How Green Townships Address Climate Change

Across the world, we are witnessing a rapidly changing global climate. Many bear the brunt of this climate crisis by unprecedented heatwaves and natural disasters that hit harder than ever. More parties are urgently called to step up and form better solutions to address climate change.

Smart urban planning plays a huge role to strengthen the resilience of cities and their communities in tackling climate change. We look towards Devendran Krishnamoorthy, General Manager of Gamuda Land’s Product Management Unit, to share his insights on how green townships can address climate change and the sustainability initiatives that Gamuda Land is currently implementing for greener living.

According to Devendran, whose current role revolves around overlooking the entire Gamuda Land product ecosystem, sustainability can no longer just be a special feature of development projects. “Here at Gamuda Land, sustainability efforts have formed the core of our business philosophy for decades, aiming to develop smart integrated cities that are sustainable, economical while providing a high quality of life for residents and generations to come.”

“The Triple Bottom line approach adopted by Gamuda Land can be used to illustrate the main factors to consider when building a green township. It emphasises the harmonious integration of three influences – human, environment, and economic,” Devendran explained.

Sustainable urban planning by developers aims to create community-centric environments. Residents do not have to go far to work or shop, with avenues to fulfil their needs for health and entertainment made easy as well. A green township is also environmentally sensitive, preserving biodiversity by integrating nature into living areas, mitigating climate change, and reducing carbon emission rates through sustainable management of resources.

A prime example of a green township is Gamuda Cove – a 1530-acre township in Southern Klang Valley, next to neighbouring Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands and lush forest reserves. The development of Gamuda Cove is guided by the Gamuda Green Plan 2025, a comprehensive framework that charts tangible targets on ESG dimensions.

Gamuda Cove is mindfully planned with future-focused masterplan and placemaking principles. With great emphasis catered for a self-sustaining township, various key components such as pedestrian-friendly streets, bike-friendly pathways, integrated public spaces, landscaping and streetscapes and public spaces, with efficient water and waste management systems are harmoniously integrated to give the township a unique personality.

“Investing in Gamuda Cove is akin to investing in the pursuit of sustainability,” Devendran says. The pursuit of sustainability not just protects the biodiversity around us, but also enables us to enjoy greater adaptability and enhanced productivity, which leads to better social capital and financial outcomes.

One of the ways Gamuda Land ensures sustainable practices is by incorporating innovative building and construction technology. Gamuda has been at the forefront of building and construction innovation by introducing the first digital industrialised building system (IBS) factory in Malaysia and early adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM). All this translates into higher quality, quicker delivery times, lesser site waste generation, and reduced pollution in the construction process.

Being part of a green township like Gamuda Cove puts the investor, stakeholder or homeowner in the global push towards combating climate change. It is also important to note that unsustainable property and management practices can lead to financial performance or asset value losses.

Due to COVID-19, we start to see a higher demand by homebuyers for more green outdoor spaces within close vicinity. A home at Gamuda Cove ensures that homebuyers gain direct access to the Forest Park and Wetlands Arboretum, which will house more than 300 species of flora and fauna. Being so close to nature for recreation, education and research purposes makes Gamuda Cove a highly attractive choice for living. Additionally, the wetlands serve multiple ecological benefits such as flood mitigation, carbon sequestration, and shoreline erosion control.

Right now, Devendran is looking forward to accelerating the implementation of renewable energy initiatives. Not only is it a greener choice as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels and the resulting carbon footprint, but it is also fast becoming the “cheapest source of electricity in history,” according to the International Energy Agency. In the upcoming years, Devendran expects a drastic shift towards sustainability in green developments through efficient water and waste management and sustainable construction practices. Mindful, sustainable initiatives will continue to lead the way in addressing climate change while fostering vibrant ecosystems for holistic living.

“Gamuda has given me the opportunity to really express and explore my interests in urban planning. Taking on this role means that I can contribute effectively towards Gamuda’s vision for sustainable development and people-centric designs”

– Devendran Krishnamoorthy,
Product Management Unit General Manager, Gamuda Land