Excessive Heat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 Excessive Heat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1. Wicked Problem Identification: Excessive Heat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's bustling capital, is grappling with the escalating issue of excessive heat. This urban heat island effect is fueled by rapid urbanization, extensive concrete and asphalt surfaces, and a shortage of green spaces. These factors collectively contribute to higher temperatures, which adversely impact the health, productivity, and overall quality of life for its residents. The World Bank reports that from 1970 to 2013, the regions of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak witnessed a rise in surface mean temperatures ranging from 0.14°C to 0.25°C per decade (World Bank Group & Asian Development Bank, 2021).

2. User Persona

• Name: Siti Nurhaliza 

• Age: 28 

• Gender: Female 

• Occupation: Graphic Designer 

• Education: Bachelor’s in Fine Arts 

• Marital Status: Single 

• Hobbies: Photography, yoga 

• Health Concerns: Prone to heat exhaustion, sensitive skin

 

3. Storyboard: A Day in the Life of Siti with Heat Effects

• 6:00 AM - Sweltering Sunrise: Siti wakes up feeling the residual heat from the previous night. Despite it being early morning, the temperature is already uncomfortably warm. She decides to skip her usual morning yoga session in the park and opts for an indoor routine instead.
• 8:00 AM - Hot Commute: The commute to her office involves a walk to the train station. Siti makes sure to carry a bottle of water and an umbrella to shield herself from the intense sunlight. The train is crowded, and the heat makes the journey feel longer and more exhausting.
• 10:00 AM - Office Overheating: Siti’s office struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature. The air conditioning system is overworked, and she finds it hard to concentrate on her design projects. She notices her skin feeling clammy and her energy levels dipping.
• 1:00 PM - Scorching Lunch Break: Lunch break means stepping out to grab a quick meal. The pavement radiates heat, making it almost unbearable to walk. Siti and her colleagues decide to eat indoors to avoid the oppressive midday sun.
• 3:00 PM - Heat-Induced Fatigue: By mid-afternoon, Siti feels the effects of the persistent heat. Her productivity declines, and she battles a headache from the constant exposure to high temperatures. She takes a short break to splash some water on her face and drinks more water to stay hydrated.
• 6:00 PM - Stifling Evening: After work, Siti heads to a nearby mall to cool down and escape the heat. The air-conditioned environment provides temporary relief, but stepping outside again brings back the discomfort.
• 8:00 PM - Warm Walk Home: Walking home after sunset, Siti finds that the temperature remains high. The concrete buildings and roads retain heat, making the evening walk unpleasant. She notices that even the usually bustling streets are quieter, as people prefer to stay indoors.
• 10:00 PM - Night Heat: Siti prepares for bed but finds it difficult to sleep due to the lingering heat. She uses a fan alongside the air conditioning to try and cool down her room. Reflecting on the day, she realizes the impact of excessive heat on her daily life and contemplates ways to stay cooler.
• 11:00 PM - Seeking Solutions: Before falling asleep, Siti researches heat mitigation strategies for urban areas. She reads about the benefits of green roofs, urban greening initiatives, and more efficient cooling systems. Inspired, she decides to join a local community group focused on urban environmental improvements.

To effectively combat excessive heat in Kuala Lumpur, a multifaceted approach is essential. This includes increasing green spaces and implementing urban greening initiatives, promoting energy-efficient buildings, and enhancing public awareness about heat mitigation strategies. The city can benefit from adopting heat-resilient infrastructure, improving public transport to reduce the urban heat island effect, and encouraging the use of reflective and heat-absorbing materials in construction. Collaboration between government, private sector, and community groups is crucial for creating a cooler, more sustainable urban environment.

References:

World Bank Group & Asian Development Bank. (2021). CLIMATE RISK COUNTRY PROFILE: MALAYSIA. In https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org.‌

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