Healthy Cities Islands Series 2

HEALTIN CITIES - HEALTIN ISLANDS PROGRAMME The WHO progrannne "Healthy Cities - Healthy Islands" fur the Western Pacific Regioo has been developed in response to the need of Member States to integrate effurts of various stakeholders in improving the health ofpeople living in urban areas and islands It is implemented following the concepts and approach outlined in "New Horizons in HeaIth~, a WHO initiative for the Western Pacific Region which was adopted by the WHO Western Pacific Regional Conunittee in 1994. The objectives are: (I) to minimize health hazards in urban areas/islands through the integration of health and mvironrneortal protectioo measures in the physical and ec:ooomic planning process; (2) to enhance the quality of the physical and social mvironment supportive of health in urban and island settings; (3) to increase public awareness towards healthier behaviour, lifustyle and habits; (4) to improve the provision of health services through developing appropriate health care systems in urban areas and islands; and (5) to upgrade country capabilities and develop policies to improve health in urban areas and islands through better intersectoral coordination and public participation ********* •• *****.**.********* ••• *****.* ••••• ** •••••••••••••••••• * ••••••••• ****** ••• ** •••• This document was originally prepared by staff of the Johor State Health Departmmt and Johor Bahru City Council, Malaysia in coonectioo with the development of a plan of action fur Healthy City - Johor Bahru with the support of WHO. ****.******** ••••• ** ••••• ***** •••••••••••••• ** •••••••• *•••••••••• ******** ••• ********* •• ** The documents in the Healthy Cities - Healthy Islands Series are published infunnally by the WHO Western Pacific Regional Environmental Health Centre. The findings, interpretations and conclusions are entirely those of the authors. Printed and distributed by: World Health Organization Western Pacific Regiooal Environmental Health Centre (EHC) P.O. Box 12550 50782 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel: 60-3-94803\\ Fax: 60-3-9482349 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Economic Profile 1.2 Social and Physical Profile 2. URBANIZATION AND HEALTH 2 3. URBAN HEALTH PLAN - TOWARDS A HEALTIfY JOHOR BAHRUCITY 2 3.1 Vision for a Healthy Jobor Bahru City by the Year 2005 3 3.2 Missioo for a Healthy Jobor Bahru City by the Year 2005 3 3.3 Plan of Action 3 4. CONCLUSION 6 ANNEX - DETAILED PLAN OF ACTION 7 I. INTRODUCTION Johor Baltru lies at the southemmost part of Peninsular MaJaysia, approp".ately making it the southern gateway to MaJaysia. From a smaJl village established in 1885 with the inhabitants comprising mostJy fishermen and fiumers, Johor Baltru has grown into a city with a population of nearly haJf a million, covering an area of approximately 119.5 square kilometres. Johor Baltru to\\11 was formerly managed by Johor Baltru MunicipaJ Council. It was officiaJly proclainJed a city in January 1994. The lohor Baltru City Council, as the Local Authority Board, is responsible for the administration, planning and development of the city. The structural plan which is inlplemented and revised every five years is targeted towards making Johor Bahru a unique, interesting and efficient city. I. I Economic Profile lohor Baltru city is the capital of the state of lohor. Business and trading activities are focused at the city centre and its surrounding. Hotels, shopping complexes and commercial buildings as well as financiaJ mstitutions are located here. IndustriaJ development has helped create many job opportunities. Industrial areas such as Tebrau, Larkin, Tebrau Jaya and Tan!poi Jaya provide well planned basic facilities. Presently, Johor Baltru has 570 factories in operation, 140 under construction and a totaJ of 770 factory projects that have been approved. The types of industries are mostly electric and electronics, textiles and te"tile products, clothes and food manufacturing. 1.2 Social and Ph"sical Profile Housing Various types of houses are built on each housing development sIte This concept allows for interaction among people of different income groups and hence help build a caring society. Basic amenities and facililles such as shops, schools, community halls and children's playgrounds are provided. Today, there are 97800 housmg units and the number is expected to rise further in line with the increase in population. Education At present, there are 24 secondary schools that accommodate a totaJ of 37 280 students and 55 primary schools with a totaJ of 54 166 students. Almost all children attend primary or lower secondary schools. Religious schools offer formaJ religious education. Such schools are under the administration of Johor' s Islamic Department. There are two teacher training colleges in the city and a University just outside the city limits. Sports and The city has an outdoor Stadium which can accommodate up to Recreation 40 000 spectators Another two stadiums, an indoor stadium and a hockey stadium, built in 1992, are easily accessible to aJl. Johor Bahru also offers golfing facilities. Lido Beach and Stulang Beach are most ideaJ for jogging, evening walks and fresh air. Here, jogging tracks and exercise facilities are - 2 - provided. There are many other public parks that are easily acx:essible in many areas of the city. Examples include Urban Forest, the Place Garden, Linear Garden and City Square. 2_ URBANIZA nON AND HEAL m The world is undergoing and will continue to undergo rapid urbanizatioo. By the year 2020, it is estimated that more than 30 cities in the world will have popUlations of more than 20 million. However, the majority ofthose staying in urban conglomerations, especially in developing countries, will not be living in comfort, nor will they be in optimal health. The role and responsibilities ofthe city councilor local government authority will become more pronounced and will act as the 'highest authority' in comparisat to the Federal Government, whose role will become increasingly limited. This is consistent with the global trend towards decentralization of politics and administratioo. Health problems in urban regions will multiply as the rapid urbaniz3tion process ex~ the ability of the local city councilor local authority to provide basic necessities, such as housing, health care, environmental protectioo and sanitation, and job opportunities, among other things. In Jobor Bahru, some of the urbanization problems faced by the city are the mushrooming of squatters arising from migrants, pollution, sewerage, waste disposal, unemployment and occupational health. 3. URBAN HEALTH PLAN - TOWARDS A HEALTHY JOHOR BAHRU CITY Jobor Bahru city responded to the global challenge of urbanization problems by taking part in the Healthy City project. The project started in 1994 and is jointly organized with the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective oftbe Healthy City project of Jobor Bahru is to improve the health status of local citizens by improving the quality of life and providing better health care facilities. Other objectives include: • To increase awareness of health issues in the city's development. • To include the participation ofmultisectoral agencies in the preparation and implementation ofa plan of action. • To increase the city council's ability to handle issues and problems with a more practical and holistic approach. - 3 - 3.1 V ISlon for a Healthv lahar Bahru City by the Year 2005 A healthy lahar Bahru city will be one where • There will be a mature, democratic, community-{)rientcd society, strong in religious, spiritual, and moral values and enjoying a high and optimal level of health • There will be a thriving and resilient economy wi:h emphasis on high technology, capital intensive indusuy, commerce and information technolog)', taking full advantage of its strategic location in the regIon. • The population will live in a healthy, aesthetic environment, free of pollution with ample green open spa"" that provides sufficient opportunities for leisure and recreation. 3.2 Mission for a Healthy Johor Bahru Citv by the Year 2005 The viSion of a healthy iohor Bahru city is to be achieved by a strong political will and commitment, and multisectoral collaboration with the full support and participation of the community. 3.3 Plan of Action A plan of action for a Healthy lohor Bahru City was formulated in May 1995 in which 15 government departments and local agencies were involved. The plan is a continuing initiative in developing and improving the quality of the environment, including both the physical and social aspects. It also includes the development of its human resources to enable the local citizens to lead a healthy lifestyle. The "Vision of a Healthy city', which includes environmental, social and economical aspects, was formulated. In developing the Plan of Action, a few healthy city principles were taken as guidelines. Among them were that:- • Activities would be based on observations of problems and issues of iohor Bahru City. • There would be community participation amongst local citizens and non-governmental organizations. • Citizens at all levels would benefit from the project. The detailed Plan of Action is given in the Annex. - 4 - 3.3.1 Phase I • Formation of steering commIttee • Public involvement and support • Increase awareness of the Healthy City movement Members of the Steering Committee are officers from the lohor Bahru City Council and the Health Department of the State of lohor. lbis conunittee would act as the nucleus and prime mover of the Healthy City Project. Connections

Load more