Asia « World Landscape Architecture – landscape architecture webzine

Wetlands remains a white elephant despite massive upgrade

MORE needs to be done to keep the Paya Indah Wetlands Sanctuary in Dengkil appealing and meet its objective of being a tourist attraction. The relaunches are not having the desired effect of drawing the crowd.

The park has opened and closed on three occasions since the Federal Government first launched it in October 2001. The RM160mil mega project meant for nature conservation has failed to attract visitors and is a forlorn sight.

SOURCE: [TheStarOnline] (Malaysia) – Wetlands remains a white elephant despite massive upgrade

India looking to the past and future urban planning to solve monsoon problems

Over the last few days there have been a few articles and news reports about the state of urban planning in India. The catalyst for this buzz is the monsoon rains that hit India over the last week. We have collated the articles in to one summary post for our readers. – Damian Holmes

NDMA blames 50 years of bad planning for Delhi deluge

As the national capital continues to cope with the after-effects of heavy showers with some places still waterlogged, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says five decades of bad planning was responsible for Delhi coming to a virtual standstill on that rained out Monday three days ago.

SOURCE: sifynews.com – NDMA blames 50 years of bad planning for Delhi deluge

Listen to two planning experts give their view on the issue at livemint.com

Just to Clarify welcomes two guests. Professor Usha Raghupathi, from the National Institute of Urban Affairs, has a domain of expertise that includes urban development management, infrastructure and services, and urban reforms. A Srivatsan is a Chennai-based urban planning expert.

SOURCE: Livemint & WSJ – Why do the rains wreck Indian cities?

$1b boost to Marina Bay – Strait Times

Marina Bay, Singapore – Image Source: Flickr – monstermunch99

Strait Times reports

TO SUPPORT the future growth of Marina Bay, the government will invest another $1 billion in infrastructure works over the next 10 to 15 years, on top of the $7.5 billion already pumped into the area, (Singapore) National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced on Wednesday.

SOURCE: Strait Times – $1b boost to Marina Bay

Park to commemorate Paralympics launched – Malaysia

TheStar.com.my reports

A 4.9ha park to commemorate the Paralympic Games has been set up in Bukit Jalil with the planting of 2,000 trees. Each tree will represent a medal up for grabs at the 5th Asean Paralympics to be hosted by Malaysia from Aug 15 to 19……..

read the full article at the SOURCE: The Star.com.my – Park to commemorate Paralympics launched

14 firms shortlisted for city makeover – Times of India

Ashley D’Mello of Times of India reprots

MUMBAI: The dream to re-mould the city and its surroundings into a cleaner, greener and a hi-tech metropolis is firming up with the state shortlisting 14 international firms out of 39 that had expressed interest in the project.

Among the consultants shortlisted are Jurong Consultants, Singapore, Lea International, Canada, Urbis, Dubai, Calthrope Associates USA, Groupe SCE,France, Gensler,USA, ILFS and Perkins Eastman, US, Arup Consultants with Domnique Perrault (France), Atonk International/Edsa, US, Buro Happold, London, Maxwan Arehelt, Rotterdam, GFB, Germany, and Consulting Engineering Services, India.

SOURCE: Times of India – 14 firms shortlisted for city makeover