Malaysian Nature Society

Urban Community Forest

Bukit Persekutuan

Monash University summer class

13-14 December 2016 B.P. hill

• Last green network in the city center •~74 ha •Low density, recreation •Historical, 1950s govt. bungalows & planted gardens •Secondary forest on slopes and gullies •Urban wildlife

•Borders: East- Taman Tasik Perdana, , Parliment & Taman Tugu West- North- Damansara South- KL Sentral, B.P. Timeline

• Ancient times: Forested hills and swamps • 1896: Government Quarters for Europeans under the Federated Malay States • 1900s: Earliest Government Building- Bangsar Hospital for the European community. Currently the Institut Pengurusan Kesihatan. (multi-development in the future) • Formerly a rubber estate • 1929: old map showing the current MNS building • 1990s: National Science Center (this building) • Significant buildings Galeri Sri Perdana, Istana Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Perak. • 1999: The Tapir has landed • 2007: MNS Bukit Persekutuan conservation initiative • 2008 MNS Heritage Trail developed • 2008: Sri Bukit Persekutuan Condominiums • 2015: MRT Service building • 2016: MNS UCF BP project

Heritage Buildings?

119 old Government bungalows with gardens, single and double storey

With servant quarters, garage and chimneys for the kitchen

Some with intact porthole windows, ventilation roof, louvre windows and old roof tiles

Good examples of residential quarters from the 1950s

2 strange design buildings: possible 1960s design or remodel Other Government Buildings

-Balai Polis Travers

Institut Kesihatan Umum & Pengurusan Kesihatan Malaysia

Galeria Seri Perdana Some government buildings rented out to NGOs: -Yayasan Pembangunan Pondok Malaysia

Malaysian Nature Society may have Asrama Darul Falah PERKIM (ASDAF) look like the building on the left.

Gerakan Belia 4B

Kelab Bekas Komando Malaysia Bulan Sabit Merah Other private buildings on the Hill Negeri Sembilan Palace Perak Palace Kedah Palace

MRT Maintenance Building

Bungalows along Lorong Seri Bukit Persekutuan Lingkungan Negeri Travers, Bukit Travers Condominiums Sembilan private and part of Jalan residence Selangor Backbone Animals

8 Mammals 5 Amphibians 9 Reptiles 77 Birds Non Backbone Animals 17 species of moths 42 species of butterflies 22 species of dragonflies and damselflies 2 species of cicadas 1 species of stick insect 2 species of fireflies

34 families of Insects Wild and Planted Flora

234 Flora (in 82 families) 97 wild species and 37 planted species 8 endemic flora 21 threatened flora Positive Attributes and Benefits of B.P. • Addition to the KL Green Lung Network • Extension to Lake Gardens • Provide Ecological Function - Reduce GHG, heat, - Absorb rainwater, reduce flash floods, reduce erosion - Mature forest trees for shade, natural air filter - Stopover for Migratory Bird • Increase property value Positive Attributes and Benefits of B.P. • Proximity to tourist sites - Muzium Negara - Taman Tasik Perdana - Taman Tugu redevelopment - Old KL City Centre - Brickfields - Old Railway Station - Galeria Sri Perdana - Bangsar • Complement KL Sentral Commercial Area and transportation hub and MRT • Easily accessible by public and tourist Threats to B.P. • City center- high land value • Small size easily bought over • Opposite KL Sentral • Fringe development along Jalan Travers • Erosion prone - steep slope • Vacant building- no maintenance, attract illegals • Invasive plants and animals • Clearing of mature garden trees • Rubbish in the forested valley • Burning rubbish Current • Federal Govt.- Kementerian Dalam Negeri Mechanism • DBKL- Maintenance & administration Safeguarding • KL Structure Plan 2020 B.P. World Class City –world class living environment, working and business environment and governance

International Zone designation (pg. 17-12 (869)) - “High density and high rise development in the Bukit Persekutuan, and Bukit Tunku shall not be encouraged so as to preserve the existing low density and high quality residential areas. .. “

POTENTIAL THREAT:- Pressure for development – close proximity to KL Sentral and City Centre World Class Environment Ensure complete & City Policy integrated city • health and education- linkages (Page 6-16 (195) nature education, Chapter 15 green lung - Linking together green spaces will • recreational encourage a diversity of flora and fauna attractions-nature trail, to permeate into the heart of the City as exercise well as helping to improve air quality and • Housing Density area- providing amenity to the citizens of Kuala Low density in Lumpur specified high quality residential areas shall 2 July 2007 (Star) –system of green be maintained linkages connect pockets of greens especially where these areas contribute to the green network. Shall not permit development on hillside with slope that exceeds the allowable level, rules & regulations set by the Federal Government Tourism Urban Design & Landscape Policy Chapter 8 - Chapter 14.

. Open Space, sport facilities and recreation Area -6.52% of total KL landuse excluding private golf course . Objective to Create a Tropical City - retention and enhancement of important of major treed areas and hill ridges as visual backdrops continuous green network of open spaces ‘Designate the - retain and maintain mature trees found in all areas and ensure that historic urban core the character of designated areas which have a preponderance of mature trees is preserved. as the main cultural heritage centre’ ‘Development of Tourism resources- …heritage attractions- architectural designs, galleries, (Education)’ KL urban green areas scarcer and affect communities well being Justification Project needs: -Mechanism safeguarding B. Persekutuan green areas from development of UCF Bukit -landscape context of both nature and historical architectural heritage Persekutuan The green areas of Bukit Persekutuan UCF will: - Provide fresh clean air - Noise buffer - Reduce city heat - Pleasant view - Shelter for urban wildlife and rest stop for migratory birds

UCF will be a center for: - Environment education - Recreation, Relaxation and Rejuvenation - Tourist attraction (will improved property value)

Project will enhance & enrich B. Persekutuan to remain low density, an urban green lung, conserving and promoting biodiversity, cultural, architectural heritage. UCF is In line with the draft KL Structure …to be a World Class City MISSION To preserve the Bkt Persekutuan Green Lung and provide space for the well-being of city dwellers for generations

1 year project Biodiversity survey & mapping & nature trails of UCF - UCF to compliment the Perdana Botanical Gardens and Bkt. Tugu Forest Park with own nature educational trails - UCF facility for environmental education - UCF forest plants nursery for enrichment planting

OBJECTIVES -To create awareness, develop and mobilise the local communities for UCF -To carry out a biodiversity & building heritage survey & demarcation of UCF -To develop the UCF nature facility and UCF nature education trails -to develop a management and conservation plan for UCF. BENEFICIARIES

- The City itself - Heat sink and clean air for city dwellers - The surrounding Bukit Persekutuan residents - KL Sentral property owners (high price with a greenery) - Urban youths and children - Students and teachers - Nature lovers - Joggers and walkers - Bicyclist - Health therapist - Tourists and visitors - Dignitaries and royalties - Local urban wildlife - Roosting, feeding and resting forest for migratory birds - A model study site for urban landscape for students and researchers - An international Urban Community Forest showcase for the City and the nation - Climate Change, Biodiversity, Forest Coverage and Millennium Goal achievement OVERALL OUTCOME

Community led and involved natural heritage activities at the BP UCF leading to conservation of the urban greenery & wildlife. UCF Centre. UCF local forest plants nursery Vegie–Herb-Flower garden Composting Pulai Loop Trail Cempedak stream Trail Four UCF educational

Heritage Trail trails

Jungle Fowl Trail Activities… enrichment planting, night walk, flora walk, birding, urban farm walk, nature talk

Message

• B. Persekutuan should retain its current natural & architectural character. • Be gazetted as a Green Lung for the city. • Only compatible development that enhances its role as a green lung & a place for recreation & education. Thank you