1.1    INTRODUCTION

Malaysia’s aspiration to become a fully developed nation by the year 2020 is contained in its primary goal of Vision 2020 which sets the framework for the type of community in the year 2020 thereafter. While Vision 2020 stresses the need for economic development with equity, it also emphasises that environment should not be capitalised at the expense of the community but develop carefully to achieve a sustainable community. In order to materialise Vision 2020 with the view of attaining sustainable communities, Malaysia has formulated a comprehensive and universal planning doctrine as the guiding principle called the ‘Total Planning Doctrine". This doctrine calls for the harmonious relationship between Man and Creator, Man and Man, and lastly between Man and Environment in order to attain a balance and sustainable development economically, socially, spiritually and environmentally.

To further strengthen current inadequacies of the planning system in this country, an Integrated Planning and Resource Management [IPRM] approach was promoted. Zainuddin [1997] stated that key characteristics of this system include the integration of environmental management and socio-economic planning in landuse planning and the timely access to decision support information system in the process of development planning.

Planning deals with physical development and subsequently involves decision making and selection amongst alternative development path and selecting a line of action that returns benefit to the developing country. Hall [1996] recommended the use of geographic information system [GIS] because it is capable of integrating geographical data with other data from various sources to provide information necessary for decision-making in planning sustainable development. Of all the geoprocessing functions, map overlay has been probably the most useful tool for land suitability analysis in planning and decision making.

To strengthen the planning system, the Town and Country Planning Act, 1972 [Act 172] was amended in 1995 to incorporate modern needs and conditions for better quality environment for the community and includes:

1. Preservation of natural topography;
2. Preservation of trees;
3. Provision of adequate open spaces;
4. Preparation of Development Proposal Report for all planning applications; and
5. Inspection of owners of adjoining land.

However, the need for housing particularly, in the urban areas in recent times has tempted developers to capitalise the environmentally sensitive areas where the basic value for safety plays second fiddle. Ibrahim [1998] suggested that although hilly areas could be developed selectively, there is great danger of geotechnical hazards and supports the call for conservation and engineering controls. Cecilia [1998] too acknowledged there must be a certain degree of development but there must also be an adequate understanding of the impact of development on the ecosystem and the environmental consequences and the consideration of the economic costs which will inevitably arise from environmental damage.

In fact, hilly areas initially were not developed because they were comparatively expensive areas to develop. Unfortunately, the pressure for development has attracted developers to exploit the location comfort and benefits of these more tranquil urban areas that offer comparatively cooler and greener landscape set in a more rustic, natural environment as well as being close to nature. Close proximity to work and play and the added value of status quo have also been thrown in as bait. Sharon Kam [1999] stated that according to statistics from the Federal Territory Development and Klang Valley Planning Unit, the total built-up area of hill slopes of 25 degrees and above [deemed sensitive and where development is discouraged] in the Klang Valley was 663.2ha. in 1997. Thus, if this not given due consideration, it will give rise to all sorts of negative implications affecting the natural environment with regards to climatic changes, wild life, the quality of air and water, etc. To prove this point, Zainul [1997] estimated a decrease in forest area would result in a corresponding decrease in the amount of rainfall if that forest area were developed.

Decision-makers too may have been folly enough to approve housing projects in environmentally sensitive areas or it could be that they were poorly advised by the respective authorities that may also lack the skill or knowledge to illustrate objectively and effectively the dangers and consequences of approving such proposals. If that was not the case, it would be doubtful ugly memories like the Highland Towers incident at Bukit Antarabangsa, Hulu Klang would not have come about. Of recent times, soil erosion near Puncak Athenaeum-at-the-Peak, another condominium relatively close to Highland Towers also re-ignite the dangers, inconveniences and pitfalls that constantly worry the occupants. Tan Peng Peng [1999] stated that this has raised the need for a comprehensive policy on hill slope management by the authorities to prevent further landslides.

As the economy and the demand for housing begins to pick up momentum, the use of GIS is seen as a most appropriate tool to enhance the effectiveness of processing planning applications for housing projects in environmentally sensitive areas, as in this case, the vicinity of hilly areas. With the current thrust of the government into information technology, the time is ripe to explore the possibilities of exploiting and incorporating the technology of GIS for purposes of town planning. GIS could also further assist the decision making process and make decisions more objective as well as more transparent in the eyes of the public.

Town and country planning and GIS also share the similar interest in common:

1. They both deal with land, and geography and maps;
2. They both have a tendency to deal with a large volume of data; and
3. They both deal with the manipulation of maps to guide decision making;

Kathleen Hastings [1996] stated that GIS has the ability to analyse and manipulate all sorts of data for a variety of purpose and implications. As such, this thesis aims to illustrate how GIS can be used as a useful and practical computer aided tool in the form of a decision support system to assist decision makers, particularly in the government sector to make better decisions ultimately, developing them to be more responsible, concern and caring toward society at the federal, regional, state or local level. This project will concentrate on the ability of GIS to assist the town planner in developing sound planning justifications to advise the appropriate authorities either to approve unconditionally, approve with conditions or reject a planning proposal in hilly areas. Such justifications could further assist the planning authority in defending themselves in the event an aggrieved applicant makes a formal appeal to the Planning Appeal Board. From an investment point of view, it could also assist the planner to provide valuable advice to potential clients on queries as to whether their proposals would be approved or rejected if formally submitted. It could alternatively be used as a planning monitoring model to identity projects already built or committed in environmentally sensitive areas so that pro-active appropriate action can taken up by the relevant parties to avert future disasters.

As town planning deals with physical and other spatial problems, a GIS could tackle these problems by functioning as a Decision Support System [DSS] modelled to address spatial problems. Consequently it would more appropriately function as a Spatial Decision Support System [SDSS]. In general, the study methodology is outlined as follows:

1. Objectives of the Study;
2. Scope of Study;
3. Scope of Work;
4. Study Area;
5. Data Collection; and
6. Work Schedule

1.2     STUDY METHODOLOGY

1.2.1 Objectives of Study

That GIS can serve as a decision-making tool to assist town and country planning by expediting the processing of planning applications, in particular, planning applications in hilly areas;

To develop a GIS database for monitoring physical developments, built or committed in environmentally sensitive areas and advise the appropriate actions to take for the safety of the occupants.

To develop a GIS planning expert system model to identify specific areas in the vicinity of hilly areas suitable or not suitable for development.

1.2.2 Scope of Study

Review the use of GIS, trends, strengths, limitations and how GIS can function as a spatial decision support system in processing planning applications.

To review the planning processes and identify planning criteria and parameters for processing planning applications in hilly areas.

The identification of a study area.

Development of a GIS database system.

Development and testing of a planning model for processing planning applications in hilly areas and subsequently model the study area.

Analyse findings and outline areas that would require further research.

1.2.3 Scope of Work

Review documents on the development of GIS in the field of town planning.

Create a database of geographic information incorporating relevant spatial and textual data for the study area. These are later linked through a geocoding process to enable georelational analysis.

Identify parameters based on planning and environmental criteria. Provide value judgement for the respective parameters. Develop and test the planning model and make amendments where necessary.

Model the study area based on the planning expert system model.

Analyse the findings and make recommendations for to the approval or rejection of a particular development proposal and in cases where approval has already been awarded, the necessary mitigating measures to alleviate any physical dangers and avert disaster.

1.2.4 Study Area

1.2.5 Data Collection

Restricted

1.2.6 Work Schedule

Restricted

Cecilia Oh. [April 1998] Highland Development: An Integrated Approach to Policy, Planning and Management, World Wide Fund for Nature.

Ibrahim Komoo. [April 1998] Pembangunan Kawasan Tinggi: Kawalan Berdasarkan Perancangan, LESTARI, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Kathleen Hastings. [August 1996] Making the Right Decision with DSS and GIS In: GIS Asia Pacific, Vol. 2 No.4. pg. 8.

Kerajaan Malaysia. [1976] Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 [Act 172], Percetakan Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

Kerajaan Malaysia. [1995] Town and Country Planning [Amendment] Act, 1995 [Act A933], Percetakan Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

Patrick A. V. Hall, [1996] Use of GIS Based DSS for Sustainable Development: Experience and Potential In: http://www.qub.ac.uk/mgt/papers/devel/hall.html

Sharon Kam, [30.5.1999] Comments, Looking Beyond Building on Hills, The Sun,

Tan Peng Peng, [31.5.1999] Metro News, MP: Policy Curb Landslides Needed, The Star.

Zainuddin b. Muhammad, [December 1997] Planning Methods Towards Achieving Sustainable Community, Planning Malaysia, Issue 5.

Zainul b. Ayob, [December 1997] Pengurusan dan Pengekalan–Kawasan Tanah Tinggi Planning Malaysia, Issue 5.