MALACCA, March 1-The Town and Country Planning Department and local authorities in each state need to plan towns which are sustainable, resilient and in line with the country’s progress without damaging the natural environment.
Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said towns had to be designed in a comprehensive manner in order to avoid disasters or damages which could result in destruction of property and loss of lives.
“Every element of development taking place today must take into account the durability of the area so that future generations do not point fingers at us.
“Safety aspects need to be the main basis for the development of every town and this is a major challenge for all parties to ensure for the future welfare of towns,” he told reporters after opening a 2016 Seminar on Strengthening the Resilience of Towns in Malaysia Against Disaster Risks here, today.
Idris said developers were also advised not to put profit as the primary objective in developing a project and instead to comply with city planning guidelines that had been set by the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing, and Local Government.
He said in this regard, five key elements, namely education, structure, system, strategy and enforcement should be focused on to realise the goal.
