Rozali (seated, second right), Rosnani (brown headscarf), MPSP building director Nor Hanis Noordin (standing, far right) and councillors showing the guidebook during the press conference at the MPSP headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
THE Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) will release a brief guidebook to ensure all developments adhere to the universal design needs effective June 1.
Its president Datuk Rozali Mohamud said releasing the book was in line with the council’s vision to make Seberang Prai “an inclusive city for all”.
He said the MPSP was constantly one step ahead in providing effective and efficient municipality services, development planning and infrastructure.
“As a concerned local authority, the council has prepared a brief guidebook on universal design to assist the council, the implementing agencies and Principal Submitting Person.
“It will help in the planning and designing of the urban environment to meet the needs of all individual groups that include children, senior citizens and disabled, irrespective of their ages, sizes and physical abilities,” he added.
Rozali was speaking to reporters after chairing a full councilmeeting recently at the MPSPheadquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam.
Also present was MPSP secretary Rosnani Mahmod.
He said the book constitutes a brief guide for universal design which is based on the document MS 1184:014 (Universal Designand Accessibility in the Built Environment Code of practice) issued by the Malaysia Standard Department and document checklist access by Universal Design MS 1184:2014 issued bythe Local Government Department.
The provision to prepare the facilities for the disabled is also mentioned under the bylaw of the uniform building (UKBS) 1984 through Section 34A which makes it compulsory for all public buildings to provide easy access for the disabled to enter, exit and to be in the building and provide facilities for their use.
They have to adhere to the Malaysian Standard (MS) 1184and MS 1183.
The guidebook on universal design comprises eight categories.
Among them are preparation guide for car park, route tobuilding, ramp, staircase, handrails, doors, toilet facilities and family friendly facilities.
The target group to use the guidebook comprises architects, consultant engineers, planners,registered plan drawers, government agencies, supermarket/commercial building owners, developers/contractors, students, MPSP staff members and officers.
Accessing the guidebook can be done by logging into the MPSP website: www.mpsp.gov.my/info MPSP/Garis Panduan/Bangunan effective today.
The guidebook can be seen without cost but it cannot be downloaded.
The users can also purchase the guidebook at the MPSPs Building Department at RM25 per copy.
