KOTA KINABALU – The Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) has unveiled a comprehensive twelve-year development plan aimed at transforming the capital of Sabah into a “world-class smart nature resort city.”
The minister in charge of DBKK, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, said KK Development 2035 is basically an integration of various existing plans formulated by government agencies in developing Kota Kinabalu.
“These agencies each had their own masterplans, and to foster a more collaborative approach, DBKK engaged with them through multiple consultations to amalgamate these individual plans into the development framework.
“To date, we so far have three major engagements with the agencies,” he said after the launching of the KK Development Plan 2035 and the DBKK Strategic Planning 2023-2026 guidebook, emphasising the importance of coordinated planning.
Madingkir, who is a Sabah state assistant minister to the chief minister, was representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the launch of the two guidebooks.
The KK Development Plan 2035 revolves around six key agendas, which encompass infrastructure enhancements, environmental sustainability, socio-economic growth, smart city infrastructures, digital transformation, inclusivity of arts and culture, and good governance.
There is also a strong focus on green technologies, renewable energy, reducing the carbon footprint, enhancing waste management, land-use development, waterfront and public space improvements, said Madingkir.
Simultaneously, the DBKK 2023-2026 Strategic Plan focuses on six core areas: sustainable city, welfare society, legislation and regulation, socio-economic development, high-performance governance, and networking cooperation.
Accommodate changes in future
In his speech, Hajiji highlighted the need for continuous monitoring and adaptability to ensure the city's development plan remains current and relevant in the face of evolving circumstances.
He also stressed the importance of public agencies adhering to established guidelines and plans to achieve desired outcomes, while allowing for necessary improvements to accommodate evolving updates.
"Facing all the unexpected challenges and new changes, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, Kota Kinabalu cannot afford to fall behind. Instead, it needs to be more aggressive in implementing various initiatives to address and adapt to all these challenges and changes.
"As a frontline implementing agency, DBKK needs to prepare strategic measures to face current challenges and shoulder the responsibilities given," he said.
Also present was Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Noorliza Awang Alip.
Sabah initially aimed to transform Kota Kinabalu into a nature resort city in 2020, but has updated the plan into a smart nature resort city. – The Vibes, November 2, 2023
