City Hall Must Show Gumption, Says Town Planning Expert

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City Hall must show gumption, says town planning expert

After suspending its trial run for Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) last year due to

pressure from traders, City Hall should now have a clearer idea of how to make the system foolproof. - NSTP/ROSDAN WAHID

KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall has been urged to go “all the way” this time with its grand plan to close off at least 10 roads in the city to cars within the next five years.

After suspending its trial run for Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) last year due to pressure from traders, City Hall should now have a clearer idea of how to make the system foolproof.

Town planner Md Nazri Mohd Nordin said closing the roads should be accompanied by efforts to generate the economy in the affected areas.

“City Hall has to think of how to boost the frequency of public use of the area by activating the streets and buildings with dynamic programmes and events.

“Building activities in the areas go hand in hand with efforts to rezone and reorganise the street,” he told the New Sunday Times.

Headline City Hall Must Show Gumption, Says Town Planning Expert

Language English

Media Title NST Section/Page No

Date 09/02/2020 Journalist Veena Babulal

Source https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/563 967/city-hall-must-show-gumption-says-town- planning-expert

Remarks Town & Regional Planning

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“What’s important is for the authorities to show that this can work. We need to show that when streets are closed, more people will come and businesses will grow.”

He said the plan had to be supported by good accessibility and connectivity via a good transport system, with amenities that cater to the able-bodied as well as for those with special needs.

The former president of the Malaysian Institute of Planners said the pavements should be made more pedestrian-friendly to allow families to walk together.

Nazri said City Hall should have continued with its plan to close Jalan TAR last year, as the long-term benefits would outweigh any temporary setbacks if it was done right.

He said closures of busy business districts in major cities around the world, such as in London, Dublin, Brussels and Paris, were initially received negatively, only to emerge bigger and better after a while.

“Once the benefits of having the roads closed begin to show, only can the plan move forward.”

Closer to home, Nazri said, the success of the initiative to turn popular KL stretches car-free on Sunday mornings was an indication of an effective way to rejuvenate the city.

“It was an unpopular move when it first started. Of course, when you introduce something new, you will face resistance.

“Cars are a touchy subject for city folk. Given the chance, most people prefer to drive and park their cars right outside the shops.

“But City Hall must show gumption and press ahead. Of course, some tweaking is needed, especially with regard to improving public transport and infrastructure. But this should allow it to emerge better and not with more flaws.

“If we can prove that the system works, it can serve as a template for other states to follow in popular tourist areas such as Penang and Melaka, which have vibrant street scenes.”

Nazri said the authority had been toying with the idea of road closures in the city over the past two to three decades, but unfortunately lacked the political will to do so.

He said while it would be advisable for the authorities to consult all stakeholders before getting started, effective “guerilla tactics” through implementation of a plan prior to any consultation could also work in some cases.

Nazri observed that last year, local authorities had invested too much time and resources in consultation efforts only to have the project called off as they had failed to see eye to eye with the stakeholders.

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He believed that a new vision for Jalan TAR should have a good public transport system, better infrastructure and a desirable look and feel.

“All these can only come from having negotiations between the authorities and stakeholders. Therefore, it is vital that City Hall iron out all issues with the traders and find mutual ground, such as on loading and unloading times. We can’t deny that the support of the business community is vital.

“At the same time, we need a constant stream of activities and programmes to keep the streets vibrant.”

He suggested City Hall begin with a “hybrid system” for Jalan TAR by allowing the street to be plied by taxis and buses.

“But no matter how we do it, what needs to be done has to be done. We are late to the party as far as building green and sustainable cities go.

“This is just closing a road. In South Korea and New York, they are repurposing entire expressways into parks and green open spaces.”

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