FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENTDEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURE KKKH 4284 SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT TASK 7: URBAN RENEWAL Student’s Name: MUHAMMAD IMRAN BIN MOHD JUNAIDI Matric No. A133239 Lecturer’s Name: PROF. IR DR. RIZA ATIQ BIN O.K. RAHMAT TASK 7: URBAN RENEWAL Kajang has transformed itself from a small old town to a big modern town by designing and developing new township such as Bandar Baru Bangi and Bandar Seri Putra as well as extending its CBD (central business district) such as extension to Sungai Chua. However, its centre is inadequately transformed and most of its residences are working in Kuala Lumpur and other external areas. Write your vision and plan for Kajang to transform its town centre and to be a self-reliance town. INTRODUCTION Kajang is an old town in the eastern part of Selangor, situated 21 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur. Kajang is the district capital of Hulu Langat governed by the Majlis Perbandaran Kajang. This city is included in Klang Valley or Greater Kuala Lumpur because the position of Kajang is between the three major cities (Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Putrajaya). Kajang's main population centres are Sg. Kantan, Sg.Jelok, Sg.Ramal, Sungai Chua, Sg. Sekamat, Bandar Mahkota, Jalan Reko, Jalan Bukit, Bandar Sungai Long, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Cheras Perdana. However, its center is inadequately transformed. Urban renewal is needed in order to change the old Kajang center. Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. The process has had a major impact on many urban landscapes, and has played an important role in the history and demographics of cities around the world. Urban renewal involves the relocation of businesses, demolition of structures, relocation of people, and the use of eminent domain (government purchase of property for public purpose) as a legal instrument to take private property for city-initiated development projects. OBJECTIVE The key objective of Kajang transformation is to develop a sustainable modern city. This could be achieved based on the following concepts; i. Vibrant City Centre -compact city; mixed used activity centres and corridors ii. Transit supportive iii. Ecological optimisation THE TRANSFORMATIONS i) Vibrant Centre City-compact city; mixed used activity centres and corridors; therefore promoting Complete Communities and Strong Residential • A compact and well-designed urban form that efficiently utilizes land and infrastructure Along with the demand for compact structures, an important condition was that all corner plots should be built on. Masjid Kajang will be placed at the center of this development; as a center for the residents and the working people activities. There also will be green spaces and water features around this area. • Variety of housing forms at transit supportive densities, local services, school, public parks, spaces and other amenities and employment opportunities The new development of Kajang centre should expand along Jalan Cheras. Stadium Kajang will be demolished and turned into blocks of residential housing. Different housing options (private apartments, social housing, private homes); housing for disabled persons; housing for different ethnic representatives; old people centre as well as private child-minding. The materials for house building construction are non-toxic and recyclable to prevent more construction waste and also cost to bring them outside the area. Mix used activity center New landmark of Kajang The other side of the main road, will be the government and private offices in multi storey building (100 stories, perhaps) with same concept of Urban Transformations Centre in Malaysia (UTC). It is a one-stop centre that brings together multiple government and private agencies under one roof for the convenience of the public. This building with modern architectural concept will be the new landmark for the town. Next to this building is a multiple storey parking to serve the community. Most of the colonial-era shop houses in this area constructed around 1920s to 1930s is a combination of traditional Chinese and European designs. These buildings will be conserved and turned into brand-outlet boutique as many European countries did for their death city. Metro Kajang Plaza will be upgraded to the world class shopping mall with 5-stars hotels constructed above the mall to attract people from outside especially tourist to visit Kajang. ii) Transit supportive – Choices in the way to travel The renewal of Kajang centre will be started with upgrading the existing Jalan Cheras starting from the point X junction until Arkib Mara, Jalan Reko (point Y). This will include 700m metres street design incorporates public and private infrastructure: streets that can be safely crossed by pedestrians, traffic flow and curbside parking that provides a buffer for walkers from moving vehicles, attractive and broad sidewalks, and the potential for using a portion of sidewalks next to buildings for commercial uses. Roads and walkways from outside the central area provide easy access, with effective signage for parking and transit hubs. To solve the traffic congestion in Kajang City Center, Bus Rapid Transit System will be implemented to combine the capacity and speed of a light rail system with the flexibility, cost effective and simplicity of a bus system. The bus system of Curitiba, Brazil, exemplifies a model Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and plays a large part in making this a liveable city. The buses run frequently, reliably, and the stations are convenient, well-designed, comfortable, and attractive. BRT Curitiba, Brazil The concept of the “naked street, shared space” by removing all the things that were supposed to make it safe for the pedestrian – traffic lights, railings, kerbs and road markings. This will created a completely open and even surface on which motorists and pedestrians “negotiated” with each other by eye contact. In the residential area the car access is forbidden, except for Kajang City Center residents; cycle paths ensure access to all facilities in the neighbourhood. Naked street are effective in traffic calming measures. Car parking spaces are mainly arranged in small areas, either set into the hillside or at ground level. Around a third of car parking is underground. To reduce the parking space needs in the inner courts, a parking space ratio of 0.8 per apartment was set at Kajang center. A cycle-friendly street layout with a designated cycle street running the length of the district. Environmental compatibility and the compact community were the main aims of transport planning for the Kajang center. The federal government have announced to improve the public transport system by building a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system in the Klang Valley where Kajang is included in this system with nine stations within the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) area. Out of this nine, three would be at the Kajang town centre. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)service started from Sg. Buloh to Kajang(KTM station) links the settlement with the city centre. It began construction in June 2011 and full operation is expected to commence in 2016. iii) Ecological optimisation • A healthy natural environment A comprehensive plan was required to apply best-practice principles over the entire project, requiring strategies for responsible soil, water, and waste management, site construction waste management, use of environmentally sound building materials, energy-efficient construction techniques, and the use of renewable energy sources. Kajang could reduce CO 2 emissions by 50% compared to typical residential developments, “through savings on aircondition, hot water, and electricity use with no reduction in living comfort or homeliness.” It was mandatory that all building construction adhere to Low Energy House (LEH) standards, which would work in conjunction with renewable energy sources to achieve this 50% reduction goal. A quality assurance programme was devised consisting of quality inspectors that would examine building plans and oversee construction to ensure LEH adherence; training sessions will be conducted to architects, builders, and tradespeople to educate them on energy efficient construction, and advised residents on energy-saving measures. The ‘Mulden-Rigolen’ system from Germany for decentralized retention and infiltration of rainwater” was used throughout Kajang to create a system of retention and infiltration that would not cause large changes to the local water ecology. Waste Management Concept includes building waste, and domestic and commercial waste. By requiring developers to use materials for construction that are non-toxic and recyclable, about 80% of construction waste will not be landfilled. Systems for pre-sorted waste collection, encouragement of home composting, and encouragement for retailers to use low-packaging retail goods were part of the domestic and household waste plan, as well as a “dense network of repair and alteration services” throughout the development that encourage people to follow the motto ‘mend it, don’t dump it’. Concept of Mulden Rigolen A Recycling Center will also be provided at farm area. A batter system will be used when the community send their recycling goods at this center. They could exchange with fruits or vegetables from the farm. This activity will help to encourage the community to recycle their recyclable item. Farm for planting vegetables and fruits will be located along the river; could encourage the community to fully utilise the river functions. River riparian area is the most fertile for planting vegetables. Vertical farming concept will be used to increase the agricultural product. A few restaurants and bakery serving the fresh food from the farm is encouraging the community to come this area. The famous local food “Satay Kajang” will be placed near the river for people to enjoy the food as well as the surrounding environment. Local production of vegetable Famous Satay Kajang Besides that, river beautification and cleaning is needed for recreational usage for the community. Restoring the river to a more natural state provides a variety of habitats for local wildlife, including fish. Other improvements include the installation of a pedestrian path including railing (along the river)for safety purposes, bridges, as well as planting more trees and flowers to give a sense of freshness and beautify the surrounding area. Throughout the construction, local materials have been used and native trees, shrubs and seeds have been specified, to make construction more sustainable. River Front Development Guideline will be adapted for this river stretch. River cruise could be provided for people to enjoy bot riding. However, the responsibility and awareness of the community to take care of the river is very important to ensure that our river is Clean, Living, and Vibrant. River beautification encourage the community have a sense of pride of their area. CONCLUSION Every redevelopment/urban renewal project undertaken with the help of public investment or privatisation, has a positive impact on the public. It brings a variety of benefits to the public at large and especially to the neighbourhoods in which a project is undertaken. Since not all projects are the same, nor do they have the same blighting influences, the measure of success will vary from project area to project area. Redevelopment must always serve a public purpose to warrant the investment of public funds. Following are some of the public benefits, both tangible and intangible, that result from redevelopment: • Creation of jobs. Redevelopment creates new jobs, both temporary jobs during the construction phase and permanent jobs once a project is complete. These jobs range from entry level service jobs to higher paying management jobs. • Creation of public infrastructure, schools and parks. Generally infrastructure improvements associated with the redevelopment. These include site acquisition and clearance; construction and/or reconstruction of streets, water and sewer systems; and removal of hazardous materials or conditions. • Creation of housing. Redevelopment projects help increase and improve the city’s housing stock. The projects have created both market-rate and affordable housing. • Improved quality of life. Although difficult to measure, there are many intangible benefits of redevelopment that fall loosely into the category of “improved quality of life.” Redevelopment projects can allow residents to live near where they work, spending less time commuting to jobs and shopping. They can help reduce the crime rate, making an area safer. And they can improve the beauty of an area, making it more desirable and helping boost property values. • Reduction of pollution/environmental contamination. Redevelopment also can lead to reduced air pollution if the project includes a pedestrian orientation and is designed around existing transit stations. Because residents can live, shop and socialize in their immediate neighbourhoods, or take public transportation to other parts of the city, dependence on the automobile is reduced. Transit-oriented development/redevelopment also reduces traffic congestion. • Prevention of urban sprawl. Redevelopment provides an alternative to urban sprawl by allowing infill development and adaptive reuse of inner city sites that have ceased to function in the use for which they were intended. • Provision of retail in underserved areas. While many people take for granted the ability to buy groceries, get a haircut or get clothes dry-cleaned near their home, residents of older, less affluent neighbourhoods often don’t have these amenities nearby. One objective of redevelopment projects has been to revitalize retail in underserved areas of the city. • Historic preservation. Reuse older buildings, combined with the financial incentives that make such redevelopment feasible, have helped the city preserve its heritage for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.