Create more open spaces in cities
IT is time for the government, town planners and city developers to create more open spaces in major towns to reduce incidences of flash floods.
The recent flash floods in Kuala Lumpur caused much damage to property and disrupted people’s lives. Sadly, this is not the first time the city suffered from flash floods. For many years, city folk have had to endure floods, especially during the rainy season.
Many factors contribute to the floods like rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage system, climate change and even corruption. There are numerous construction sites in the city. With the rainy season, short- and long-term measures must be taken to alleviate the burden of the people.
Creating open spaces or green areas for parks and fields, as well as landscaping, can help. The landscape of urban open spaces can range from playing fields to highly maintained environments and relatively natural landscapes. With plenty of open spaces in the city and proper drainage system, it can provide enough room for water to flow, preventing floods. Besides the benefits of having urban open spaces, they also help to green the environment and provide aesthetic value for everyone to enjoy.
Major cities around the world have more than just buildings and people. The most livable cities in the world are best known for their open space areas like the Hyde Park in London and the Central Park in New York, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore and the Phoenix Park in Dublin. Open spaces in urban environments offer many advantages and fulfil urban policy objectives such as job opportunities, youth development and community building.
Any development or construction project should not be given automatic approval without taking into account factors that can sustain our environment and protect people’s lives and properties.
As our cities continue to grow, we must remember the aesthetic development.