PETALING JAYA: The secret to a “happy city”? It’s accessibility and good public infrastructure, say town planning experts.
One of them, Malaysian Institute of Planners past president Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar (pic), said town planning has a direct relationship with the built and natural environment, with both elements directly and indirectly affecting a person’s happiness.
“Local authorities are the direct ‘authority’ when it comes to the day-to-day lives of people in districts, towns and cities.
“Thus, the efficiency of local authorities in planning and managing their areas are a reflection of the people’s happiness. A well-managed and planned area would have sufficient recreational areas, good roads and transport system, and public amenities,” he added.
Ihsan was commenting on the results of the recent Malaysian Urban Rural National Indicators Network on Sustainable Development (MURNInets) 2021 Happiness Index study.
Covering 114 local councils in Peninsular Malaysia, the Federal Territories of Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, as well as Sabah, it ranked the Top 10 happiest places as Putatan (Sabah), Bentong (Pahang), Kuala Terengganu (Terengganu), Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Marang (Terengganu), Kota Baru (Kelantan), Hulu Selangor (Selangor), Tampin (Negri Sembilan), Pontian (Johor), and Jeli (Kelantan).
On the other hand, Majlis Perbandaran Kubang Pasu (Kedah), Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Majlis Daerah Beaufort (Sabah) were ranked lowest on the happiness scale.
Accessibility and convenience, said Ihsan, are also a good approach to measuring happiness.
He added that this can be used as a yardstick by the authorities to ensure that the overall environment is helpful to the community.
“Having a place to work, feeling that you and your family are safe and healthy, and being able to have access to these, makes one happy and makes for a happy community,” he said.
According to a government expert, a happy city is supported by an environment that provides sufficient and quality public amenities that are accessible to all, as well as one with basic and quality infrastructure such as clean and uninterrupted water supply and good quality broadband coverage.
From an environmental point of view, it must also be conducive in reducing the stress levels of dwellers and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
“It must also promote a happy work environment, as well as accessibility to the workplace without having a long commute. Workplaces that are equipped with childcare facilities will be conducive for community building.
“Community building can also be achieved through spaces which promote social gatherings on a neighbourhood level,” said the expert, who works in the Town and Country Planning Department.
Town planner Rene Fu Swee Yun said in the past, communities expected better infrastructure and transportation, but since the pandemic, people are now looking for a healthier life, a sustainable environment and effective governance.
She said the change in expectations on the quality of life and the definition of liveability are the challenges that town planners, urban managers, and local authorities will have to re-look.
“I see local authorities putting in the effort to engage with local communities. This is important so that the voices and needs from different levels of the community can be heard and be reflected in city planning,” added Fu.
On the MURNInets study, she said while rural and urban areas could have the same sustainability indicators, there should be different weightage of measurements based on their strengths and functions.
She said, for example, while Kota Kinabalu might not score highly in infrastructure, it has precious natural environment resources and conservation efforts.