SEMPORNA: The Semporna Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) is a finalist in the category of International Award for Planning Excellence Award for the Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2016.
SMSP covers the entire territorial waters of Semporna district and is located at the important apex of the Coral Triangle, which is known to house the most marine biologically-diverse and ecologically-rich regions on earth.
However, competing activities brought on by human as well as nature (climate change) has placed unprecedented pressure on this marine environment where degradation of coral reef is growing, such as increase in water acidity, threats to human livelihood, and increase in tourists.
These factors impact the sensitive marine ecosystem. This project will assist the Semporna District Council to develop its strategic vision for growth and develop an Integrated Marine Spatial Plan, incorporating development goals, conservation targets and programmes to assimilate marginalised communities.
Organisations involved include the Sabah State Town and Regional Planning Department and WWF-Malaysia.
“The SMSP work began in June 2014 and scheduled for completion in July 2017.
This plan will be implemented by the District Council working together with the core stakeholders for the area,” said Dr Robecca Jumin, Head of Marine, WWF-Malaysia in a statement yesterday.
“We are immensely honoured to have been shortlisted for this award and look forward to continue working closely together with partners to bring this project to greater success.
The shortlisting is recognition that the SMSP has the right foundation in marine spatial planning, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals that promote marine ecosystem sustainability and people’s livelihood and welfare”.
“The SMSP development process is currently ongoing with its upcoming event on stakeholders and public consultation process that will be held in Semporna. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this event from April 18 to 20, leading towards the Regatta Lepa festival from April 22 to 24, 2016,” said Dr Jumin.
The RTPI represents 23,000 planning professionals worldwide and promotes spatial planning, shapes policy and raises professional standards.
The Awards for Planning Excellence have been run by the RTPI for over 30 years to recognise planning excellence.
Finalists have been recognised for their national contribution to planning and demonstrate how significant schemes can be delivered speedily through planning and other consent systems.
Phil Williams, president of the Royal Town Planning Institute said the finalists represent outstanding examples of planning that have made a positive impact on the local community and environment.
“The judges will find it challenging to choose the winners, given the high calibre of entries this year,” he said.
Andrew Jones, Practice Leader Design Planning + Economics, AECOM said AECOM is proud to be a headline sponsor for this year’s RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. He said the finalists are a diverse mixture of outstanding examples of planning, which really demonstrate the impact the profession has on quality and delivery in the built environment. David Jackson, Head of Planning, Savills said Savills is delighted to be a headline sponsor of the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence. “The finalists this year reflect the positive impact planning has on our communities across the UK, Ireland and internationally through projects, plans and people,” he said. The awards ceremony will be held at Milton Court at The Barbican, London on 5 May 2016.
The headline sponsors are AECOM and Savills.
Tickets to the ceremony go on sale on 8 February.
For more information visit the RTPI website.