Malaysia's TOD challenge: Bridging the policy gap

• Effective TOD requires not only inter-agency cooperation but also partnerships between local authorities and developers.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 14):  A comprehensive and progressive approach to urban planning will be the cornerstone of the National Planning Congress (NPC) 2024, as stakeholders gather to discuss innovative solutions for Malaysia's rapidly growing cities.

While national planning frameworks are in place, issues like traffic congestion, housing affordability and climate risks continue to persist in conversations on urban planning. NPC 2024 aims to foster creativity and fresh thinking to tackle these recurring challenges head-on.

The gap between policy and practice

“A significant issue is the lack of gap analysis between policy statements and their implementation. While the government has outlined ambitious plans, the actual execution sometimes falls short,” NPC 2024 convenor TPr Hj Ismail Muhamad told EdgeProp.my.

“The policy has to be evaluated and improved as it is mandatory according to our national constitution. The evaluation process should be based on quality data, followed by analysis and the proposal of policy statements leading to implementation,” added Ismail, who is also the former director of the City Council Subang Jaya (MBSJ) City Planning Department.

Ismail highlighted that Malaysia's urban planning has historically been focused on cars, as evidenced by the country's thriving automobile industry, which produces large numbers of vehicles each year.

He also noted that, even after years of climate change discussions, many factories in Malaysia still do not meet modern environmental standards. This leads to a systemic issue – there is a disconnect between laws, regulations, and industry practices. While policies are in place to reduce air pollution, factories continue to rely on outdated methods of operation.

The key to successful transit-oriented development in Malaysia

Given the significance of transit-oriented development (TOD), what policies and regulations can local authorities implement to support its growth?

Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) president Datin TPr Hjh Noraida Saludin stressed that one of the key challenges facing TOD in Malaysia is the fragmented ownership of land surrounding transit hubs. Different individuals and developers own the land, making coordinated development difficult.

“Effective TOD requires not only inter-agency cooperation but also partnerships between local authorities and developers. There have been positive examples of such partnerships, such as the Bangsar LRT station, where pedestrian walkways seamlessly connect the station to nearby buildings. This model of collaboration shows how well-coordinated efforts can greatly benefit the public,” she added.

Noraida mentioned that the success of TODs in Malaysia hinges on coordinated planning, strong local authority involvement, and effective partnerships between stakeholders. By prioritising public interest and ensuring seamless connectivity, urban planners can create thriving, pedestrian-friendly environments around transit hubs.

Overcoming Malaysia’s transportation and urban development challenges

On the other hand, although Malaysia has employed various strategies to address urbanisation challenges, there is still a long way to go in achieving the sustainable cities envisioned by the authorities.

“There are specific goals set for 2030 [to address traffic congestion] to achieve a balanced split between public transport and private vehicles. At present, only 24% of the population uses public transport,” NPC 2024 deputy convener Datin TPr Hjh Mazrina Khalid stated.

Mazrina highlighted that a survey by the Ministry of Transport showed Malaysians still prefer personal vehicles, citing concerns about safety and inadequate first and last-mile connectivity as major deterrents to using public transport.

"Many people find public transportation uncomfortable and inconvenient. Without stricter enforcement, the preference for private vehicles will continue. A shift requires not only stricter regulations but also significant improvements to the public transport system," she explained.

Innovating for a better urban future: Key themes at NPC 2024

NPC 2024, an annual event organised by the MIP, will present a forward-thinking vision for urban development under the theme "Urbanism Next 3R". This year’s event will focus on three core sub-themes: Reimagine, Reinvent, and Revitalise (3R).

The congress will feature insights from international and local experts in urban planning. Various parallel sessions will delve into topics such as "Reimagining housing for the future: Innovative approaches to affordable, sustainable, and inclusive living",  "Reinventing smart cities: Integrating technology for more resilient, inclusive, and efficient urban living" and "Placemaking as a catalyst for urban regeneration: Redesigning public spaces to revive communities".

The event will take place on Oct 29 at the Everly Hotel in Putrajaya, with EdgeProp supporting as the media partner for NPC 2024.

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