Workshop on Special Area Plans

What say you on the issue below?

FOR THE first time, residents, developers and other stakeholders were given a say in the drafting of the Petaling Jaya Special Area Plans (RKK).

The plans would detail the development, traffic and infrastructure aspects of four areas in the city:

• PJU1 (PJU1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10)
• PJU 2 (PJU 6, 7, 8 and 9)
• SS (SS2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26)
• PJS (SS10, Section 18, PJS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10).

The plans cover a land area of 7,559 hectares with a total of 565,200 residents.

During the initial publicity workshop, more than 80 people, including residents, developers, consultants and police officers formed focus groups to discuss issues affecting the various areas in Petaling Jaya.

Getting everyone involved: Participants of the Special Area Plans workshop taking a look at the exhibition during the launch.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman launched the event that took place at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Civic Hall in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.

MBPJ town planning director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali said that residents’ involvement in the previous Petaling Jaya draft plans was limited to briefing sessions with a one-way communication process.

“In line with the principles of the Local Agenda 21, we are having these workshops to encourage discussions and get everyone involved,” she said.

She added that this time around, the drafting of the plans would take into consideration the carrying capacity of a local area, where development limits would be decided based on the infrastructure, physical and social capabilities.

According to Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar of Perunding IZM Consultant, who was the project coordinator, development is a double-edged sword because it attracts investment into the state but brings in a lot of traffic.

“We’re here to discuss the holistic planning of the city. PJ is very attractive to developers because it is very accessible. People talk about public transportation and increased parking spaces but every one says ‘Not next to my house’. It is very difficult in PJ because every one’s house is beside something,” Ihsan said.

Ihsan said the research process for the four Special Area Plans would take about eight months and involved studies on city layout; traffic impact; infrastructure and utility; and social impact.

“Today is the initial stage of the study. After we have compiled the input from participants, there will be at least two more focus group discussions until the plans are drafted,” he said.