Reviving Secondary Cities as Catalyst for National Growth
Public transport experts have lauded a call for the revival of secondary cities as a catalyst for national growth. They suggest placing residential, commercial, and recreational areas around transit hubs, and providing incentives to draw business investments in towns or secondary cities.
Transit-Oriented Development
Transport consultant Rosli Azad Khan emphasizes the importance of planning for transit-oriented development, with residential, commercial, and recreational areas around high-quality public transit hubs. This can encourage compact, walkable neighbourhoods while reducing reliance on cars. Government incentives should be provided for affordable housing projects near transit hubs, ensuring access to affordable travel for lower- and middle-income residents and reducing socioeconomic disparity.
Urban Revitalization
Logistics specialist Gary Foong believes that government policies and incentives are required to make urban revitalization more attractive and feasible. He suggests promoting secondary service industries or direct domestic investment opportunities in towns or secondary cities. The government must create an attractive supportive ecosystem offering financial incentives, better ease of doing business, improved infrastructure development, and specific key cluster initiatives.
Examples of Successful Revitalization
Foong cites the examples of Bentong and Kampar, which were promoted as niche destinations offering economic opportunities and quality of life. These cities have successfully positioned themselves as agrotourism and education hubs, respectively. To uplift secondary cities and make them viable centers for growth, it is crucial to develop unique reasons that drive demand for investors and tourists.
Government Support
Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong, recently called for the potential of secondary cities to be unleashed. He cited Kluang in Johor as an example, which will benefit from the Gemas-Johor Bahru double-track rail project scheduled for completion this year. The government also intends to create a Johor Bahru-Kluang Komuter service, giving inner-city Kluang a new lease of life.
Mindset Shift
Liew advocates a change in the mindset separating workplaces from places of living. He suggests providing decent housing for young Malaysian engineers, which can help bridge the pay gap between Malaysia and Singapore. This mindset shift would involve creating a more sustainable, integrated, and accessible public transit network, connecting workplaces and residences while avoiding urban sprawl.
Collaboration and Financing
Rosli Azad Khan emphasizes the importance of collaboration between state and federal governments in public transport planning. He suggests that a clear division of responsibilities between federal and state governments is necessary, as different states may have differing needs and resources. Federal matching grants can incentivize state-level investment.
Conclusion
Reviving secondary cities can be a catalyst for national growth, providing economic opportunities and quality of life. By positioning cities as niche destinations, governments can attract investors and tourists, and create sustainable, integrated, and accessible public transit networks. By promoting transit-oriented development, providing incentives for affordable housing, and fostering a mindset shift, we can unlock the potential of secondary cities and drive growth.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of reviving secondary cities?
A: To create economic opportunities and quality of life, and to drive national growth.
Q: What are the benefits of transit-oriented development?
A: It can encourage compact, walkable neighbourhoods while reducing reliance on cars.
Q: What are some examples of successful revitalization?
A: Bentong and Kampar, which were promoted as agrotourism and education hubs, respectively.
Q: How can governments support secondary cities?
A: By providing incentives for affordable housing, promoting secondary service industries, and creating a supportive ecosystem.