THE National Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), revealed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak several months back, is perhaps one of the more exciting developments announced this year.

On the Klang Valley front, nine entry point projects have been identified for implementation to achieve the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley National Key Economic Area so as to increase its gross national income by 2020.

The projects are: building an integrated urban mass rapid transit system, revitalising the Klang River into a heritage and commercial centre, greening Greater KL/Klang Valley to ensure every resident enjoys sufficient green space, creating iconic places and attractions, creating a comprehensive pedestrian network attracting 100 of the world’s most dynamic firms within priority sectors, attracting the right mix of internal and external talent, connecting to Singapore via high speed rail system and developing an efficient solid waste management eco-system.

In the pipeline for Greater KL: A MRT train in service in Manila.

What Greater KL/Klang Valley covers essentially is 10 areas namely Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Klang, Kajang, Subang Jaya, Selayang, Ampang Jaya and Sepang, where with a combined population of six million, is expected to contribute RM263bil or 30% to the nation’s gross national income.

The first project that will take off is the construction of the RM36bil mass rapid transit system (MRT), where the first line will start from Sungai Buloh to Kajang through the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

This project will start in July covering a distance of 60km with 35 stations.

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) said the line will serve densely-populated areas like Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Bandar Utama, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bukit Damansara, Cheras, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and Balakong.

As Kuala Lumpur braces for an increasing population growth and more developments, it is struggling to push for more green spaces to improve its liveability in the wake of how it is falling short behind other cities worldwide.

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standard for green space is 16 sq m per person while Kuala Lumpur has only 12 sq m of green space per person at present.

For a start, three main initiatives have been outlined — adopting a green-focused development policy for both government and private redevelopments where the open space requirement of 30% of total area will be given priority, employing creative landscaping methods to increase greenery from dense foliage tree-planting and rooftop greening to vertical landscaping and lastly, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) hoping to plant up to 100,000 trees and capitalising on unused rooftops for green space.

River rehabilitation is listed as another priority to look into, especially the Klang and Gombak rivers which are notably the dirtiest in Klang Valley.

So much has been said in the past about plans for cleaning up rivers but no concrete action has been taken and the public are hopeful that exercises outlined under the entry point project would be strictly implemented.

From upgrading the existing sewerage system, reducing pollutants from entering rivers, upgrading drainage systems to prevent flooding and water guidelines for residents, river care expert Dr K. Kalithasan from the Global Environment Centre advised that any clean-up must start from the catchment area and beautification of rivers should not only be about tree planting.

One of the most controversial projects announced during the Budget 2011 must be the Warisan Merdeka 100-storey tower, which was debated on strongly by opposing factions.

Some opposition MPs against the tower asked whether in-depth study, including a traffic impact assessment report, had been carried out to weigh the pros and cons of building the tower. They said the money could be channelled to better use and asked whether the tower is a national priority.

Social networking website Facebook had also registered about 160,000 Facebook members objecting to the tower.

Najib defended the Warisan Merdeka project, saying that PNB which will be building it, must ensure that the project is commercially viable.

“First of all, the project should be commercially viable and secondly, must contribute to the larger economic development within that particular area, that is, creating business opportunities and the development of a new commercial centre that will provide the impetus and catalyst for the development of Greater Kuala Lumpur.

“What’s important to bear in mind is that this is a long-term project, a 10-year one at least.

“The area around Dataran Merdeka is also strategic and if you look at the skyline of Kuala Lumpur come 2020, it cannot be the same skyline as today,” he said.

The Warisan Merdeka project is scheduled to be built next to Stadium Negara and Stadium Merdeka.

If this project goes on as proposed, this tower is almost certain to alter the future skyline of Kuala Lumpur dramatically.