Johor is working to improve its market environment to attract investors and boost the region’s prowess. The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is planned to be established in the Iskandar region, which is part of the Iskandar Development Region and South Johor Economic Region.
As Johor Bahru wants to become the next “Shenzhen”, Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) have to solve all of the urban issues in Johor Bahru as a better urban planning can help improve the quality of life for residents. A well-planned layout can provide access to essential services, amenities, and points of interest. It can also help reduce the negative aspects of urban life, leading to a healthier lifestyle and improved quality of life and most importantly – attracting foreign investment.
Car-Lite
[Table via Wikipedia.]
Malaysia vehicle per 1000 people is approximately 532. Other countries in the list have almost the same number as Malaysia does, but Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, South Korea have a well built public transport system unlike Malaysia. So the point is to have a good public transportation in cities in order to solve heavy traffic, air quality and car accidents. Government can start with pedestrian walkway – bus transportation – metro system and finally, limiting cars on road with strict laws.
Better Commercial District
Most of the commercial district in Malaysia cities are extremely car-centric and pedestrian unfriendly due to the lack of proper planning.
[Commercial district in Johor Bahru, Permas Jaya, Jalan Permas 10/7 (Google Maps).]
This commercial district in Johor Bahru is filled with cars and lack of pedestrian infrastructure, parking spot next to the road causing traffic jams, box junction on crossroads that is a 2-way road, no traffic light and pedestrian crossing on crossroads that are busy all the time.
Before redesigning:
After redesigning:
Well, how about the parking spots?
There are a lot of parking spots around the commercial district that are empty at all the time.
Malaysia’s cities can start to change their urban design starting from commercial district – suburbs – central business district and make a pedestrian walkway network (wide enough for bikes) connecting several suburbs and business district. Just have to copy Singapore for this – Singapore’s Park Connector Network (PCN).
*I’am not a professional urban planner, I’am copying from Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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