‘Walkable Ipoh’ Zone Bound to be Ipoh’s Tourist Attraction
The Ipoh City Council (MBI) will be developing a zone based on the concept of ‘Walkable Ipoh’ by preparing facilities for safe walking and cycling.
This zone will involve Ipoh Old Town, Ipoh New Town and Greentown.
Ipoh Mayor, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin, said that the ‘Walkable Ipoh’ programme is expected to be realised in 2030.
According to him, the areas were chosen based on factors such as the variety of tourist attractions, commercial facilities, public facilities, and existing institutions. These areas are also often congested during peak hours and public holidays.
“The preparation of safe and comfortable pedestrian facilities and bicycle lanes will be able to reduce congestion in those areas. It only takes approximately 15 minutes to go from one point of interest to another.
“This concept of ‘Walkable Ipoh’ will also include the preparation of inclusive facilities comprising pedestrian and bicycle lanes, lanes for wheelchair users and micro mobility users, as well as sustainable bus services. These are in line with the theme of a Healthy and Pedestrian-friendly City,” he said.
The facilities are expected to help combat the effects of urban heat islands besides improving the quality of the environment by reducing carbon emissions. Ipoh would thus also be able to achieve the status of a low carbon city.
The ‘Walkable Ipoh’ plan was launched along with the MBI Strategic Plan 2030 and the Ipoh as a Low Carbon City Action Plan 2030 that was finalised by Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
In the same ceremony, MBI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MajuPerak Holdings Berhad for the installation of photovoltaic panels (PV) at the Amanjaya Poultry Market.
This effort is in line with MajuPerak Holdings Berhad’s own objective to make Perak the forerunner in the national goal to use 20 percent renewable energy by 2025.
Besides that, the mutual agreement is to help improve the sustainability of government buildings through green technology by equipping them with the best solar panel systems in the market.
MBI also hopes to see a decrease in maintenance and management costs through the reduction of electricity bills with the more efficient use of energy.
Rosli Mansor
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