FLEXIBILITY IN LAND USE DECISION MAKING FOR URBAN FARMING ACTIVITIES APPROVAL

 FLEXIBILITY IN LAND USE DECISION MAKING FOR URBAN FARMING ACTIVITIES APPROVAL TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY

 TPr Dr. Noraini Binti Omar Chong (Project Leader)

Ts. Dr. Rabieahtul Binti Abu Bakar

TPr Dr. Siti Kartina Binti Juhari

Sr Dr. Roslina Binti Idris

Sr. Ts Dr. Siti Hafsah Binti Zulkarnain

(UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA)

ABSTRACT

This research is aimed to determine the numerous process and procedure to address the need of food security in Malaysia focusing on sustainable food system initiatives such as increase domestic resources, involvement of the private sector, government and public population availability of safe food at reasonable prices and healthy eating styles and ensure the country’s preparedness in the face of a food security crisis. There are three main (3) objectives which for this research are 1) To identify the current practice of local authority in granting approval for urban farming since urban farming is not classified as a land use or use class order in local plan; 2) To determine the provision in government acts relating to community urban farming activity as an enabling power for local authority in granting approval; and 3) To establish a Land Use Decision Making Framework for Urban Farming towards Food Security. The approaches of this study by reviewed the journals, government policies multilevel and acts related to the process and procedure involved in decision making of land use for urban farming. Other than that, the involvement of agencies and local authority throughout Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and depth interview with expert in government agencies and NGOs for data collection. This research is analysed by qualitative research design. Meanwhile, GIS analysis revealed the accuracy of the current urban farming on site area. There are three (3) findings from this research which are 1) The absence of framework for urban farming approval process and procedure; 2) The current practise between local authority unstandardised; and 3) The use class order for potential area/space urban farming activity is not stated in current local plan. Thus, the recommendations of this research to ensure the local authority especially city council utilise the proposed framework of planning permission for urban farming to optimise the use of land in urban areas.  

Keywords: Urban farming, food security, land use, process, procedure, decision making