Mula perancangan sekarang untuk hadapi cuaca ekstrem, nasihat perancang bandar

Planning for extreme weather is essential for urban development, not merely a reactive response, according to a former head of Singapore's Urban Development Authority (URA). Larry Ng, who led the URA for two decades since 2004, emphasized that city planning must consider each city's unique needs and conditions. He urged the development of closed-loop systems tailored to each city's specific circumstances, alongside strengthening collective efforts to build resilient cities.

Closed-loop systems involve using resources and waste materials repeatedly, rather than treating them as waste. Ng, who led the URA's sustainable development group, stressed that planning must begin now to prepare for future impacts, as cities are built to last for decades. He noted that infrastructure, roads, irrigation systems, or land use patterns designed today may still be in use 50 or 100 years from now.

If we wait until the effects are clear in 2100, it will be too late to alter the infrastructure already built. Ng stressed that planning, design, and foundation must be seen as interconnected fields, not separate discussions. Better coordination can prevent conflicting priorities and achieve more effective outcomes. Inconsistent planning decisions can create confusion, where the primary and secondary benefits of urban planning cannot be realized in the long term.

Ng emphasized the need for city-specific planning and comprehensive urban design, especially as land availability becomes increasingly scarce. He pointed out that Malaysia's approach to urban planning needs to be reconsidered, urging a shift from a control-oriented culture to one that actively promotes innovation. Ng, who will speak at the upcoming International Green Building Conference, called for a holistic approach to city planning tailored to each city's needs, prioritizing the diverse requirements of its residents to achieve comprehensive and successful outcomes in the short and long term.