THE BENEFITS OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING IN ADDRESSING LOST SPACES UNDERNEATH ELEVATED URBAN HIGHWAYS

Abstract

Traditional planning practices, wherein attention is directed at the provision of single functions or zoning, have led to the emergence of lost spaces in cities like Kuala Lumpur. Elevated highways are a prominent contributor to the formation of these lost spaces and are seen as a hurdle in achieving a sustainable compact city. Studies suggest that green infrastructure (GI) planning, which aims to promote multifunctionality in spatial planning, is a suitable approach to address this dilemma. To identify the benefits of the GI approach in mitigating lost spaces underneath elevated highways in Kuala Lumpur City, this study utilized two methods: site observation and expert interviews. The results suggest that GI planning can achieve benefits ranging from economic aspects, such as increasing property value, to social aspects, such as promoting a healthier urban lifestyle. However, such benefits may vary as these spaces have different typologies in terms of accessibility, size, location, and surrounding context. Nonetheless, the GI approach can be seen as the key to achieving a sustainable compact city, since it supports the ability of urban spaces to provide multiple benefits concurrently. Thus, the identification of its benefits could lead to the more sustainable planning, design, and management of lost spaces.