Putrajaya a model green city

In a world where the weather is wreaking havoc and animals such as the Western Black Rhinoceros/West African Black Rhinoceros have recently been declared extinct, sustainable development has become imperative.

Putrajaya is a shining example of a modern Malaysian city that has embraced sustainable development and green technology, said Putrajaya Holdings chief executive officer Datuk Azlan Abdul Karim at a symposium at the Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel recently.

He said the township was intended to be an eco-friendly, modern city from its inception and would continue to adhere to the principles of sustainable development.

"We look forward to developing green buildings in the coming development phases as well as equipping the premises with renewable energy. We hope to be recognised as Malaysia's first green city," he said.

"Sustainable development is not limited to concerns about direct and obvious negative impacts on the environment but also the creation of sustainable, connected communities.

"It is in this spirit that Putrajaya develops its residential, commercial and recreational spaces."

Azlan said this at the symposium on "Experiential Learning For Sustainable Development" organised by Putrajaya Holdings and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

He said Putrajaya was already gearing up to achieve its 30:70 target ratio for traffic and parking facilities.

He said there were about 80,000 residents in Putrajaya.

Azlan said the city would maintain a 30 per cent designated space for parks and landscape even when its population density reached the maximum target of 350,000 residents and 500,000 working population.

"The jewel in the crown of the city's greenery is the 170ha Putrajaya Wetlands.

"It is deemed to be the world's largest man-made freshwater wetlands in the tropics.

"It helps to promote nature conservation, especially of endangered flora and fauna," he said.

Azlan said it was Putrajaya Holdings' strong belief in the values and importance of sustainable development that made it collaborate with UiTM to host the event.

"We see no better way than to invest our resources in thought-provoking programmes such as this, that allow an exchange of ideas between industry professionals and innovators," he added.

More than 160 participants took part in the symposium.

It was launched by Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib, who represented the Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

Associate Professor Dr Masran Saruwono, the dean of UiTM's faculty of architecture, planning and surveying, spoke on behalf of UiTm vice-chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar.

He said he hoped that Putrajaya Holdings' efforts to revitalise the green agenda in the realm of the built environment in Malaysia would provide the impetus to drive the national green agenda through the exchange of ideas and the sharing of experiences at the symposium.

Source: NAVEEN MATHEW MENON
streets@nstp.com.my