Inclusive and accessible public spaces for all should be able to address social issues, including “basikal lajak” activities, among the younger people, according to experts.

Proper and well-maintained space for the youths is important to deter social illnesses, they added.

Universiti Malaya’s Dr Nikmatul Adha Nordin said it would take more than just planning to create an ideal and inclusive city for all, especially for the younger generation.

To realise the vision of an ideal city, she said all stakeholders including the government, public and private entities must work together.

“Urban planners can recommend many innovative ideas but to build an ideal and inclusive city, all stakeholders must play their role.

“One of the main issues is the financial capacity of the government in providing innovative recreational areas for the youths,” she said while proposing government-private partnerships to address the issue.

Commenting on the “basikal lajak” issue, Nikmatul said teenagers needed outlets to channel their energies which these public recreational facilities could not provide.

She added that the typical facilities for the youngsters were either outdated or not well-maintained.

“Perhaps the equipment provided is not suitable for their age. Thus, in planning for an inclusive city, ‘needs assessments’ have to be done to understand and identify the attributes of an ideal play area for today’s youths.

“A typical playground that provides swings and see-saws may not be appealing and this may cause them to seek more ‘challenging activities’ elsewhere,” said the urban and regional planning department head of the faculty of built environment.

A needs assessment is a tool to prioritise community needs and allocate resources in development planning.

Child activist Datuk Hartini Zainuddin said urban planners and the authorities should “use their imagination” in creating space for the community, taking into account the needs of the younger population.

Asked about the “basikal lajak’’ issue, Hartini commented that the unfortunate incident took place possibly because of limited space for the children to socialise.

The problem is especially prominent among children from the families within the lower income bracket or B40, where they live in congested neighbourhoods with limited open spaces, she said.

“To avoid similar problems, especially post-pandemic, as children would venture outdoors after being cooped up for almost two years, adequate space should be provided for them,” Hartini told The Star.

Youth activist Rizan Hassan echoed the same sentiment by saying that dedicated facilities should be given to the youths to nurture their skills and potential.

He added that although there were some facilities for public use, they were not well-maintained.

“The lack of facilities is a serious issue. The youths need designated areas or platforms for them to express their skills or potential.

“At the same time, they also need social support from the community to guide them,” he said.

The 2011 Youth Icon Award recipient added that if the youths lack support, they would end up having social issues, citing “basikal lajak” as an example.

“These children are talented. They know how to modify the bikes. It means they have innovative skills,” said Rizan.

A research paper by Dr Badaruddin Mohamed from Universiti Sains Malaysia found that crowded houses and apartments which lacked basic social infrastructure in the urban areas had contributed to the rise in social problems among the young.

Children, bored with stressful living conditions, resorted to spending their time loitering in shopping complexes, Internet cafes and karaoke bars with their friends, cited the research.

Conducted almost two decades ago by the school of housing, building and planning, it also recommended that the urban authorities be sensitive to the needs of urban children and involve them in town planning.

Town planner Rene Fu Swee Yun told The Star that good city planning which incorporates multi-generational needs is important to mitigate social problems.

She added that a safe space and facility should be provided for the community, especially for the teenagers who are prone to thrill-fuelled activities such as “basikal lajak”.

“Some teenagers want to do something exciting to channel their energy, so providing a safe facility for them to do so is important.

“We need to identify the activities that are suitable for them to nurture their talents,” Fu added.

She pointed out that public space should be accessible for society that consists of different income brackets or abilities.

“People with disabilities should also be given access to public facilities and space. The development of public space should not focus only on the urban areas,” she said.

Another town planner said despite the existence of open space dedicated to recreational use, some local authorities had converted them for different purposes.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by JUNAID IBRAHIM

If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]