Brief Biography
Dr. Malik Asghar Naeem is an experienced urban planner. He holds a PhD degree in urban planning and environmental management from the University of Hong Kong. He is a professor and the head of Urban and Regional Planning Department at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad.
His work experience spans over 14 years. In addition to his work with the Government of Punjab, Pakistan, he has worked at Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand on projects related to sustainable cities and integration of sustainability in higher education, which were funded by UNU-IAS and SIDA. His focus areas include sustainable urban planning and environmental management, as well as the role of private sector in achieving the goal of sustainable development otherwise known as corporate social responsibility.
MSCP Research
Policies and Issues Concerning Urban Sprawl and Compact City Paradigm Adoption in Kuala Lumpur
Greater Kuala Lumpur, the urban agglomeration that includes metropolitan Kuala Lumpur and the ten surrounding municipalities, is the most industrialized and fastest growing region in Malaysia. It accounts for 6 million people, or 20 percent of the total national population, and for 30 percent of the gross national income (GNI).
Due to the rapid pace of urbanization and a number of other factors, the region faces a critical issue of urban sprawl. Urban sprawl contributes to high energy consumption for commuting, longer commutes, and increased pollution due to vehicular emissions. It also puts immense pressure on agricultural land and other natural resources.
This research focuses on identifying the factors responsible for urban sprawl and reviews the policies and development plans related to compact development and sustainable urban growth. It will also identify potential barriers to implementing approaches and strategies that limit urban sprawl. The research constitutes a review of maps, census reports, urban policy, development plans, and in-depth interviews with policymakers, professionals, academics and civil society organizations.