Greenspace Planning and Management in Klang Valley, Peninsular Malaysia

In rapidly developing countries such as Malaysia, the importance of urban greenspaces is recognized, but due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, maintaining and developing greenspace is a major challenge. This paper analyzes the status of urban greenspace policy, planning, and management in Malaysia. For this purpose, information was collected about urban greenspaces and their governance, planning, and management, both at the national level and in six representative case cities in the most urbanized part of Malaysia, the Klang Valley. Data was compiled by means of a literature review, document analysis, and expert interviews with municipal officers in the selected cities. Results show the greenspace discourse in Malaysia has shifted its focus from one dominated by beautification to one concentrated on regarding greenspace as an essential part of the urban infrastructure. In spite of similarities in municipal greenspace management organization and legislation, each city has its own approach in terms of prioritized greenspace functions, greenspace planning, and collaboration with different actors and stakeholders. A shift is occurring toward greater involvement of nongovernment actors in governance and management. Challenges related to maintaining multifunctional greenspaces in a time of rapid economic development and urbanization call for better implementation of policy and legislation, and of balancing national visions with local needs.