Ipoh, Malaysia
City population: 840000
Duration: 2017 – 2021
Implementation status: Completed
Scale: Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Project area: 194694 m2
Type of area: Natural Heritage Area/Untouched nature, Cultural Heritage Area, Public Greenspace Area
Last updated: May 2023

Since 2012, the Municipality of Ipoh continued the revitalization and rehabilitation of the D.R. Seenivasagam Recreational Park (TDRS) under the Malaysian National Urbanisation Policy, which suggests that for every 1,000 inhabitants, there should be public green open spaces of 2 ha. Through this intervention, the Ipoh municipality tried to address several sustainability challenges, which are usually a result of the lack of green open spaces. Some of the challenges addressed were the urban heat island effect, soil erosion resulting from improper drainage, and noise pollution. Ultimately, the municipality aimed to provide a convenient setting for a variety of leisure and recreational activities in addition to enhancing the civic values of the community. The intervention consisted of several tree-planting actions organized by the Ipoh Council in collaboration with the Perak Government (a Malaysian state that has its capital in Ipoh). D.R. Seenivasagam Recreational Park was built in the 1950s and is one of the largest urban parks in Ipoh. It has become a favourite among locals as well as an example of good practice for integrating green open spaces in addressing sustainability challenges over the years. Located in the vicinity of the Kinta River, during the early days of its opening, it was a mini botanical garden which eventually transitioned to a full-scale park, one of not too many in Ipoh. The park also includes a lake with wooden bridges that contributes to the diversity and habitat of the place. The DR Park, as it is known to the locals, has entertained many families for more than 25 years, starting as a mini-theme park during its formative years, much to the delight of many children. To date, the park has remained a popular spot with abundant greenery and attractions, an oasis within Ipoh’s city life. (1,2,3,4)

D.R. Seenivasagam Park 1
D.R. Seenivasagam Park 1
https://www.petitgo.com/

Overview

Nature-based solution

  • Blue infrastructure
  • Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
  • Parks and urban forests
  • Large urban parks or forests

Key challenges

  • Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Climate change mitigation
  • Environmental quality
  • Noise reduction
  • Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
  • Habitat and biodiversity conservation
  • Water management (SDG 6)
  • Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
  • Health and well-being (SDG 3)
  • Creation of opportunities for recreation

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Maintenance and management of urban nature

Project objectives

The goals of the intervention aimed to: 1. Reduce soil erosion by absorbing excessive rainwater which in return improves the drainage within the surrounding township during the monsoon season. 2. Reduce noise from transportation and industries with trees and plants. 3. To green the city, as well as to reduce the urban heat island effect by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and emitting Oxygen (O2) through the process of photosynthesis which indirectly reduces the threat of global warming. 4. To provide adequate open public spaces by the adoption of a standard green space area/inhabitant as well as conservation of the existing fauna and flora in the park. 5. Act as an indicator of ecological health and sustainability of the Ipoh local community. (1,3,4,6)

Implementation activities

As early as 2012, there were signs that the Municipality of Ipoh is considering the D.R. Seenivasagam Recreational Park in its plans to improve the lack of green spaces in the city. In 2019, the Perak state government and Ipoh City Council jointly decided to plant trees in the city to reduce urban heat. And, a total of 2,590 trees were planted in a 2km radius covering Ipoh Old and New Town and also DR Seenivasagam Recreational Park. The trees that have been chosen are Penarahan and Merawan Siput Jantan trees, due to their low-maintenance requirements. The initiative was part of the Perak Bumi Lestari (Sustainable Earth Perak) agenda that supports the process of framing various forms of development including taking proactive steps to preserve the surrounding environment. The park also includes a lake with wooden bridges that contributes to the diversity and habitat of the place. (3,4,7)

Climate-focused activities

Climate change adaptation:

  • Implement measures that prevent/manage desertification, soil erosion and landslides
  • Increase or improve urban vegetation cover to help reduce outdoor temperature

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity conservation:

  • Protect and enhance urban habitats
  • Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
  • Protect species
  • Undertake specific measures to protect species
  • Means for conservation governance
  • Protect and apply traditional knowledge and conservation practices

Main beneficiaries

  • Local government/Municipality
  • Citizens or community groups
  • Young people and children

Governance

Management set-up

  • Government-led

Type of initiating organisation

  • Regional government
  • Local government/municipality

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

  • Unknown

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The project was government-led with the Ipoh City Council being the main initiator alongside the Perak regional government which provided the funds under one of its urban projects. There is no indication that for this particular action, other stakeholders have been involved. (3,4,7)

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? No
... a national policy or strategy? Yes (The intervention was in line with Malaysia's National Urban Policy. (6))
... a local policy or strategy? Yes (The intervention is part of a regional plan called Perak Bumi Lestari (Sustainable Earth Perak) agenda that supports the process of framing various forms of development including taking proactive steps to preserve the surrounding environment. (7))

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

  • Public regional budget

Type of funding

  • Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

No

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

  • Climate change
  • Lowered local temperature
  • Enhanced carbon sequestration
  • Environmental quality
  • Reduced noise exposure
  • Green space and habitat
  • Increased green space area
  • Increased number of species present

Economic impacts

  • Increased property prices
  • Attraction of business and investment

Socio-cultural impacts

  • Social justice and cohesion
  • Increased opportunities for social interaction
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Improved physical health
  • Improved mental health
  • Gain in activities for recreation and exercise

Type of reported impacts

Expected impacts, Achieved impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Yes

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

Yes

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

References

1.Ministry of Housing and Local Government (2006), Malaysia National Urban Policy, available at Source link (accessed 31-03-2023)
2. Ipoh Echo (2021), D.R. Seenivasagam Recreational Park – A Major Attraction of Ipoh, available at Source link (accessed 13-2-2023)
3. The Star (2021), Perak moves to reduce urban heat, available at Source link (accessed 31-03-2023)
4. Edge Prop (2019), Perak govt to plant 2,590 trees to reduce urban heat, available at Source link (accessed 31-03-2023)
5. Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (no date), Open Spaces in Urban Malaysia, available at Source link (accessed 31-03-2023)
6. Rabiah Hj. Ahmad (2012), Urban Green Space Feature Assessment in Ipoh City Using GIS Technique, available at Source link (accessed 31-03-2023)
7. IpohEcho (2021), Reduce Urban Heat via Tree-Planting and Energy Efficiency, available at Source link (accessed 31-03-2023)
Planting activities
Planting activities
https://www.ipohecho.com.my/2021/04/03/reduce-urban-heat-via-tree-planting-and-energy-efficiency/
Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the "NBS 2022" UNA Asian extension project funded by the Asia-Europe Foundation.