MSMA Implementation Factors in Integrated Stormwater Management

Abstract

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (DID) released the Urban Stormwater Management Manual for Malaysia (MSMA) in 2000 as a guideline to address longterm national goals and priorities in ensuring that sustainable urban drainage systems are properly used. MSMA’s emphasis on control at source approaches may be divided into three categories: water quantity control, erosion and sediment control, and water quality control. As highlighted in the manual, a successful implementation of its principles and techniques though calls for involvement of various professionals including engineers, urban planners, environmental scientists, landscape architects and other professionals. Apart from civil engineers, not much known about the other professional’s involvement in the execution of MSMA. The development of comprehensive and adaptable techniques requires increased collaboration among a varied group of individuals engaged. However, progress toward more inclusive planning has been gradual, with technological and institutional lock-ins. Taking this into consideration, this paper discusses the findings of a survey carried out to assess the levels of understanding and involvement of urban planning professionals in the implementation of MSMA. The study was conducted using a questionnaire form approach in obtaining feedback from the respondents involved. Questionnaires designed to assess the levels of understanding and involvement of the urban planning professionals in MSMA were distributed to randomly selected urban planning professionals from government agencies and private firms. The responses were then tabulated and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings of the study are based on the highest mean values for each category in order of priority: policy management and action (3.800), education and marketing (3.732), cost and maintenance (3.646), and technological design (3.817). Based on this order of priorities can indicate the main factors that are obstacles to the effectiveness of the implementation of MSMA.