Lee: Provide constructive plans so that we can come up with strategic solutions.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is hosting two additional briefings this weekend to explain proposed changes to the local town plan for Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
The first briefing on the Petaling Jaya Local Plan (RTPJ) 2035 (Replacement) took place at the MBPJ headquarters last Friday.
The next session will be held on Jan 24 at Jalan Cempaka SD 12/1 (in front of McDonalds Bandar Sri Damansara), while on Jan 25, the briefing will be held at the field of Desa Mentari (Block 4, 5, 6).
Both sessions will begin at 11am.
The current draft of the RTPJ 2035 (Replacement) prioritises transit-oriented development (TOD) and transit-adjacent development (TAD), among others.
The TOD concept focuses on reducing dependency on cars by promoting high-density developments planned around transit stations, said MBPJ Planning Development Department director Lee Lih Shyan.
He added that the TAD concept referred to buildings or areas located near public transport hubs.
Among the draft plan’s priorities, he said, were ensuring that it complied with the low-carbon city concept, spearheading new economic sectors, establishing international tourist zones and setting directions for sewerage management.
It also outlines development plans for the Kelana Jaya area, creating care economy special zones, redeveloping old areas and implementing smart city initiatives, added Lee.
“When draft plans are presented, do not just give the city council your objections.
“Provide constructive plans so that we can come up with strategic solutions,” he told about 100 Petaling Jaya residents who attended the first session.
Lee said Petaling Jaya was divided into five city hubs: Petaling Jaya Selatan, Kelana Jaya, Kota Damansara, Bandar Utama and Damansara Utama.
“When we plan for the city, we have to take into consideration the impact on all areas.
“We have to look at development holistically as well as consider demographic factors when carrying out city planning.”
Lee added that the draft plan included developments that would be affordable for middle- and low-income groups.
Section 6 Rukun Tetangga chairman Rajesh Mansukhlal, who was present at the briefing, said the draft plan placed greater focus on older areas in Petaling Jaya, and was comprehensive.
However, he said, it did not focus on road infrastructure apart from a proposal for an underground route connecting Jalan Penchala to the PJS area.
“I do not see any plan for the Jalan Sultan and Jalan Penchala roundabout, despite developments in the area.
“I urge the authorities to resolve traffic congestion before approving higher plot ratios.
“In neighbourhoods like mine, the gridlock is so severe during peak hours that residents are effectively trapped in their own homes,” Rajesh said.
The draft plan will be on display at MBPJ headquarters until Feb 16 and can also be downloaded from www.rtpj.my
