PJ achieves greenery target

Mohamad Azhan says apart from buildings, landscape also requires sustainable development.

GREEN areas in Petaling Jaya comprising water bodies, parks and rivers have reached 25%, surpassing the 20% target set by the city council for this year.

Mayor Mohamad Azhan Md Amir said this was revealed during an inventory conducted by a Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) consultant.

“When land is earmarked for a housing project, the developer is required to allocate 10% for green spaces,” he said, explaining the increase at the launch of Petaling Jaya Landscape Master Plan 2030 (PiLAN PJ) at The Spine@PJKITA Community and Business Centre in Kelana Jaya.

He said stakeholders could refer to the master plan to learn about MBPJ’s sustainable development in terms of landscape.

“When we talk about development, we always relate it to buildings but landscape also requires sustainable development,” said the mayor.

The first book of the master plan focuses on 13 strategic development plans for the city’s landscape while the second book consists of guidelines for landscape planning, among others.

The books are a great source of information for stakeholders in the city, said Mohamad Azhan.

Apart from providing clear guidance in landscape planning and development, he said MBPJ also wanted to strengthen the industry as well as protect the environment and biodiversity with the aim of achieving sustainable development.

Mohamad Azhan also said MBPJ had plans to provide a 150m-long covered walkway from Glenmarie LRT station to Stadium Kelana Jaya as a way to encourage people to use public transport while cutting down on carbon emission.

On another matter, he said the lake at Tasik Taman Jaya recreational park had undergone a desilting process and that the walkways and other amenities were being upgraded.

The lake would be reopened to the public by the middle of next year, he added.