Future Cities

I attended the Expert Talk entitled The Future Cities last week. Future Cities are the cities people would like to stay and everyone will have their own vitality. The concept of Future Cities arises because it is projected that more than 70% of World population will be living in the urban area by year 2050. Hence, cities that conducive for living is crucial to accommodate to the need of these people. Rightly so, as city without a good living environment and opportunities will loss out to other cities offering better condition, and thus loss the competitiveness and vibrancy. My question however, is that what happen to the 30% people who are living in the so called "rural" area? Are we saying that the living environment in the "rural" area is so futuristic that no further action is required? Or are we saying that these people have no future since they are no staying in any of the future cities? Then again, future cities must be resilient on overcoming environmental degradation, emerging of aging society, challenges from the globalisation and also capitalising on local competencies. While aging and globalisation is unavoidable and progressively happen over time and in fast pace in which most of the time beyond control and influence, local competencies are something that any city managers and stakeholders should explore further. A city with future vision must explore their advantages and transform it effectively or else the competitive edge of the city will be diminished.

Cumulative of "Wrongdoings"

When it comes to using public space for own benefit, most of the people will say nothing wrong and presumbly they deserve it. This is rampant in especially house owners turf the road reserve in front of their house for parking their cars or for planting. Some even having the structure or concrete slab over the open drain. It looks like acceptable to the society norm for encroaching onto public space in front of our house or building premises. It is also commonly seen that tyres, drums, chairs or any objects be placed onto the car parking lot in front of shops as a sign of pre-booking of the public facilities, and without any payment. No businessman felt ashame for their doing which is morally wrong. There are business operators placing their products and goods on the corridor and some even blocking the passage. Some traders conducting their business on open space and some pour the waste water or kitchen waste into the drain like what many have done for their house backyard. Many people nail the signboard on trees, hang the poster on lamp post or plant the billboard on any where they like without feeling sorry to the mother earth. All these look like acceptable and can be tolerated. Are not these disconnects with liveable city cumulative negative effects to the discontent of city dwellers? Why are we so angry towards development projects and objecting emotionally? Isn't it good to treat all "wrongdoing" equally?

Talking

While talking without action is cheap, keeping quiet and do nothing is more horrible. This is especially true if our conscience requesting us to do something but we fail to execute it. While No Action Talk Only symptom is rampant and unacceptable, but if we never say something even though during the time saying is warranted, then perhaps said it out loud and clear with empty promises is preferred. People say better than nothing. That's explained why many people are attracted to prolific speaker or those leaders with charisma. Under normal circumstances, saying it out with the facts and actions should be the way forward. Promises with the knowledge that what have been said is unworkable, it is considered bull shitting and perhaps cheating as well. During the time of election for example, promises and pledges are given for securing the votes and pre-requisite is one must got elected first or else the chances of promises cannot be fulfilled is there. Even then according to a recent court judgement in Malaysia, promises can still be not delivered as it is not binding on the candidates. So, it is very must up to the intelligent of voters and their choice to believe on which candidates are more trustworthy. Similarly to the general audience, analyse and make your own conclusion after listening is much desired.

Hot Day

It was terribly hot and humid for the last few days. Walking on the street under the hot sun is basically unbearable. People said it is the negative impact of global warming, and perhaps the instant effect of carbon dixoside level reaching the 400ppm, first time in human history. Some said it signals the arrival of summer, and it is time for holiday now. What ever you want to call it, personal suffering is on the card now. As individual cannot avoid from the humidity and prefer to keep own self under the shaddy area or in the air-conditioned enclaved area. Shopping centre will see bigger crowd now, but might not be neceesary turned into higher sale volume as many might want to be there enjoying the coldness. People are lazy to go outdoor spending leisure time. All of these, in fact have impact on our living environment. For example, more energy is consumed for air-conditioned. Similarly, usage of utilities and facilities outdoor are not optimised due to lacking of users. Will this change our lifestyle? The answer is definitely YES. Do we have answer to remedy this? YES but require collective actions from all, locally and globally. Shall we do it? YES, and immediately or else today of next year will witness more serious effect on human activities.

400 ppm

If the rate of carbon emission continued, human will be facing the biggest disaster in history within 25 years. Last week carbon emission level recorded 400 ppm at Manua Loa, Hawaii for the first time in human history, a million times faster than expected. When we reach the level of 450 ppm, our iceberg at North pole will melt faster, sea level will accerelate, ecological system will be damaged and the human exsitance is in doubt as temperature will increase 2 degree celcius higher. So, what should we do? I believe many are business as usual as the environmental cost is perceived as too vogue and general. For people who can afford, paying extra for air conditioned electricity bill is a peanut. For those who cannot afford, it is the least they can afford to do but leave it to others for assistance. Unless human comes to common understanding and feel the crisis is real, I presume nothing radical will take place.

Professional Views

When it comes to the financial management, public service in Malaysia practices the concept of let managers manage. This is rightly so as professional knowing the best what they have been entrusted to perform. The policy makers will set the policies and let the managers to execute the policies. The policy makers will monitor and review the performance. In other words, the views of professional are very much respected, if provided no untoward happenings. With the trust given, it is also rightly for the public officers to exercise higher integrity and perform the best out of his ability. Hence, also assuming full responsibility of the action taken. If this separation of roles and duties are clearly stated and observed in full, I presume that the pretext of politic interference will be diminished, or if not can be marginalised. However, the pledges given in the manifesto at recent concluded election proved me wrong. There are instances professional views being by-passed or over ruled. Some turned out to be decisions implementable with the political will in which the earliest professional views were set aside.

Theory and Reality

Reality and actual happening is always different from the theory or untested formula. While many aspire for idealistic and would like to get the best possible, this was often failed to materialise. For example, we try keep ourselves to the best solution possible without considering the possibility of failure. At time, something come out unexpectedly. Thus, how fast and how best we adjust or adapt is much more important to determine how best one's perform and achieve the desired objectives. Some might feel disheartening knowing that the objectives cannot be achieved and just let it go wihtout trying to adjust. Some might take this as a challenge and trying other ways of doing the best. If you are the former, then obviously more sad you might be as life is not that smooth sailing. If you are the person never give up, then you might be the winner at the end of the day. I attended a training last week with the pretext that it is a course to enhance previous knowledge. However, I was proved wrong when the new knowledge told was defered from the previous one. Only after some exchange of ideas, then only the participants were told that new knowledge has to be applied as the previous knowledge could not applied fully on the ground due to data constraints. If we have kept ourselves to the earlier thought and disturbed by the turn of event, then most likely we will not able to learn new knowledge. However, if we come in with open minded and willing to accept new eventualities, then it can be a good learning curve. I choose to be the latter.

Safety

A jogger was killed last week. A pedestrian commuting to bus stop died after snatched. These incidents sound familiar as it appeared in every day news reporting. Is this not serious crime starting from a petty action? Shall this be stop? Obviously, everyone said YES but some parties might have different ideas of approaches and prioprities. Some said crime is about perception. If you feel safe walking on the street, then it is safe. If you are uneasy about a place, even though with bright lighting or within a busy street, you will still think it is unsafe. Some blamed this by saying that feeling about safety at time derived from own account and experience. Some people might felt threaten or not secure because of quiet environment or darkness even though the place is well covered with security features. We always get assurance from the security force that safety of our living environment has improved tremendously. However, many disputed about this statement because many can share their own experience or those stories from their next of kin or friends on accounts that threathen their safety, property or life. Getting both sides to share and agree with each others that safety has improved and the public is free to express, to walk on the street, to enjoy the beauty of parks and public places, to commute to neighbourhood shop and school by walking and cycling is a pleasant journey will require extra efforts and endorsement. In other words, how can we achieve a safe city? Safe City is not a program or slogan, it should be underlying principle inbuild in our neighbourhood that is sustainable and liveable. Residents must be able to live without fear and favour. They should not need to dip into their pocket for paying the private security force. They should not have to patrol their neighbourhood during night time. They should be able to patronise the neighbourhood park, community hall, shops and public places at anytime they wish to. Under the name of social integration, people should be allowed to move freely and mingle around without suspicious arose. I presume much need to be done and until then any action of taking down the gates and guards at neighbourhood area will not be accepted.

Labour Day 2013

1st of May is the Labour Day. A Day celebrating the contribution of the workers for nation building and services rendered. It is also a Day to raise awareness on the welfare of employees and need to protect them from manipulation and abuse. This especially so towards the child labour and the vulnerable group. Agenda 21, the global blueprint for sustainable development recognises the contribution of workers as one of the major groups in helping to achieve sustainability. It is stated in Chapter 29 of Agenda 21 that welfare, capacity and capability of workers should be strengthened and enhanced. Workers being the bigger group in job place, production line and also as the consumers have role to play in sustainability. For those in the production line, adopting green or 3R concept in manufacturing for example will help protecting the resources ot the Earth from dilapidating. As consumers, making sure that spending is not excessive and fulfilling the needs rather than the greed shall be helpful as well. As those involve in the supply chain of production or become part of the whole life cycle of products, contribution of workers is undoubtedly very important. Hence, achieving sustainable development without acknowledging the contribution of the workers is not completed. Happy Labour Day.