Putrajaya: Pioneer Green City

Creation of new green areas, Creation of semi-natural blue areas

Transforming Putrajaya into a green city proves to be a complex action which requires complex goals, adapted to local realities and needs. PPJ categorised the environmental goals as follows: 1. To address negative environmental impacts such as increased temperature, increased carbon emissions resulting from human activities, as well as waste management through urban farming (community gardens), tree planting (Ref 3, 8). 2. To encourage human interactions with nature by integrating nature into the urban fabric (creation of a wetland, agriculture parks and botanical gardens) (Ref 2,3,6). 3. To improve water quality, manage stormwater (city-wide rainwater harvesting programme) and urban aesthetics thus incorporating specific roles for tourism, research, and education (Ref 2, 4). 4. To provide a habitat for birds and fish that enrich the biodiversity of Putrajaya (Ref 4). 5. To advocate for greener living practices which are promoted via the Education Programme and Awareness on Green Technology (Ref 1).

Putrajaya was developed as a city starting in 1995. Throughout the years, the city transformed itself into a green city through many local governmental initiatives. For example, in 1997 the Putrajaya wetland has been constructed with the purpose of treating catchment water resulting from the Putrajaya Lake. The Putrajaya Wetland was formed with 24 cells, divided into six arms. All arms except one discharge to the Wetland, before flowing into Putrajaya Lake. Eco-parks and botanical gardens were constructed starting in 2003 (Ref 2,10). Starting in 2008 community gardens were implemented through public consultations with the help of volunteers (Ref 8). Starting in 2021 PPJ initiated the tree planting programme that aimed at reaching 900k trees (both Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya). It was claimed that the Ministry of Federal Territories (of which PPJ is a part) would identify more species of trees suitable for the city's climate, with priority given to native species. The same authority urged stakeholders, including city folk, to cooperate to ensure the success of the initiative, while reminding them not to damage or cut down the planted trees (Ref 11). Additionally, the project created sports areas for the locals to use and relax (Ref 1). The project also created an urban birding hotspot at Putrajaya Wetland Park, which hosts more than 200 birds. This place also serves as a birdwatching space for tourists and promotes ecotourism. Furthermore, an 18-meter observation tower or walk along the nature trails along with a few bicycle lanes were created to encourage people to connect more with nature and to promote sustainability (Ref 7).

• National-level government
• Local government/Municipality
• Citizens or community groups
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)