Ng (right) planting a tree along Persiaran Puchong Legenda in Puchong as (from left) Hew, Yap and Noraida look on.
IT IS more challenging to develop former mining land due to the technical requirements involved, so efforts to revive such brownfield sites should be lauded, said a town planning expert.
“More technical studies are required when it comes to redeveloping former mining land. One reason is because its soil condition is different,” said Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) president Datin Noraida Saludin.
“But if nothing is done to such sites, it becomes a waste of space and resources.
“Hence, developers that come in to redevelop former mining land should be lauded for their efforts,” she said, citing Bandar Sunway and Puchong as locations where mining was previously carried out before they were developed into new townships.
Meanwhile, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) councillor Yap Kok Weng said there were efforts by government agencies and private developers to use some former mining ponds as retention ponds as part of flood mitigation measures.
They were speaking after a Pledge and Plant a Tree (Papat) event at an open space along Persiaran Puchong Legenda, Puchong Legenda in Puchong.
The programme was a collaboration between MBSJ, MIP and property developer Huges Development.
Selangor local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han planted one of the 30 trees of two species contributed by Huges Development.
Papat is an annual initiative by MIP held in conjunction with World Town Planning Day to green the environment and reduce carbon emissions.
In his speech, Ng said: “Events such as this encourage a more sustainable lifestyle and love for the environment as well as strengthen cooperation between a local authority and private developer.
“It also goes towards supporting the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry’s National 100 Million Tree-Planting Campaign to plant 100 million trees by 2025.
“This programme is in line with MBSJ’s Subang Jaya Local Plan 2035 to increase public awareness of the environment, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, in the hopes of achieving international green city status by 2035.”
Ng, who is also Kinrara assemblyman, added that Selangor government had set a target of planting 26 million trees by 2026, with suitable trees to be planted based on location, such as forest, coastline and residential areas.
This is in line with the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s call for the planting of 26 million trees to mark his 26-year reign.
On Puchong Legenda, Huges Development managing director Hew Fen Yee said: “This is a 68.8ha mixed development project, with the residential portion to be completed first.
“We have invested a lot in the greenery and landscaping of our project, for the benefit of the people and environment.”
