In an effort to transform Malaysia’s towns and cities into liveable communities with improved quality of life, affordable housing, cleaner environments, and green transportation alternatives, the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) is offering a RM200,000 grant to local authorities that achieve recognition through the Malaysia Urban Planning Awards (MUPA). This incentive aims to encourage and support Smart Cities transitions.
Smart City Grants:
- Beginning next year, local authorities that win the Malaysia Urban Planning Awards (MUPA) will receive a RM200,000 grant from the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT).
- These grants will empower local authorities to fund projects and activities related to Smart City initiatives, fostering urban development that prioritizes sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity.
MUPA Recognition:
- The Malaysia Urban Planning Awards (MUPA) is an annual platform organized by the Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) to acknowledge local authorities and developers that excel in providing municipal services within their respective areas.
- The Smart City Rating Award is one of the categories designed to encourage local authorities to embrace Smart City initiatives, aligning with the Standard MS ISO 37122:2019 Smart City indicator.
- The awards recognize excellence in achieving sustainability, eco-friendliness, and social inclusivity.
Smart City Early Adopter Status:
- The Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) aims to have all 61 local authorities with city status and above achieve Smart City Early Adopter status by 2025.
- This status represents a commitment to Smart City principles and initiatives, contributing to the development of liveable, sustainable communities.
Promoting Community Empowerment:
- The theme of this year’s World Town Planning Day (WTPD) is “Malaysia MADANI Liveable Communities,” emphasizing the importance of empowering communities through urban governance for balanced quality of life and well-being.
- Community-based planning, empathy, and inclusivity play significant roles in aligning development with the needs of residents and fostering sustainable growth.
Building Sustainable Cities for Future Generations:
- The National Planning Congress (NPC) 2023, held concurrently with WTPD, featured discussions on building sustainable cities for future generations.
- Topics included environmental stewardship, renewable energy, resource-efficient urban development, and Smart Government Services to enhance the Ease of Doing Business.
- Leadership in climate-resilient city planning and incorporation of sustainable development goals were also discussed.
Welcoming Smart Government Services:
- Putrajaya Corp introduced the OSC 4.0, an online platform streamlining planning permission processes, reducing approval times from 53 to 48 days. Further reductions to 14 days are envisioned.
- Leadership’s role in building climate-resilient cities and Ipoh City’s framework for Smart City transformation were highlighted.
- Sustainable development goals and the Well-being of Future Generations Act in Wales served as models for inclusive growth and long-term planning.
The grant initiative, combined with efforts to promote Smart City principles and community empowerment, aims to transform Malaysian towns and cities into sustainable, liveable communities that prioritize quality of life, affordability, environmental conservation, and accessible transportation options. Recognizing excellence through the Malaysia Urban Planning Awards (MUPA) contributes to fostering sustainable urban development in the country.
