FEATURES
PROVISION OF OPEN SPACES AND GREEN NETWORK The distribution of large open space, green area and green network in Kuala Lumpur is based on the availability of large publicly owned land that can be developed for that purpose. Parks and recreational areas are usually developed from ex-mining land, ex-landfill area and some are identified from forest reserves. Since the planning of recreational area and green space is based on the availability of publicly owned land, the location is usually far away from population concentration. The accessibility to the park is via means Figure 2: Distribution of Open Spaces in Kuala Lumpur
of transportation. The ideal mode of reaching the park by foot, needs to be promoted by the authority. The distribution of open space is shown in Figure 2 showing that there are some parks in Kuala Lumpur which are not accessible by foot or public transport. Users have to drive to the park in order to enjoy the facilities. Taman Tasik Perdana and Taman Tasik Titiwangsa are some of the examples.
and highway reserves, river corridors, utilities and other public transportation reserve. Encroachment of other land uses on the infrastructure and utilities reserve has contributed to the declining amount of green connection in Kuala Lumpur. Provision of seamless pedestrian connectivity and green network needs to be addressed at the planning stage of development.
Figure 2 also illustrates that there is no significant connection of green network in Kuala Lumpur. This is due to the lack of integrated effort to create a network of green areas through connections of spaces alongside road
QUALITY AND POTENTIAL OF GREEN AREA The distribution of parks in Kuala Lumpur are as follows: • • • • • • • • • • •
Lake Gardens Titiwangsa Lake Park Permaisuri Lake Park Batu Metropolitan Park Datuk Keramat Lake Park Bukit Jalil Park Pudu Ulu Park Kepong Metropolitan Park Manjalara Lake Park Rimba Kiara Park Lembah Kiara Recreational Park
Quantity of open space with manicured landscape is essential in modern living. Kuala Lumpur, still requires to examine the need in terms of quantity and quality. The number of open spaces provided by Kuala Lumpur City Hall is far below the one needed by its residents. Efforts to upgrade existing facilities in parks and gardens of Kuala Lumpur are essential in order to advocate garden tourism in the city. Each park has its own significant character that can be enhanced to attract users. Table 2 simplifies the potentials of each park in Kuala Lumpur.
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VOL. 07 / ISSUE 01 / NOVEMBER 2010
37