Ambitious goal: Aminuddin (second from right), accompanied by Masri (right) showing the smart city and low carbon emission plan during the launch at Pekan Nilai in Seremban. — Bernama
SEREMBAN: The Seremban City Council (MBS) will acquire electric vehicles (EV) and install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at more of its properties in its aspiration to turn the state capital into a smart and low carbon emission city by 2027.
Mayor Datuk Masri Razali said, for a start, the council would acquire four electric scooters this year, which will be used by its personnel for enforcement and patrols. He said that the council had been working hard to reach these goals ever since Seremban became a city in 2020.
“We will acquire more electric vehicles next year to replace some of those in our fleet. “We have also installed PV panels at the MBS building and the main market, and will look at more suitable areas for this.
“We have also received recognition from the Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) for the Low Carbon Cities 2023 challenge and received the Triple-Diamond Award after we managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 16.9% since 2020,” he said at the launch of the smart city and low carbon emission plan by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Masri said the council had outlined five main objectives towards achieving the plan, which are strengthening its digital infrastructure, facilitating mobility, increasing urban resilience, creating a sustainable environment and empowering communities.
He said some RM8mil had been set aside this year towards achieving this, which includes installing more LED streetlights, tree-planting, organising go-green events, and upgrading its portal to better engage with stakeholders.
“In fact, we have also launched a six-month trial to allow people to use escooters in Seremban 2 as we work towards a low-carbon city,” he said, adding that plans are also in the pipeline to set up more centres to allow owners of electric vehicles to recharge their cars.
He said facilities at the Terminal 1 bus station would also be upgraded for commuter convenience.
“We are not going to allow buses to keep their engines running. This is another initiative towards reducing carbon emissions,” he said.
Masri added that the smart city plan would have several benefits, including better engagement with the community, making the streets safer, improving traffic flow, reducing the entry of vehicles into the city, and having all related information online.
“We want a system where anyone who wants to invest here can look for all the information online, such as areas where they can invest and the demographics, to make an informed decision.
“We also want to be able to monitor things online, such as projects being carried out in the city, via the installation of more CCTVs to ensure everyone complies with regulations,” he said.
Separately, Masri said the council had also come up with a plan to redevelop Nilai old town as more than half the area was not in the commercial category.
SOURCE: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/21/moving-towards-a-smart-city
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