Area Character Statement
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Area Character Statement ISBN 978-967-5626-24-1 Area Character Statement Blueprint for Iskandar Malaysia ACKNOWLEDGEMENT List of agencies/ departments involved in developing ACS blueprint Federal Ministry of Information, Communication & Culture (KPKK) Badan Warisan Malaysia Jabatan Pembangunan Bandar dan Desa (JPBD) Johor State Chief Minister of Johor Office Yayasan Warisan Johor Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (MBJB) Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah (MPJBT) Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang (MPPG) Majlis Perbandaran Kulai (MPK) Majlis Daerah Pontian (MDP) Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Johor Tourist Guide Associations Historians Local Community Foreword Iskandar Malaysia is a National Project to develop a vibrant new region at the southern gateway of Peninsular Malaysia. A regional authority body Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) was formed with specific roles to plan, promote and facilitate in which to coordinate the economic, environmental and social planning, development and management of Iskandar Malaysia. IRDA refers to The Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) as the guiding document in developing Iskandar Malaysia, and subsequent to that, blueprints are prepared as a subset and supplementary document to CDP, which outlines detail findings, strategies, implementation and action plans. The Iskandar Malaysia Area Character Statement blueprint has been prepared to assist the public and private sector and the community to work together in managing heritage and cultural concerns within the Iskandar Malaysia region so that all can benefit in making the region a place to invest, work, live and play. The document is a non-statutory document that identifies the distinctive qualities and characteristics of Iskandar Malaysia, and suggests how they can be preserved and enhanced through proposed programs or project proposals as well as relevant guidelines. The Blueprint focuses on Area Character Planning addresses issues of design and character and involves more than looking at just the physical layout of development or the amount of open space to be provided. Therefore the study of an area character can be understood as a study that describes the distinctive qualities and characteristics of an area. This blueprint has twenty-five (25) initiatives and action plans to manage future Area Character planning in Iskandar Malaysia. The key objectives underpinning in this study are : to ensure that the historical and cultural aspect of the state are preserved, promoted and enhanced, and not lost amidst the on going anticipated modern development of Iskandar; to develop identity for Iskandar Malaysia by understanding the historical events that shape southern Johor since its beginning, that can contribute to the overall character of Iskandar and promoting Iskandar as a unique place to live, work, play and do business; and to ensure a well managed system of implementation of proposed enhancement and preservation of all Iskandar identity and character, which includes stakeholder engagement and public participation. CONTENT 1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1 1.1 Definition 1 1.2 The Study 1 1.3 Objective of the Study 1 1.4 Targeted User 1 1.5 Identification of Character 2 2.0 STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVEMENT 2 2.1 Stakeholders 2 2.2 Workshops 3 3.0 ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER 3 3.1 Natural Elements 3 3.2 Man-made Elements (including Built Heritage) 6 3.3 Social & Cultural Elements 7 4.0 ASSETS AND POTENTIALS 9 5.0 ISSUES AND THREATS 10 5.1 Nature 10 5.2 Urban Design 11 5.3 Built Heritage 11 5.4 Society & Culture 11 6.0 AREA CHARACTER 12 7.0 THE WAY FORWARD 14 8.0 STRATEGY AND PROPOSED PROGRAMS 17 8.1 Nature 17 8.2 Built Heritage 19 8.3 Society, Culture & Tradition 20 8.4 Urban Design 22 8.5 Implementation 23 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.1 Definition "Character" can generally be thought of as the look or feel of a place-that which sets it apart from other areas. Character planning addresses issues of design and character and involve more than looking at just the physical layout of development or the amount of open space to be provided. Character areas cover geographical areas of different size and each has a common setting, land use pattern or character of development that will lead to a logical character study. Thus the study of an area character can be understood as a study that describes the distinctive qualities and characteristics of an area. 1.2 The Study The Iskandar Malaysia Area Character Statement is a non-statutory document that identifies the distinctive qualities and characteristics of Iskandar Malaysia, and suggests how they can be preserved and enhanced through proposed programs or project proposals as well as relevant guidelines. The first of its kind, the study which started in March 2009 was undertaken by Iktisas Planners Sdn. Bhd. together with Hamdan Abdul Jamal Architect and Badan Warisan Malaysia, with Yayasan Warisan Johor as its key study advisor. 1.3 Objective of the Study The objectives of this study are: i. To ensure that the historical and cultural aspect of the state are preserved, promoted and enhanced, and not lost amidst the ongoing anticipated modern development of Iskandar. ii. To develop identity for Iskandar Malaysia by understanding the historical events that shape southern Johor since its beginning, that can contribute to the overall character of Iskandar and promoting Iskandar as a unique place to live, work, play and do business. iii. To ensure a well managed system of implementation of proposed enhancement and preservation of all Iskandar identity and character, which includes stakeholder engagement and public participation. 1.4 Targeted User The State: As a guidance for heritage listing, register and heritage building conservation especially those owned by state and royalty The 5 Local authorities: As a guidance to the characterization of landscaping (hardscape and softcape) of heritage values, ie: character for gateway, landmark signage and selection of trees (implementation of 3K: Kebersihan, Keindahan dan Keceriaan initiatives) MBJB, in particular: As a framework, and content for heritage related buildings and architectural, ie: JB Transformation, Heritage Trails Yayasan Warisan Johor: As a framework to assist in the improvement, upgrading and implementation of programs. Tourism Johor and Tourist Guide Association: As the content for tourism purposes, ie brochure, pamphlet and maps of historical and heritage signifi- cance Developers: As a framework to characterization of buildings and townships and data banks for naming of street, buildings and development General public: As a documentation to learn and understand the Southern Johor heritage and as a framework for further investigation and studies 1.5 IDENTIFICATION OF CHARACTER Four key elements were used in the identification of character: Natural Element - Coastline, beaches, mangroves and other forests, rivers, mountains, hills, plants and animals. Built Heritage Element - Historical buildings, infrastructure and gardens Social, Cultural and Traditional Element - People, food, attires, dances, performances, music, songs, games and festivals. Urban Design Element - Gateway, landmark, edges, nodes, path, etc. 2. STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVEMENT 2.1 Stakeholders The involvements of stakeholders were sought during workshops and discussions for clarification and verification of data, and for their opinions on proposed programs and guidelines. Key stakeholders consulted were: 1. State Planning Committee 2. Local Authorities • Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (MBJB) • Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru Tengah (MPJBT) • Majlis Perbandaran Pasir Gudang (MPPG) • Majlis Perbandaran Kulai (MPK) • Majlis Daerah Pontian (MDP) • JPBD Johor 3. Yayasan Warisan Johor 4. Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Johor 5. Badan Warisan Malaysia 6. Tourist Guide Associations 7. Historians 2.2 Workshops Over the course of the study, 3 workshops have been conducted involving stakeholders: • WORKSHOP 1 (14-15 April 2009): Bengkel Pemugaran Sejarah, Senibudaya & Tradisi Johor Di Iskandar Malaysia • WORKSHOP 2 (15 July 2009): Bengkel Inventori, Penemuan Dan Cadangan Awal Bagi Pernyataan Karektor Kawasan Iskandar Malaysia • WORKSHOP 3 (21 October 2009): Bengkel Identiti Dan Warisan Iskandar Malaysia 3. ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER The findings of the study have identified elements that are significant to the character of the area based on different category: 3.1 Natural Elements • Mudflats & Mangroves 1. Pulau Kukup FR (650ha.) 2. Tanjung Piai (part of Sg. Pulai FR) (526 ha.) 3. Sungai Pulai FR (7,633 ha.) 4. Sungai Perepat 5. Sungai Pendas 6. Sungai Danga 7. Sungai Kim-Kim 8. Sungai Johor FR (3,215ha.) Tg. Piai mangroves • Sandy Beaches 1. S tulang Laut 2. Pantai Lido • River Basins Major basins (sub-basins in brackets): 1. Sungai Pulai 2. Sungai Skudai (Sungai Danga) Stulang Laut beach 3. Sungai Tebrau (Sungai Plentong) 4. Sungai Johor (Sungai Layang) 5. Sungai Pontian Kechil Smaller basins: 1. Sungai Pendas 2. Sungai Perepat 3. Sungai Melayu 4. Sungai Masai Sungai Pulai mangrove 5. Sungai Kim-Kim exploration • Seagrass beds 1. Tg Kupang-Tg Adang-Pulau Merambong 2. Tanjung Surat-Pasir Gogok • Dipterocarp Forests (DF) 1. Lowland DF - Sedenak Forest Reserve (587 ha.) Dipterocarp Forests 2. Lowland DF - Bukit Hantu Forest Reserve (97 ha.) 3. Hill DF – Gunung Pulai Forest Reserve (3,521ha.) • Prime Agriculture Areas and Rural Settlements Various sites, largely the FELDA schemes and settlements, as well as the rural villages along the western and eastern Rural settlement provinces. • Urban Parks and Open Spaces Hutan Bandar, Dataran Bandaraya,