URBAN GOVERNANCE APPROACHES FOR LOW CARBON CITIES. THE CASE OF SHAH ALAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Climate change is an alarming phenomenon, and no conquering mechanisms or global winning standards are available to reduce carbon footprints. Nevertheless, local governments still strive to formulate successful tactics to sustain their cities, including Low Carbon City (LCC) initiatives. However, it is widely accepted that institutional frameworks and urban governance may influence the effectiveness of LCC implementation. In this paper, we impart how the notion of urban governance affects LCC implementation. The study aims to examine the perennial topic of the urban governance approaches to LCC that have been adopted by local governments, using the Shah Alam local government as a case study. Benchmarking exercises were conducted through a detailed literature review of the existing LCC initiatives, together with a focus group discussion (FGD). The FGD session was framed through purposive sampling, with participants selected from the local government of Shah Alam, the city’s community, and the stakeholders involved in the LCC programs. The results demonstrated that urban governance is vital in implementing LCC through many approaches, like the institutional framework, practices, and delivery. Overall, the study findings suggest a crucial component in the Shah Alam local government's management of LCC implementation.