Change needed: PJ Old Town, one of the places in the state which is no longer able to meet present-day needs and challenges.
URBAN regeneration is the only way forward for Selangor’s sustainable future, said Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
He said a total of 2,375ha of land in the state had been identified for regeneration and redevelopment in the Local Plans and Draft Local Plans of Petaling Jaya, Klang, Ampang Jaya and Kajang. Petaling Jaya alone has 1,672ha which had been identified for the purpose.
“The renewal and redevelopment of inner cities which are ageing and decaying, is not an option but is now a neccessity in Selangor to foster further economic and social development of the state.
“So far, the towns of Petaling Jaya, Klang, Ampang and Kajang have been identified as in need of regeneration initiatives,” he said.
He added that the process would take about two years and would be carried out in stages.
He was speaking at the launch of International Conference for Urban Regeneration Towards Selangor’s Sustainable Future at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa yesterday.
Abdul Khalid said the state government would consider issues from all perspectives to ensure that the projects were planned and implemented tactfully and coherently.
“This conference is a step forward in the process of consulting and gathering more ideas from the experts, professionals as well as the public.
“We will definitely embark on more consultation and provide more channels for proposals and suggestions from the communities and stakeholders,” he said.
The two-day conference saw representatives from the local and state government, developers, financial institutions, residents associations, architects, town planners and engineers.
Among the invited speakers were the senior resident fellow for urban development in Washington-cum- ex-Pittsburg mayor Tom Murphy and Fran Wagstaff who previously headed the Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition, one of the largest and most respected affordable housing developers in northern California.
Abdul Khalid also said the urban regeneration concept involved a comprehensive programme of land redevelopment with the complex combination of economic, physical planning, management and social considerations.
“The ‘old’ is enhanced and ‘new’ developments are constructed to revitalise the economic growth and the social environments of the selected areas.
“Urban regeneration involves rehabilitation efforts of impoverished and derelict urban industrial areas and neighbourhoods by large-scale renovation or reconstruction of housing, public works, commercial uses and mixed-developments.
“These elements of urban regeneration are brought together to improve the social sustainability, economic viability and the infrastructure of city areas and to help improve urban landscapes,” he said adding that the urban regeneration would have higher potential than developing a new urban area.
The regeneration was also necessary when the olders towns in the state are no longer able to meet present-day needs and challenges.
He added that the urban regeneration and redevelopment programme was aimed at revitalising these towns, creating jobs, enhancing the quality of life, improving amenities and infrastructure, improving management of the state assets as well as generating more revenue for the state and local governments.
Furthermore, it would help control encroachment into agricultural and forest reserved areas due to limited build-up areas in the state.
By The Star (by StarProperty.my - by Salina Khalid)
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