21st September 2010 Bandung Eco-Creative Fest Fair Bandung City Hall
The Penang Eco-Town Penang Eco-Town Area Initial Studies for Penang Eco-Town Policy Needs Legal Framework Importance of Policy Strategic Policy Interventions Eco-Town: Next Chapter Eco-Village Eco-City The Way Forward
Sustainability has been introduced in Penang development plans Eco-Town was mooted by the Penang Island Municipal Council, in a meeting with UNEP in 2006 Socio-economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI), a think tank, identified to assist in developing and implementing the Eco-Town concept
Identified area of transformation Penang Cyber City Mixed land use development, largely made up of industrial land Also have residential and commercial areas, as well as educational institutions Development on the land started as early as in the 1970s
UNEP-SERI first phase of study completed Identify the policy intervention needed by Penang Govt. for implementation Supplement study of GEC-SERI completed Needs survey conducted to identify technology that can be implemented to promote transformation of Eco-Town
Policy framework have been identified to guide the development of Eco-Town Provide proper guidelines and criteria to be known as an Eco-Town Provide catalyst and action plan for transformation Prevent mis-use of label by external parties of EcoTown
Malaysian laws on Eco-town and related activities are lacking No laws on recycling No take back, or buy back policy Environment-related laws are not comprehensive Penang recycling is solely voluntary, with highest rates in the country (16%-20%) Penang started with few environmental-friendly initiatives such as No Plastic Bag days and No Polystyrenes Initiative. A Cleaner, Greener Penang Campaign was started
Policy to have guiding principles of: Waste minimization Pollution prevention Resource efficiency Reduction of ecological footprint Policy to be targeted to reach out to: Industrialist Potential investors Government/Civil service Community
Policy will also help the realization of Eco-Town by setting targets: Achieving recognition of environmentally friendly procedures e.g. ISO 14000 Achieving standards as outlined in the policy e.g. Reduced usage of water, electricity Increase the recycling rate of the industry/plant Increase green initiatives in the area e.g. Planting more trees, having more open spaces etc
Policy targets are also extended to achieve the following: New residential development be environmentally friendly Retrofitting buildings based on Green Building Index Development of sustainable public transport in the area Reduced carbon footprint of community in the area
The UNEP-MPPP Eco-town in Penang Cyber City serves as a learning ground Refinement of policy is being undertaken before implementation Participation of State Government in formulating action plans Participation of other agencies to help make the area ecologically balanced Participation of industry players to help clean the environment
Penang Cyber City Eco-Town also serves as a catalyst for similar initiatives in Penang Lower level Penang Hill, an old hill resort, is taking up the option to establish an Eco-Village Focus on holistic environmental issues such as Waste management Water treatment and management Sewerage Transport
On a larger scale, a new site, Batu Kawan, has been identified as potential area to be build based on ecologically friendly principles The Batu Kawan Eco-City will see the potential to integrate: Eco industrial parks Eco residential areas Green manufacturing hub Green open spaces Integrated public transport system Have attracted interest from various parties, including the World Bank
Second phase of implementation from UNEP Public dissemination Awareness raising Advocacy of more industries Compilation of resource materials Further collaboration from other Eco-Towns i.e. Shenyang and Bandung Looking forward to further the initiative, as the interest is growing
Ben Wismen Socio-economic & Environmental Research Institute, Penang