Construction aggregates for urban development: Consumption, sterilisation and the environment

Abstract

The relationship between economic growth, urban expansion, aggregate consumption and its resultant implications with respect to the environment is depicted well in the Langat Basin, which is situated south of the Kiang Valley, in the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. Extensive development within the Basin has created demand for construction aggregates and brought to fore environmental problems associated with quarrying. Uncoordinated planning of land development has contributed to aggregate resource sterilization, and if left unchecked may threaten future environmental well-being of the Basin. Policy instruments using mineral landbanks for construction aggregates and buffer zones for quarry operations is an option that can be considered to address these problems. Abstrak: Hubungkait pertumbuhan ekonomi, pengembangan kawasan bandar, penggunaan agregat dan implikasinya terhadap alam sekitar dapat digambarkan di Lembangan Langat, yang terletak di selatan Lembah Kiang, di negeri Selangor dan Negeri Sembi Ian. Pembangunan pesat dalam Lembangan Langat telah meningkatkan permintaan untuk agregat dan menyebabkan masalah pencemaran berkaitan dengan operasi pengkuarian. Perancangan pembangunan tanah yang kurang terselaras pula telah menyumbang terhadap pembekuan sumber agregat dan justeru menggugat kesejahteraan alam sekitar Lembangan tersebut di jangka panjang. Perkara ini boleh ditangani melalui penggunaan instrumen polisi berasaskan simpanan mineral untuk sumber batuan binaan dan zon penampan bagi operasi pengkuarian.