Active mobility: examining the Dutch Model for application in Malaysia

Overview

The aim of this event is to facilitate knowledge sharing among members of the Institution of Civil Engineers Malaysia (ICEM), with a particular focus on the growing trend of active travel.

Active travel, which includes walking, cycling, and other non-motorised modes of transportation, is becoming increasingly relevant as cities around the world seek to reduce congestion, improve public health, and promote sustainability.

The presentation will delve into the Dutch experience, specifically examining how grassroots movements and strategic leadership worked in tandem to shape the country’s renowned mobility policies. Grassroots advocacy played a crucial role in pushing for safer streets, while visionary leadership at both the local and national levels ensured these demands were translated into long-term infrastructure investments and innovative policies. This combination of bottom-up and top-down efforts resulted in a system that prioritises active travel and is now a model for sustainable urban mobility.

Following this, a critical analysis will be conducted to assess whether Malaysia’s unique social, economic, and infrastructural conditions are conducive to adopting similar approaches. Malaysia’s urban landscapes, car dependency, and cultural factors will be examined to determine if a shift towards active mobility is feasible and, more importantly, whether it is a goal worth pursuing in the context of Malaysia’s broader development objectives.

This analysis will help identify both opportunities and potential challenges in implementing active mobility solutions within the Malaysian context.

Programme