Understanding Sustainability Beyond the Buzzword

The term “sustainable” has become a buzzword across industries, and attending the UIA 2024 International Forum in Kuala Lumpur helped me grasp the deeper meaning of sustainability. It goes beyond the basic 3R concept (i.e., Reduce, Reuse and Recycle); it involves listening to and transforming the entire ecosystem to achieve sustainable living that transcends mere economic systems.

AR MUSTAPHA KAMAL ZULKARNAIN demystified sustainable living during his session on Kuala Lumpur’s path to sustainability, presented by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) (DBKL). One particularly interesting example he shared was the Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS), designed to efficiently manage surface water efficiently in urban areas by providing a natural alternative to traditional systems that rapidly channel water underground.

SUDS capture, store, and clean rainwater, mimicking natural drainage processes. They mitigate flooding by temporarily retaining water, reducing runoff, filtering rainwater and improving groundwater levels. For instance, implementing permeable pavements allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing the risk of surface flooding - especially crucial as traditional systems struggle to cope with heavy rainfall.?

With climate change and increased development, surface water flooding is set to worsen, leading to more frequent and intense rainfall. SUDS not only alleviate flooding but create habitats for urban wildlife and provide opportunities for water reuse. Sustainability is essential in building resilient cities, complementing initiatives that enhance greenery, accessibility, and community interaction. As we face the realities of climate change, integrating disaster risk management into our planning becomes increasingly vital.

During his discussion on the “Covid Pause - Rethinking KL Urban Plan”, the questions he posed on the presentation slide prompted me to reflect deeply: “Do we need to continue existing as we did before? Do we truly require more shopping malls? What steps should we take regarding plastic waste and garbage? What vision do we have for our city” As he suggested, the Covid-19 pandemic serves as a moment for reflection and offers us a unique opportunity to rethink and reshape our lives, our cities, and our environment.

One of the key messages I took away was the need to rethink our approach to work by adopting sustainable methodologies. This involves valuing the perspectives of subordinates and actively including the younger generation in decision-making - not just as a rhetorical gesture, but by genuinely considering bottom-up thinking alongside traditional top-down approaches. Essentially, we should embrace the SMART framework: System (Sensor), Monitor, Analyse, Reconfigure and Thinking (Rethink).?

After the session, I visited the DBKL booth to learn about The Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 (KLSP 2040), a long-term strategy that integrates Sustainable Development Goals into the city’s framework. Initiatives like GOKL, which promotes public transport to reduce congestion, and the 4-hectare rooftop Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) City Park, are designed to foster a sustainable landscape. This aligns with the speaker’s emphasis on the importance of a well-structured approach to planning, providing and protecting in order to achieve the vibrancy, vitality, value and variety of Kuala Lumpur.

As we think about the future, what kind of Kuala Lumpur do you hope to see in the next two decades?

#SUDS #ClimateResilience #GreenInfrastructure #UrbanSustainability #DisasterRiskManagement