July-August , 2021 | @ green
COVER STORY
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We ’ re not just talking about re-learning about pandemic or urbanisation . We ’ re talking about sustainable development . How other cities are dealing with it and what ’ s the best practices and examples .” — Noraida
Urban planning enthusiast were planners and technology providers , local authorities , etc .
Besides the pandemic , she said stakeholders could also learn about environmental degradation in many places , including the cities .
“ We ’ re not just talking about re-learning about pandemic or urbanisation . We ’ re talking about sustainable development . How other cities are dealing with it and what ’ s the best practices and examples .
“ Now that we are in the advent of technology , there ’ s a lot of opportunities for everybody involved with cities to go and see what ’ s available out there .
“ With the City Expo Malaysia , it ’ s not just the expo exhibition . We ’ ll also be having a five-day , fully packed forum . The expo is going to be free ,”
understanding of all elements of sustainability . In doing urban planning , the members could embed this aspect in their plans . MIP also promotes the implementation of sustainable development goals in all urban planning works .
“ To us , environmental sustainability is important because , in Malaysia , we ’ ve lost a lot of our forest . A few months back , there was an issue on Tasik Chini , a biosphere reserve with all the logging activities . There ’ s just so much encroachment into our forest ,” she said , further explaining that keeping a balance in economic development , social development , and environmental protection is vital at MIP .
“ We do have committees working on this aspect , and as best as we can , we try to influence government policy on ensuring various aspects of sustainable development are being implemented .”
On addressing climate change
Noraida revealed climate change had many impacts on urban planning . She explained one of the focuses at MIP , as part of the urban planner ’ s role to address climate change , was embedding the concept of low carbon cities .
“ Low carbon cities are where we try to reduce our carbon emission from certain activities . This involves transportation and the use of energy . For example , by providing more pedestal networks , cycling facilities and public transport , there will be a shift from private vehicles to a more environment-friendly mode of transportation .
“ Walking . You don ’ t use any energy for walking . In fact , you become healthier , and that links to a healthy city .
“ A part of the low carbon city plan is to plant more trees , that ’ s the angle of carbon sequestration , where trees help absorb carbon dioxide emitted said Noraida as she emphasised there ’ s no limit in time with it being virtual , and people could access it from wherever they are .
On the reason for the collaboration , Noraida revealed that MIP believed Nextdor went deep into things that could touch the hearts of many people .
“ The passion that Imran and Anne ( Lourdes ) have for placemaking touches the lives in the city .
“ Placemaking is about activating places and public spaces , and that ’ s the core in MIP . At MIP , town planner ’ s work touches lives .
“ It ’ s not just about spaces , but it ’ s about creating places ,” said Noraida , adding that people at Nextdor have different aspirations and understanding beyond properties . — @ green
by all our activities .”
She stated the principle in low carbon city planning was to provide more green spaces , build more green buildings , do more vertical landscaping and plant more trees .
“ At MIP , we also have every year in the past , what we call ‘ Pledge and Plant a Tree ’ programme , where we work with cities . Members and the public pledge RM100 per tree , and we channel that to local authorities or smaller cities and help plant trees in those cities .”
In helping the nation reduce carbon emission , she said a slightly different approach was used at the city level . Noraida revealed that MIP had been promoting low carbon cities since 2011 . She was one of the low carbon city framework authors , which the previous prime minister , Dato ’ Sri Najib Razak , launched .
The framework was to be used by more than 150 local authorities in Malaysia to implement plans on how each city could reduce its carbon emission .
“ Many cities are already implementing and have policies and action plans on how to reduce the city ’ s carbon emissions .
“ Shah Alam , which is very aggressive , is already implementing section by section .”
“ I do have faith that a lot of our cities are moving in the right direction by refocusing on things that are close to the public ’ s hearts . Ensuring we have enough open spaces , implementing walkable streets , connecting pedestrian walkways , providing cycle lanes and looking into the most challenging part will house people in affordable homes .
“ Yes , in the future we will have all those challenges , but I think we have put in good plans for cities . If we have the willpower to implement the plans , we will be able to build good livable cities for all of us .” — @ green
Imran Clyde , Executive Director of Nextdor Property Communications .
BEFORE the establishment of Nextdor Property Communications , Imran Clyde had his fair share of experience working with a multinational advertising agency .
He was responsible for developing and implementing a dedicated property unit within the agency , which provided complete marketing strategies to property-related companies .
Imran said growing up , town planning paraphernalia surrounded him . His father is a town planner , and he was exposed to plans and many town-related discussions , which led to his secret love for cities .
Aside from his strong background in advertising , marketing and public relations , Imran was also attached to Visual Extreme Malaysia , an animation house . He was responsible for developing new business opportunities in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) and the Middle East region .
In collaboration with MIP
After working with more than 30 developers at Nextdor Property Communications over the last 16 years , he realised there ’ s a disconnect about the in-depth issues facing the cities in Malaysia .
He argued : “ People are working in silos in terms of city management and city design .”
When MIP approached the agency and talked about its plan to promote the cities , Nextdor decided to jump at the opportunity .
“ We knew this was a very unique and special opportunity to bring people together . The potential change that we can derive from this is enormous .
“ We can start small , but you never know unless you do it ,” said the executive director .
On sustainable property trends
Imran agreed that many developers are becoming more aware of sustainability . However , in terms of commercial interests , they will follow whatever is in their best interests .
“ But from my experience , they will possibly do the most minimum possible . I give you a simple example . Smart lighting is not something developers want to provide you . It is something that they expect the local authority to provide you with later down the road .
“ The reason for that is because the minimum requirement had specific specifications . They will give you the minimum possible . They are not interested in providing you beyond that .
“ But we are starting to see a change , especially when it comes to the younger generation of developers who are more aware and conscious that these are what the market wants .
“ So , as the buyer ’ s market matures , their interest levels change and then the developers will change along with it ,” he said , highlighting the need for stakeholders to be more proactive in accelerating this process .
“ Placemaking is one of the examples of how we can make a space sustainable .”
Imran , however , argued that in pursuing this sustainable goal , people could not just be looking at the property sector and developer alone . From the brand ’ s perspective , we should consider the after-sales condition of the property as it would also affect the brand image .
“ It ’ s actually in their best interest to not have this handover mentality .” Regarding CEM 2021 , Imran shared that they were interested in getting technology companies to come and join them at the expo as they were looking for high-tech and low-tech solutions .
“ Technology companies , especially those involved in green and smart cities . It can also be waste management , energy and water .
“ We ’ ve got a lot of local authorities , economic corridors already onboard . We ’ re very excited about that . We ’ d love to see more developers as well . Professionals , engineers , QS valuers , and the most important one is the public !
“ Banks ! We want to see banks participate because not many people realise the role that banks play in facilitating certain changes .” — @ green