National Urbanisation Policy - Ministry of Housing and Local ...

National Urbanisation Policy58Thrust 5:CREATION OF A CONDUCIVE LIVEABLEURBAN ENVIRONMENT WITH IDENTITYSociety today is primarily concerned with acomfortable, user-friendly living environmentwith facilities for social interaction, in addition tocreating a sense of belonging for its population.This thrust shall emphasize on peaceful urban livingto be equally enjoyed by all urban residents so asto achieve the goal of improving solidarity. As theurban population increases, the urban environmentshould be planned and managed as a more attractiveplace for living, working and recreation.To create a liveable urban environment, it is vitalthat sufficient basic facilities such as housing beprovided, particularly for the low-income group andforeign workers. Programmes for low-cost housingshould be undertaken in urban areas in order toprovide adequate and affordable housing for thelow-income group as well as to resettle squatters.Housing should be located close to the place of workwith good accessibility to public transport and publicamenities. Housing for foreign workers should beplanned at specific locations for the convenienceof the residents and reduce problems for theurban environment.Major public amenities such as schools, recreationalareas, sports complex, places of worship, healthfacilities and cemeteries should be adequatelyprovided at suitable locations for use by all groupsof the urban population. Nonetheless, the high valueof urban land reduces the opportunity to provideadequate amenities at certain areas. Thus, it issuggested that a number of public amenities beprovided on a shared basis among several townsor local authorities, for instance, the provisionof cemeteries.The level of provision for public amenities shouldbe based on the hierarchy of a town so thatappropriate facilities may be provided. For the mainconurbations, such provisions should considerthe needs of the business community that requirevarious facilities of higher quality.The maintenance of public amenities should be givenemphasis to ensure that they could be effectivelyutilised. In this context, community involvementshould be promoted to reduce costs borne by thegovernment to provide and maintain these facilities.A culture of maintenance needs to be introducedthrough awareness programmes for the residents.