216
Introduction
Tasik Kenyir is the biggest man-made lake in Southeast Asia that was inundatedin
1986 as a result of the construction of the Sultan Mahmud hydroelectric dam. It
contains more than 340 islands in a flooded area of 38,000 hectares (Lola et al.
2019; Yusof et al. 2011), which is almost as big as Singapore. Tasik Kenyir derives
its name from Sungai Kenyir, where the dam was built. The islands in Tasik Kenyir
host diverse forms of flora and fauna which may be unique. Sustainability involves
taking different factors like economic, social, environmental, political and financial
aspects into consideration to ensure continuity of resources and survival of an environment for the long term (Siche et al. 2008). The term “sustainability” was introduced as an international issue in the World Conservation Strategy summit in 1980.
Since then, the term has been used with increased frequency to debate decisions on
economic, social and environmental dimensions, besides searching for alternative
forms of development that are environment-friendly (Siche et al. 2008). Many
experts agreed that the sustainable urban concept must retain economic development, social development and environmental development success where the concept of sustainable exists as a complete entity and can also be independent
(Drakakis-Smith 1997).
Ecology is an inherent interdisciplinary science with physical and biological
components. However, ecologists do engage social scientists, economists, planners
and policy-makers in working together to develop the country. Ecological knowledge has greatly contributed to our understanding of the natural world and impact
of humans on the ecosystem. Ecological sustainability refers to the capacity of the
biosphere to meet the needs of the present generation, without hindering future
generations from being able to meet their needs (Houda and Lamia 2016).
Chapter 40 of the United Nations' Agenda 21 (United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development 1996) emphasises the development of indicators for
Sustainable Development (SD).It is a non-binding action plan for countries to
achieve sustainable development, and government and non-governmental organisations are encouraged to formulate indicators to monitor such development (United
Nations 1993). That agenda has since evolved into the newer Agenda 2030, which
contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Indicators have long been used to obtain information on human health, weather
and economic welfare. Compared to economic and social aspects, environmental
and sustainable development indicators are a fairly new phenomenon. Indicators are
useful tools for decision-makers and provide information on major issues of development as well as the distinct image on progress towards sustainable development.
Moreover, sustainable decision-making involves political will at local, national and
regional levels to create and promote a balanced environment (Huang et al. 2008).
The measurement of urban sustainability becomes crucial and its indicators, through
results input, must be integrated as an index. The index is an aggregation of indicators that is readily understandable in the context of sustainability, and it plays a
distinctive role. A composite index can be obtained from all dimensions, objectives,
M. N. A. Rahman et al.
Introduction
Tasik Kenyir is the biggest man-made lake in Southeast Asia that was inundatedin
1986 as a result of the construction of the Sultan Mahmud hydroelectric dam. It
contains more than 340 islands in a flooded area of 38,000 hectares (Lola et al.
2019; Yusof et al. 2011), which is almost as big as Singapore. Tasik Kenyir derives
its name from Sungai Kenyir, where the dam was built. The islands in Tasik Kenyir
host diverse forms of flora and fauna which may be unique. Sustainability involves
taking different factors like economic, social, environmental, political and financial
aspects into consideration to ensure continuity of resources and survival of an environment for the long term (Siche et al. 2008). The term “sustainability” was introduced as an international issue in the World Conservation Strategy summit in 1980.
Since then, the term has been used with increased frequency to debate decisions on
economic, social and environmental dimensions, besides searching for alternative
forms of development that are environment-friendly (Siche et al. 2008). Many
experts agreed that the sustainable urban concept must retain economic development, social development and environmental development success where the concept of sustainable exists as a complete entity and can also be independent
(Drakakis-Smith 1997).
Ecology is an inherent interdisciplinary science with physical and biological
components. However, ecologists do engage social scientists, economists, planners
and policy-makers in working together to develop the country. Ecological knowledge has greatly contributed to our understanding of the natural world and impact
of humans on the ecosystem. Ecological sustainability refers to the capacity of the
biosphere to meet the needs of the present generation, without hindering future
generations from being able to meet their needs (Houda and Lamia 2016).
Chapter 40 of the United Nations' Agenda 21 (United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development 1996) emphasises the development of indicators for
Sustainable Development (SD).It is a non-binding action plan for countries to
achieve sustainable development, and government and non-governmental organisations are encouraged to formulate indicators to monitor such development (United
Nations 1993). That agenda has since evolved into the newer Agenda 2030, which
contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Indicators have long been used to obtain information on human health, weather
and economic welfare. Compared to economic and social aspects, environmental
and sustainable development indicators are a fairly new phenomenon. Indicators are
useful tools for decision-makers and provide information on major issues of development as well as the distinct image on progress towards sustainable development.
Moreover, sustainable decision-making involves political will at local, national and
regional levels to create and promote a balanced environment (Huang et al. 2008).
The measurement of urban sustainability becomes crucial and its indicators, through
results input, must be integrated as an index. The index is an aggregation of indicators that is readily understandable in the context of sustainability, and it plays a
distinctive role. A composite index can be obtained from all dimensions, objectives,
M. N. A. Rahman et al.