How creating a paradise
for cars is flooding KL
The capital city’s car-centric planning has exacerbated flooding by reducing water absorption and disrupting natural drainage patterns.
From Boo Jia Cher
As a result of climate change, Kuala Lumpur is experiencing record-breaking rainfall, exceeding typical seasonal averages.
This excessive rainfall overwhelms drainage systems, leading to flash floods in low-lying areas.
Major roads like Jalan Pudu, Jalan Kuching and Jalan Genting Klang have frequently been submerged, disrupting traffic and daily activities.
Car-centric planning is a major factor contributing to this problem, as it prioritises vehicular infrastructure over sustainable urban design.
How does car-centric planning worsen floods in the capital?
Kuala Lumpur’s car-centric planning, which prioritises the expansion of roads, parking spaces and highways, often comes at the expense of water bodies, green spaces and natural water absorption systems.
This has inevitably worsened floods in the city through:
1. Increased impermeable surfaces
As more areas are paved for roads and carparks, less water is absorbed into the soil, resulting in increased surface runoff during heavy rainfall. This runoff can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to flooding.
2. Altered drainage patterns
Car-centric infrastructure often disrupts natural drainage patterns. The construction of roads can divert water flow, concentrating runoff in areas ill-equipped to handle it.
This mismanagement of water can exacerbate flooding in low-lying neighbourhoods and along major roads.
3. Apathy to surroundings
Car-centric development creates a sense of apathy towards surroundings, as people spend less time walking and engaging with their neighbourhoods.
This detachment can lead to increased littering, as individuals feel less responsible towards their community.
Much of this waste ends up clogging drains, which exacerbates flooding during heavy rains.
4. Urban heat island effect
The extensive use of concrete and asphalt contributes to the urban heat island effect, where urban areas become significantly warmer than their rural surroundings.
Higher temperatures can lead to increased evaporation and more intense rainfall, compounding the flooding issue.
How can we fix this problem?
Addressing the challenges posed by car-centric planning requires a multifaceted approach that prioritises sustainability, green infrastructure and community engagement.
1. Green infrastructure
Switching to green roofs, permeable pavements and rain gardens can significantly enhance water absorption and reduce surface runoff.
By incorporating vegetation into buildings and public infrastructure, KL can improve its capacity to manage rainwater naturally.
2. Enhanced public transport
Investing in a robust public transportation system can reduce reliance on cars.
It means fewer cars on the road, decreasing the demand for extensive and impermeable surfaces (roads and carparks), paving the way for more green spaces.
Imagine how a six-lane road could be redesigned, with two lanes converted into a permeable green space with local plants and trees, or a carpark transformed into a community garden.
3. Integrated urban planning
We urgently need a shift towards integrated urban planning that prioritises green spaces, wetlands and waterways.
These natural features must be protected and expanded throughout the city, ensuring that all residents, regardless of income, have access to their benefits.
4. Flood-proofing developments
New building codes for developments should mandate flood-proofing measures, including elevated ground levels and the incorporation of green spaces and permeable surfaces.
These strategies will enhance water absorption and reduce runoff, making the city more resilient to flooding.
Interestingly, traditional Malay architecture, with its raised structures and thoughtful integration with the surrounding landscape, often proves to be more resilient to floods compared to modern architecture.
This highlights the potential benefits of revisiting and incorporating traditional design principles into contemporary design.
5. Investment in drainage systems
Upgrading and maintaining existing drainage infrastructure to handle increased rainfall and runoff is critical.
This may involve expanding drainage capacity, regular maintenance and the implementation of smart technologies for real-time monitoring and management.
It’s encouraging to see that this is being gradually executed across the Klang Valley.
Conclusion
For too long now, our city has prioritised economic growth and wealth accumulation over the essential elements that define a vibrant city.
This misguided approach has led to the neglect of vital infrastructure like flood retention ponds and parks, which are often at risk of being sold to private developers due to a lack of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s accountability to the rakyat.
This neo-liberal growth strategy has resulted in the privatisation of mobility through an over-reliance on private cars.
Consequently, our city’s flooding problems have been exacerbated through excessive impermeable surfaces, making it increasingly vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
The new mayor and Madani government must lead Kuala Lumpur towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
Boo Jia Cher is an FMT reader.
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kt comments: Thanks to a car-crazy old coot
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