anti development will go on until and unless we agree to the same fundamental meaning of development. If Bhutan people are the most happiest in the World, do you think we still consider the so-called development important? Similarly, if a developed city with all the necessary and state of the art amenities as well as opportunities for a lavish lifestyle that having so much social problems and fear of personal safety is what the development is all about?
I presume basically what people want is to have a basic, simple and down to the earth life that everything is co-habit in harmony state. We want our children to go to school for knowledge enhancement that is better than us without jeopardising their quality of life. We want to earn with dignity to support our family. We want to maintain good neighbourliness with all friends. It is indeed a tall order but achievable if we all have a common understand about the true meaning of development.
The speaker also talked about "pro-development" in which area within the transportation hub should be given higher plot ratio for development and for mixture type of development. It is a concept of getting people to live, play, study and work in a place while travelling is required, then with the public transportation. It is an ideal situation and dream for all city stakeholders. Everyone is striving towards this goal. However, some audience did not agree for having too high intensity of development in PJ fearing that the current traffic problem will be worsened if the proposed transportation improvement is not forthcoming. Their fear is understood as many of the infrastructure projects have not executed as planned within the time frame.
I presume many have spoken about development from the physical point of view. None have actually referred development as total and sustainable development in which apart from the physical component, social, economy and environment are equally important. The discourse about pro and anti development will go on until and unless we agree to the same fundamental meaning of development. If Bhutan people are the most happiest in the World, do you think we still consider the so-called development important? Similarly, if a developed city with all the necessary and state of the art amenities as well as opportunities for a lavish lifestyle that having so much social problems and fear of personal safety is what the development is all about?
I presume basically what people want is to have a basic, simple and down to the earth life that everything is co-habit in harmony state. We want our children to go to school for knowledge enhancement that is better than us without jeopardising their quality of life. We want to earn with dignity to support our family. We want to maintain good neighbourliness with all friends. It is indeed a tall order but achievable if we all have a common understand about the true meaning of development.
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