Penang Strengthens Planning Requirements To Boost TOD

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- The Penang government is strengthening planning requirements for selected developments to ensure transit-oriented development (TOD) focuses not only on higher density, but also on connectivity and public amenities.

State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye said the requirements, being developed through PLANMalaysia@Pulau Pinang, were aimed at encouraging and strengthening TOD implementation in the state.

He said TOD components had also been included in the Draft Penang State Structure Plan 2040 (Review), adding that the concept was broader and should not be viewed merely as an approach to enable developers to build high-density areas.

"TOD is not about building more buildings, having a high population or high density, but it relates to overall connectivity and basic amenities for the public living in the surrounding areas.

"When there is an LRT (Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit project), bus stations, taxis and so forth in the future, residents need to have good connectivity to make it easier for them to use public transport," he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) Northern Branch Seminar titled ‘Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Penang: Promise, Potential and Risk’, here today.

H'ng said the state government would also introduce more guidelines and requirements related to TOD in the future, but their implementation would be carried out on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the location, environment and specific characteristics of each development.

He said the approach aimed, among other things, to strengthen first- and last-mile connectivity, particularly following the construction of the Mutiara Line LRT project in Penang.

"One of the measures being given attention is the provision of covered walkways, especially for developments located near TOD zones or public transport stations. This facility is important to encourage the public to walk and reduce reliance on private vehicles.

"If someone comes down from their residence and wants to walk to a place with a covered walkway, they can still walk rain or shine. We need to start now because if the LRT is already in place but there are no covered walkways and good connectivity, it will become a problem," he said.

According to him, the state government had also appointed a consultant to develop the TOD concept for Penang, which had been discussed at the state government level, while TOD areas had also been identified in the local plans of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).

He said Penang could no longer allow land use planning, development and transport to develop separately, particularly with the ongoing construction of the Mutiara Line LRT project.

"This is to ensure the people of the state can fully enjoy the benefits of every transport development being implemented, in addition to increasing the use of public transport," he said.

The one-day conference organised by the MIP Northern Branch focuses on Penang's preparations for the changes expected to be brought about by the Mutiara Line LRT project, as well as exploring how TOD can integrate transport, land use, housing, environmental sustainability and economic development.

-- BERNAMA