LAND USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

(DPP 530)
Individual Assignment

Assignment 1

NAMA: LEE CHENG CHUNG (GEORGE LEE)

NO MATRIK: 2023.5.GE05.0006
NAMA: LEE CHENG
PROGRAM: CHUNG
DIPLOMA (GEORGEMANAGEMENT
IN PROPERTY LEE) & MAINTENANCE
NAMA
NO PENSYARAH : Pn. Siti Nabilah
MATRIK:2023.5.GE05.0006

PROGRAM: DIPLOMA IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Report: The Importance of Sustainable Land Use Planning and Its
Potential in Malaysia

Introduction

Sustainable land use planning is a vital aspect of environmental management and economic growth,
ensuring that land resources are used efficiently to support development without depleting natural
ecosystems. In Malaysia, with its diverse landscapes ranging from tropical rainforests to urban
environments, sustainable land use is particularly important. Malaysia faces the dual challenges of
promoting economic development while preserving its rich biodiversity and natural resources.

This report will discuss the importance of sustainable land use planning, highlight government efforts to
promote it, and examine key land use challenges that impact the country’s economic and environmental
balance.

Concept of Sustainable Land Use Planning

Land use planning refers to the process by which governments and planners manage the use and
development of land in both urban and rural areas. The goal is to allocate land resources in a way that
maximizes economic and social benefits while minimizing negative environmental impacts. Sustainable land
use planning takes this a step further by focusing on long-term outcomes, ensuring that future generations
can also enjoy and benefit from the land.

Key Components of Sustainable Land Use Planning:

1. Balanced Development: Ensuring that land is used in a way that supports economic development,
social well-being, and environmental preservation.
2. Resource Efficiency: Maximizing the efficient use of land to avoid waste and unnecessary
degradation.
3. Environmental Conservation: Protecting forests, wetlands, and ecosystems from over-exploitation.
4. Community Engagement: Involving local communities in planning decisions to ensure their needs
are met while promoting sustainability.
5. Climate Resilience: Adapting land use planning to mitigate and respond to climate change impacts
such as flooding and drought.
6. Sustainable Infrastructure: Promoting green buildings, renewable energy, and efficient transport
systems.
7. Zoning and Land Designation: Dividing land into specific zones for agriculture, urbanization,
conservation, and industrial use.
Government Encouragement and Policies in Malaysia

The Malaysian government has implemented several policies and initiatives to promote sustainable land use
planning:

1. National Physical Plan (NPP): This serves as the overarching framework guiding land use at the
national level. The NPP emphasizes the integration of environmental, economic, and social goals,
ensuring that development is balanced and sustainable.
2. National Urbanization Policy (NUP): Malaysia's NUP promotes urban growth that is sustainable
and inclusive. It seeks to prevent uncontrolled urban sprawl and encourages high-density, mixed-use
developments that minimize environmental damage.
3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Framework: Malaysia is committed to the United
Nations' SDGs, which include goals related to sustainable cities and communities, climate action,
and responsible consumption of resources. These are integrated into national and state-level land use
planning efforts.
4. Forest Conservation Policies: In response to deforestation concerns, the government has set aside
large tracts of land as permanent forest reserves. Various initiatives, such as the Heart of Borneo
project, aim to protect the forests in Sabah and Sarawak while promoting eco-tourism and
sustainable forest management.
5. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): The Malaysian government mandates EIAs for certain
development projects to ensure that the environmental implications of land use decisions are
considered before approval is granted.
6. Local Agenda 21: Malaysia actively promotes Local Agenda 21, a global initiative to encourage
sustainable development at the local level. Local governments work with communities to implement
sustainable practices tailored to local needs.
7. Green Building Index (GBI): This rating system encourages the construction of environmentally
sustainable buildings and infrastructure that minimizes resource consumption and carbon emissions.
8. National Policy on Climate Change: This policy aims to address the effects of climate change,
which is closely linked to land use practices. It promotes adaptive land use strategies to mitigate the
impact of extreme weather events, protect ecosystems, and ensure food security.
9. National Land Code (1965): This governs land tenure and administration, ensuring that land use
policies align with sustainable practices.
10. Malaysia's National Green Technology Policy (2009): This aims to promote green technology in
various sectors, including land development, to minimize environmental impacts.
11. National Policy on Climate Change (2009): This policy addresses the importance of integrating
environmental considerations into land use planning.
Creativity, Strategies and idea land Use planning in Malaysia
Comparison between China, Beijing Town And Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Land use
Planning
Road and Pathway Layout:

Smooth Traffic Flow: Ensure roads are designed to handle the expected volume of traffic efficiently,
avoiding bottlenecks and congestion.

The constructed land use data within the sixth ring road of Beijing

Inter-ring road connection routes. There also exist many connection routes between the ring roads.
The ones listed below are all expressways or express routes. Travel on these routes is often
surprisingly smooth, as there are no traffic lights on them.
The constructed land use data within the sixth ring road of Beijing has been analyzed using multi-
source big data, including POI (Points of Interest), OpenStreetMap, and web crawler data. This data
helps to understand the spatial distribution and aggregation characteristics of mixed land use in the
area12.

Key findings include:

High Accuracy: The land use data obtained is highly accurate, with a consistency rate of 82.67% compared
to the real land use situation1.

Spatial Distribution: The mixed land use level is higher in the urban center and lower in the periphery.
Interestingly, the area from the third to the fifth ring road shows the highest mixed land use level1.

Impact on Housing Prices: The mixed land use has different impacts on housing prices at different scales.
At the block scale, a higher variety of land use types negatively affects housing prices, while at the life circle
scale, a higher entropy index positively affects housing prices1.

This data is crucial for urban planning and policy-making to promote sustainable Land Use Planning
development in Beijing.

Beijing is facing a huge challenge to manage the growth of its built-up area whilst also retaining both
productive arable land and land for conservation purposes in order to simultaneously realize the three aims
of economic development, protecting arable land and generating environmental improvements. Meanwhile,
London, as a world city with more than 200 years of industrialization and urbanization, has accumulated rich
theoretical and practical experiences for land use planning in a major urban area, such as the creation of
Garden Cities, a designated Green Belt and New Towns. This paper firstly analyzes the main characteristics
of the spatial distribution of the built-up area, arable land and conservation land in Beijing. Then, some of
the key aspects of urban fringe planning in the London region are examined. Lastly, several implications
from the experience of London are provided with respect to land-use planning for Beijing, concentrating on
a re-appraisal of land-use functions around Beijing, measures to improve the green belt, the development of
small towns to house rural-urban migrants and urban overspill, and effective implementation of land-use
planning.
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Land use Planning

Road and Pathway Layout:

Issues Related to Land Use Planning in Malaysia

Despite these policies, Malaysia faces significant challenges when it comes to land use planning. These
issues have far-reaching implications on the country’s economy, environment, and society.

1. Deforestation and Habitat Loss

Deforestation remains one of the most pressing environmental issues in Malaysia. The expansion of palm oil
plantations, logging activities, and infrastructure development have led to large-scale deforestation,
particularly in Sabah and Sarawak. This has resulted in habitat loss for endangered species such as
orangutans, contributing to biodiversity decline. Deforestation also exacerbates climate change as forests act
as carbon sinks.

2. Urban Sprawl

Rapid urbanization, especially in major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, has led to urban
sprawl, where cities expand outward in a disorderly and inefficient manner. This results in the
overconsumption of land, traffic congestion, and increased demand for public services. Urban sprawl also
threatens agricultural land and increases the ecological footprint of cities.

3. Flooding and Climate Vulnerability

Improper land use planning, especially in flood-prone areas, has increased the risk of severe flooding during
monsoon seasons. Uncontrolled development in floodplains and the destruction of natural barriers like
mangroves and forests have worsened the problem. Flooding not only results in economic losses but also
disrupts local communities, particularly in low-lying areas.

The best practices for drainage in Malaysia are provided by the “Urban Stormwater Management Manual for
Malaysia” (better known as MSMA), prepared by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS, Jabatan
Pengairan & Saliran). JPS also has a Drainage Master Plan as a guideline for drainage systems for a district
or municipality. These documents are non-statutory.

Approval of drainage proposals for new developments in Malaysia follows three main stages:

Stage 1: Planning Approval (Planning Permission /Development Order Approval)

The drainage system for a new housing development is planned and designed at the early stage of planning
approval by the appointed civil and structural engineer. The drainage system must comply with the existing
guidelines from JPS and the engineering department of the local authority. These two agencies oversee the
drainage system proposals as early as the planning permission application stage. Planning
permission/development order cannot be granted without supporting letters from the two agencies endorsing
the drainage proposal.

Stage 2: Infrastructure Plan Approval (Earthworks, Road & Drainage Plans)

After receiving planning approval, the infrastructure plan covering the earthworks plan, and road & drainage
plan (R&D) are prepared by the appointed civil and structural engineer for approval by the local authority.
The plans are forwarded to JPS and the local authority’s engineering department for approval before
commencement of any infrastructure works (earthworks, road and drainage system) on site.

These approved plans also include a drainage system plan of the development site during the construction
period.

Stage 3: Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC)

The final stage after all the infrastructure works is completed, but before vacant possession by purchasers,
will require the issuance of certification by the appointed consulting engineer on a prescribed form that the
development and construction are completed and have complied with all the approved plans and approval
conditions. A Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) must be issued before the properties are
handed over to the purchaser.

4. Conflict Between Development and Conservation

In some cases, economic development projects have been at odds with environmental conservation efforts.
For instance, large-scale infrastructure projects like highways, rail lines, and industrial parks often conflict
with the need to protect natural reserves and wildlife habitats. One notable case is the East Coast Rail Link
(ECRL), which sparked controversy over its potential environmental impact on forest reserves and wildlife
corridors.

Economic and Development Impacts of Land Use Issues

The issues related to land use planning have a significant impact on Malaysia's economic and development
landscape:

1. Palm Oil Industry: Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producers of palm oil, but the industry
faces increasing pressure from global consumers and environmental groups to adopt more
sustainable practices. Unsustainable land use in palm oil cultivation has led to deforestation, but
initiatives like the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification aim to promote
responsible agricultural practices.
2. Tourism: Ecotourism is a growing sector in Malaysia’s economy, with areas like Sabah and
Sarawak attracting visitors interested in nature and wildlife. However, unsustainable land use,
deforestation, and pollution threaten to undermine the country's attractiveness as an ecotourism
destination, potentially reducing tourism revenue.
3. Real Estate and Urban Development: While urban growth drives economic development, poorly
planned cities can lead to inefficiencies, rising costs, and increased environmental degradation. High-
density development, green infrastructure, and smart city initiatives offer potential solutions to these
challenges.
Case Study 1: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and Its Impact on Land Use

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is indeed a significant infrastructure project in Malaysia, aiming to
connect the east and west coasts of Peninsular Malaysia1. While it promises economic benefits by improvin
g connectivity and stimulating regional growth, the project has faced criticism for its potential environmenta
l impact1.

The proposed route passes through forested areas, raising concerns about deforestation and habitat destructio
n1. Additionally, the construction process itself can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and disruption of lo
cal ecosystems.

Despite these challenges, the government has taken steps to mitigate the environmental impact, such as impl
ementing an Integrated Land Use Master Plan and conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). Th
ese measures aim to balance development with environmental conservation and ensure sustainable land use
planning.
Case Study 2: The Impact of Deforestation in Sabah

Sabah, one of the Malaysian states in Borneo, is home to rich biodiversity, including rainforests that are
among the oldest in the world. However, the region has faced significant deforestation due to logging and
the expansion of palm oil plantations. This deforestation has not only threatened wildlife, such as
orangutans, but also disrupted local communities and indigenous peoples who rely on the forests for their
livelihoods. The government has since introduced various initiatives to address these challenges, such as the
Heart of Borneo initiative, which aims to conserve large tracts of forest through atransboundary cooperation.
Map showing Yayasan Sabah Foundation Management Area in 2010. From a paper published in
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B by Reynolds el al (2011).

Economic and Development Impacts

The issues related to unsustainable land use have wide-ranging impacts on Malaysia's economy and
development:

 Agricultural Sector: While palm oil contributes significantly to Malaysia’s GDP, unsustainable
practices have led to international criticism and potential trade barriers. There is growing demand for
sustainably sourced palm oil, pushing the industry to adopt better land use practices.

 Tourism: Malaysia's natural beauty and biodiversity attract millions of tourists annually.
Uncontrolled development and environmental degradation threaten to reduce the country's appeal as
an ecotourism destination.
  Climate Change: Poor land use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the effects of
climate change, which poses long-term risks to agriculture, water resources, and overall economic
stability.

Conclusion

Sustainable land use planning is crucial for Malaysia to ensure balanced development that benefits both the
economy and the environment. While Malaysia has made strides in promoting sustainable practices through
policies and frameworks, significant challenges remain, particularly with regard to deforestation, urban
sprawl, and balancing development with conservation. By continuing to emphasize sustainability in land use
decisions and engaging with local communities, Malaysia can protect its natural resources while promoting
economic growth.

Case Study 3: The Impact of Development

An example of positive sustainable land use is the "Iskandar Malaysia" project, which promotes
environmentally friendly practices and integrated urban development. This initiative successfully balances
economic growth with ecological preservation, demonstrating the potential for sustainable land use practices
in Malaysia.

The government has approved Forest City as a Duty-Free Island to promote tourism and stimulate local
economic activities, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He added that a tax incentive package for the Forest City Special Financial Zone has been introduced to
encourage financial services, including global business services and fintech.

Additionally, Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, announced the launch of the Single Family
Office Scheme for the Forest City Special Financial Zone.

"To ensure the success of the Family Office operations, the Securities Commission will serve as the
approving authority for resident and employment passes for founding family investors and related
investment professionals,” he said when presenting Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister highlighted the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ)
memorandum of understanding, signed in January this year, as a significant milestone in economic
cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore.
Conclusion

Sustainable land use planning is essential for Malaysia’s future, providing a framework to balance
development with environmental stewardship. While challenges exist, proactive government policies and
successful case studies illustrate the path forward. By enhancing sustainable practices, Malaysia can secure
economic viability while protecting its rich natural heritage.
References

 National Physical Plan, Ministry of Housing and Local Government

 Local Agenda 21 Malaysia Report

 Journal of Environmental Management, Sustainable Land Use Practices in Malaysia

 Article Attachment: "Deforestation and Its Impact on Malaysia’s Biodiversity and Economy", The
Star, 2022.

 https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2024/10/18/budget-2025-forest-city-secures-
duty-free-island-status
 https://news.mongabay.com/2012/07/industrial-logging-leaves-a-poor-legacy-in-borneos-rainforests/
 PLANNING-IN-MSIA-NPP4