PART 5: The BSB Masterplan - ALL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...

The Municipal Department - How to reach them?


BSB-Masterplan official website
BSB Masterplan Facebook Account
BSB Masterplan on Twitter


Visit the BSB Masterplan Exhibition at the Planning Information Centre:

 Where is it located?
           Bandar Seri Begawan Planning Information Centre,
           Ground Floor, Bangunan Pusat Komersial & Perdagangan Bumiputra,
          Jalan Cator, Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara Brunei Darussalam,
          BS8810 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei


Together we can transform Bandar Seri Begawan and hence Brunei from this.....

to this....

BSB Brunei Darussalam 2035 and beyond...

PART 4: Public Opinions (and misconceptions) VS The author's personal review

Public response to BSB Masterplan. Read full article by The Brunei Times HERE...

Greetings.

As promised, in this post we will be looking at some of the opinions from the general public. Despite the encouraging response from the public, several opinions seem to be wrongly perceived or misunderstood.

Opinion 1:
"The masterplan only focus on developing the current Bandar Seri Begawan and other important nearby areas such as Gadong, Kiulap, Serusop, etc. Therefore, it neglects other areas in Brunei-Muara district right?"
Wrong.... The masterplan initial aim is to focus on developing Bandar Seri Begawan and other commercially active areas, BUT the plan does not stop there. It is among the long term objectives of the masterplan to develop BSB and synchronize the development with other areas throughout the country. Hence, this corresponds with the catalyst project on Integrated Public Transportation System (IPTS).

Opinion 2:
"The masterplan is formulated in line with Brunei's Vision 2035. That means 24 years from now, that is very little time considering all the projects in the masterplan. How can we achieve so many in so little time.  The plan is not realistic."
Wrong. Yes the BSB masterplan is created in line with the national Brunei Vision 2035 BUT the projects and strategies implemented are for 2035 & BEYOND. Hence viability of the action plan needs to be seen from a long-period standpoint. The Eiffel Tower was not built overnight, it was through persistent hardwork, efficient and effective use of resources, and various carefully thought strategies within a reasonable time period.

Opinion 3:
"There is no backup plan, previously several urban development plans have been formulated under the National Development plan but none have been fully implemented. What happens if the masterplan doesn't work? All the efforts would be a waste. The masterplan does not take into account actual situations and hence is too ambitious."
Wrong.. Relatively, many people think that the BSB Masterplan is a separate plan from other previous "urban development plans" while in actuality IT IS NOT. The  BSB Masterplan was developed as the result from all the previous national urban development plans. In addition this time, the process also involved participation from various stakeholders in the general public before it was finalize. The components of the masterplan is a result from suggestions made by the public.


Moreover, the authority (Municipal Department) have mentioned that the masterplan is not fix/rigid, details of the masterplan are subject to modification in order to fit current needs & specifications where and when necessary. Hence, it does take into account actual, current and future situations.


As for the masterplan being too ambitious, I wouldn't say it is wrong but rather the opinion is subjective. Personally, I think it all depends on how we look at it. I believe that there is no such thing as a perfect or ideal plan but as citizens it is our responsibility to look into the masterplan and identify the role that we can play to eventually "make it work". 
The government have decided to make the masterplan legally binding(full article here), hence our generation and the future generations that follow will experience the "by-product" of the masterplan. Therefore we need to participate proactively and ensure that the masterplan to be succesfully implemented at its optimum level; so as to enjoy the potential benefits and advantages. As Brunei citizens, it is our collective responsibilities to make the best out of the BSB Masterplan i.e. turn visons into real actions...

PART 3: The Masterplan Key Areas, Current Status & Projects

BSB Masterplan 5 key main areas

It is apparent that every plan has its own strategic objectives and the 10 strategic objectives for BSB Masterplan can be see HERE. While objectives are crucial to determine the direction of the plan, as public society, I believe it is equally important for us to be informed and constantly updated about the contents of the masterplan. In this case, the major components that signify the BSB Masterplan are the projects. According to the authorised experts; the main projects development of the BSB Masterplan are focused under these 5 key areas:

Area 1: Kampung Ayer

Area 2: Central Business District

Area 3: Gadong & Kiulap

Area 4: Government Administrative Centre

Area 5: The Airport HUB

While the future growth in BSB will be located in the 5 main areas; the development of the masterplan will eventually be expanded to other areas in the next phase, which also includes Beribi, Bunut, Subok Vally and Serusop.

The Masterplan's current status?

Upon realizing effective implementation of the BSB masterplan, the Ministry of Home Affairs have announced catalysts projects that will set framework for the growth earlier this year. Currently, these are the 4 catalyst projects that are focused at (as at 8th May 2011):

1. Riverfront Eco Corridor
2. Integrated Public Transportation System
3. Kampong Ayer Revitalisation
4. Rejuvenation of the Central Business District

To know more about these catalyst projects, read the article published by Brunei Times entitled "Masterplan Catalyst Projects Bared" by clicking here.

In the next post, we will look at some of the public opinions and misconceptions about the masterplan. I will also share my personal review on the subject matter...

PART 2:The BSB Masterplan, the WHAT-WHO-WHEN-HOW & WHY?...

Greetings,

So, WHAT is the BSB Masterplan all about? WHO is in charge of formulating the plan and to whom should we refer if we have any questions about it? WHEN does it all begin? HOW is the masterplan done and WHY is the masterplan important to us? In all reality, you can get all the exact information by simply surfing the official BSB-Masterplan website. But for some who still "don't get it" after reading the website, don't worry. You are not alone as I was in similar situation before, hence, allow me to break it all down for you (I will try my best do so). Here we go.....

WHAT is the BSB Masterplan?

In simplest terms, it is the latest and the biggest plan initiated by our government to develop our country's urban area. Initially, the area that is focused upon is definitely the capital city - Bandar Seri Begawan. However the development will be expanded and linked to other areas such as Gadong, Kiulap, Serusop (just to name a few).

WHO is behind the BSB Masterplan?

The specific government body that is authorized in designing, compiling and publishing the masterplan is the Municipal Department. However, decisions with regards to BSB Masterplan was not made solely by the department as various stakeholders and members of the public were involved in the process of making the plan right from the very beginning.

WHEN did it all begin?

The project was launched on 5th October 2009 and the first "discussion" was conducted the day after on 6th October at The Rizqun International Hotel. The discussion was called Visioning Workshop 1 where it involved specific public members (e.g. government departments).

HOW is the masterplan formulated?

As mentioned previously, countless discussions were held upon reaching the finalized BSB Masterplan.  After the 'Visioning Workshop 1', it was followed by these events:

• 17th November 2009 - Visioning Workshop 2
• 27th January 2010 -      Public Participation 1
• May 2010 -                     Design Workshop
• Jun 2010 -                       Public Forum

All these events contributed to the final BSB Masterplan.

WHY is the masterplan important to us?

Considering the process involved upon finalizing the BSB Masterplan, it shows that the plan represent what Brunei will look like in the future. The future of Brunei citizens depend greatly on the success of the masterplan as we will experience the "by-product" of the masterplan and all the project it comprises.


In the next post, I'll share with you the journey of the masterplan so far and its current projects & status....

PART 1:Brunei's largest Urban Development Plan to date... What do we know about it?

Greetings readers,

As you know the blog is all about sharing the journey of urban development and planning of our beloved nation-Brunei Darussalam. The governing authorities of Brunei Darussalam is in for something BIG, we're talking about The Bandar Seri Begawan aka BSB Masterplan-the latest urban development that is also considered as the largest, thorough, comprehensive and diverse government plan to date.

BUT unfortunately, when we ask around about what do they think of the plan, some don't really understand what the plan is all about, some couldn't care less about it while some don't even know that there is A PLAN. Such lack of awareness among members of the public is increasingly worrying. Why you may ask? Because it could potentially be a factor that would hinder effective implementation of the masterplan throughout the future.

The BSB Masterplan is made by the public for the public. The governing authorities have conducted various measures to encourage participation from the public and informed the public about the masterplan. Therefore, it is important to understand that everybody needs to be informed what the BSB Masterplan is all about as eventually everyone will be affected.

Hence, this blog is created to serve the public's knowledge, to help "put things in simpler perspectives", so that the knowledge could be made understand and share among public of different expertise, different backgrounds and different age groups.
So to make sure that all of us are in the same page, lets get back to basic...
I'll share with you what I know about the BSB Masterplan in "the simplest terms" in the next post...