The performance evaluation criteria framework of green infrastucture for Malaysian local authorities

Abstract

Green Infrastructure (GI) is an important issue that is related to urban development. It is connected with elements such as environment, social, economic and health. Therefore, an appropriate and effective GI implementation would help create an urban development that is sustainable. Consequently, the purpose of National Landscape Policy (NLP) can be achieved. With regards to creating an effective GI development, previous researchers proposed a number of solutions related to problems faced by urban residents. However, the key players and stakeholders found that there was a lack of guidelines for the master plan to implement any performance evaluation of GI which is an issue in Malaysia. Therefore, an appropriate criteria should be developed as a measuring instrument for the performance evaluation on any GI implementation. This study has two objectives which are to identify the criteria of performance evaluation of GI to be adopted by Malaysian local authorities; and to develop the framework performance evaluation criteria of GI for Malaysian local authorities. Two research methods have been used to achieve the objectives respectively. Firstly, the qualitative approach was employed to identify key performance evaluation criteria of GI. The Delphi method was applied to analyse the semi structured interviews for a panel of 48 experts. Secondly, a quantitative approach was used to achieve the second objective which is to develop the framework performance evaluation criteria of GI for the local authorities. This approach is accomplished using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). In this method, respondents were involved in an in depth and thorough discussion of the GI performance evaluation criteria, looking specifically at its suitability for assisting this study. Based on the results of the Delphi method, a comprehensive performance evaluation criteria for local authorities GI Malaysia has been developed. This finding consist of four main criterias which are environmental, social, economic and health. The second finding is the result of AHP method, which shows that the perception of experts has produced the importance weightage to establish criteria for measuring the GI performance evaluation index required by the local authorities in Malaysia, which are environmental (37.68%), social (24.65%), economic (23.18%), and health (14.49%). From the expert evaluation, the important sub-criteria of environmental involve environmental planning, storm-water management, pollution control, air and water purification, habitat provision, climate and radiation regulation. The sub-criteria of social involve education, community activities, aesthetic and culture as well as socioeconomic. Meanwhile sub-criteria of economic involve food production, reduce cost of development and maintenance, energy saving and efficiency, tourism, land and property value. Lastly, sub-criteria of health involve phycological treatment, respiratory fitness and aerobic activities, disease and pest regulation. Furthermore, the Content Validity shows that 80% of the expert panel agreed with all the criteria derived from the findings through AHP method. The results can be used as guidelines and standards for the development of Malaysia’s GI to be adopted by local authorities.