Adopting an integrated catchment-based management approach for Putrajaya Lake and Wetlands

Abstract

The Federal Government of Malaysia's new administrative centre, Putrajaya, is being developed with a garden concept comprising an artificial lake and wetlands to balance the rapidly changing ecosystem and alleviate the impact of urbanisation on the former rubber and palm oil plantations. This newly transformed urban ecosystem will accommodate and enhance the city's estimated future population of 300,000 people. The urbanisation involving the development of residential, government office and commercial complexes, will inevitably have an impact on the surrounding environment. The development of Putrajaya Lake and wetlands over an area of 600 hectares will create a balanced biogenic environment and subsequently advocate the importance of urban eco-hydrological management systems within catchments. This paper reviews the adoption of a new integrated catchments management approach through the example of Putrajaya in order to realise the desired level of ecosystem service and the water quality resulting from the environment.