Sustainable & Resilient Urbanisation and Development? ‘Small and Simple’ is beautiful

by Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Hamdan Ahmad
& Dr Azlin Abd Jamil

Imagine a city where technology and nature coexist in peace driven by a unique vision of sustainability. In an exclusive interview with the UTM Nexus team, Prof. Ts Dr. Mohd Hamdan Ahmad, an expert on the sustainable built environment of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), shared his novel perspective on his past involvement and the future of urban living, stating that true sustainability is dependent on four critical elements: the environment, the economy, society, and an often-overlooked but critical factor—political will!. He contends that without strong political commitment, even the most advanced AI-based sustainable cities will fail! His insights challenged conventional wisdom, providing a new perspective on what it means to design resilient and sustainable urban spaces.

Prof. Hamdan’s research journey with UTM began in 1991, starting with a fascinating research project on the role of Bumiputera in rural tourism development. His team travelled across the islands of Johor and Pahang, exploring potential sites for their case studies. Their search eventually led them to Pulau Tioman, which was recognized as one of the Wonders of the World at the time. Fascinatingly, what started as a research project soon turned into a critical transformative initiative upon realising that Tioman’s waters were threatened by uncontrolled tourism and construction, compromising the quality of the water and environment. Indeed, from a simple research project, it evolved into an effort to assist chalet operators in raising their understanding of sustainable development and improving their quality of living. This was documented in a research report and publication emphasizing the importance of good chalet operation, waste disposal, and the design of septic tanks suitable for rocky terrains, which are essential in areas without sewage systems to protect Tioman as one of the Wonders of the World.

Prof. Hamdan involving with the community centre project

The team initially set out to assess infrastructure and living conditions near Pulau Tioman but soon became involved in a more ambitious project. After meeting an elderly local, they were asked to help develop a tourist lodge, leading to the creation of Nazri’s Place II in Kampung Air Batang. This lodge, managed by Mr. Nazri and his family, faced significant challenges, especially during peak tourist seasons when all rooms were booked, necessitating expansion.

To ensure the lodge’s sustainability, innovative construction and urban planning were essential. The lodge’s rocky terrain added complexity, making it crucial to address issues like septic tanks for managing sewage and odor. Moreover, transporting material and equipment to the island proved daunting, as Mersing, the nearest access point, is only reachable by boat. Rough seas often forced boat captains to jettison heavy equipment to safeguard passengers, adding to the project’s difficulties and costs.

Despite these challenges, the researchers gained valuable insights into local challenges and successfully transferred technology and knowledge to the local community. The project effectively integrated academic research with practical solutions, enhancing both community sustainability and the local economy. This venture stands as a testament to how thoughtful planning, innovative solutions, and perseverance can turn obstacles into a success story, benefiting both the environment and the community.

Although the initiative seemed straightforward, it emphasized the university’s commitment to enhancing community life by attending to basic needs, including waste management. This approach improved daily living and supported environmentally friendly economic growth. Reflecting a great awareness of nurturing both the environment and the economy, it was a clear example of how integrating environmental sustainability with economic planning can balance environmental care with financial growth. It was a simple solution for the researchers but had a significant impact on society and the environment.

Prof. Hamdan’s research journey at UTM revealed his dedication to sustainability and community impact through creative ideas and innovative live projects. Another notable project was building Rumah Tropika, an ecotourism Tropical House initially established for UTM visitors. What began as a simple project evolved into an important meeting point and hub for open-door events, used by UTM’s students, staff, and visitors for activities such as workshops, art exhibits, health programs, community engagement sessions, bird viewing, open lectures, and tree-planting initiatives.

Building on similar successes, Prof. Hamdan achieved other significant milestones with the UTM team in developing public parks in Johor Bahru, including Puteri Lagoon, Linear Park, Hutan Bandar, and Taman Merdeka. These projects addressed the critical issues of preserving the natural environment, flood management and mitigation, and managing domestic pollutants.

Additionally, he developed an open IBS house using the Open Door System (ODOORS) prototype on the UTM campus, underscoring his commitment to prioritizing simple yet workable solutions over the closed IBS system, with occupants well-being in mind and maintaining cost-effectiveness in building affordable houses. These initiatives highlighted his dedication to integrating simple yet practical solutions with sustainability principles.

Furthermore, he was involved in the Bangsa Johor Bahagia (BJB) program, representing UTM researchers in a comprehensive approach to enhancing Johor’s B40 housing and socioeconomic conditions, inspired by Her Majesty Raja Zarithe Sofiah. Complementing these efforts, sustainability innovations by the UTM team encompassed urban farming technology, community composting, and other technology transfer projects. Additionally, reusable timber and cabins were used for the efficient and affordable construction of the learning center and community library. Together, these projects illustrated a seamless blend of academic research with real-world applications, advancing both environmental stewardship and community well-being.

One of the notable milestones achieved was highlighting the importance of appropriate solutions and empathy towards local contexts—understanding the community deeply by immersing oneself in the urban environment, leading to better solutions. This was evident in Prof. Hamdan’s involvement in the Low Carbon Society and Carbon Neutral blueprints for Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, and other cities in Malaysia. This involvement led him to focus on passive design and engineering techniques, and the concept of ‘Genius loci,’ which emphasizes respecting the spirit of a place. This approach showcased a deep understanding of both the local context, community, and environment. By incorporating local insights into projects, he highlighted the need for synergy between social sciences and engineering. Research, social and market analysis, and respect for nature were fundamental to creating impactful solutions. Innovations in electric vehicles and other renewable technologies, for example, should honor environmental stewardship to ensure positive impacts and acceptance by society. A smart city requires a smart society.

Ultimately, his work illustrated that even small, seemingly simple solutions can have profound impacts when they are well-considered and aligned with sustainability goals. These projects reflected a harmonious integration of practical, innovative solutions that respected the natural and social environment. This mirrored the idea that before creating a solution, one must fully explore and understand the context, ensuring easy implementation. Much like how political interference could easily impact sustainable urban planning for projects like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT), or how blueprints could become nice documents but never be implemented.

In conclusion, Prof. Hamdan believed that blue-sky research is important, but he preferred promoting small and simple research that can have immediate impacts on local society and the environment. “Anything small and simple is beautiful!” ended Prof. Hamdan.

Professor (Retired) Ts Dr. Mohd Hamdan Ahmad served as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development) at UTM from April 2020 to April 2023. He was previously Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABULOUS) and the UTM Director of the MIT UTM Malaysia Sustainable Cities Program. He also served as Executive Director of the Institut Sultan Iskandar (ISI UTM).

Dr. Hamdan earned his PhD from the University of Manchester and a BArch from The University of Miami. His expertise includes sustainable cities, architecture design, building climatology, and low carbon smart cities. He has supervised 32 PhD scholars and published extensively.

Key contributions include the Low Carbon Society blueprints for Iskandar Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur, and public parks development in Johor Bahru. He is affiliated with GreenRE, Casbee Iskandar Malaysia, GBI, and has judged the Green Accord Initiative Award (GAIA). He developed the Eco-house and Door House for the Poor within UTM Campus.

Awards include Top Research Scientist Malaysia 2023, Darjah Setia Ahmad Shah Pahang (2013), and recognition as one of the 100 Most Dedicated Professors by the World Education Congress (2018). Dr. Hamdan continues to promote sustainable development through teaching, research, and consultancy.