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A novel approach to consider local‐scale defence infrastructure in an urban environment, coupled with a broadscale hydraulic model framework, is applied to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Broadscale hydraulic modelling frameworks are often able to employ more complex models, but are typically limited to homogenous decision‐making to ensure standardised outputs across large regions. Conversely, small‐scale hydraulic modelling frameworks tend to better integrate local‐scale features but can be computationally expensive to scale up beyond a regional view. Improvements to the broadscale hydraulic model framework through the incorporation of defence systems yield a more accurate representation of fluvial flood risk. This study incorporates defences in Kuala Lumpur, yielding a reduction in our estimates of fluvial flood extent by around 40%. The results of this study are validated against a set of high‐quality observations, demonstrating the capability of the model framework in capturing flood risk in more than 95% of known flood risk zones in the city. Incorporating defence infrastructure using data‐driven decision making and existing functionality in the hydraulic model could be automated in future model builds. This new approach bridges the gap between local‐scale model frameworks and the broadscale, homogenous 2D hydraulic modelling studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geoscience information supports strategic development planning for building disaster resilience in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which is a city challenged by issues such as landslides, floods and unfavourable ground conditions. Aspects such as the subsurface setting and susceptibility to hazards offer insights to resolve risks that are expected to worsen with climate change. Geoscience data were collated from field investigation and other sources for spatial integration using geographic information system software. The information on engineering ground conditions and susceptibility to geohazards was then combined to demarcate zones that are suitable for urban development. This approach can be applied to other cities so that relevant geoscience information is integrated for planning and decision making in a changing climate. The findings reveal that 20% of the city has high suitability for development and is generally not prone to climate hazards. About 80% of the land area in Kuala Lumpur has medium to high ground constraint, and this includes around 25% of the city area that is susceptible to landslides and floods. In the worst-case scenario where no action is taken, communities and urban assets within these susceptible areas would be exposed and vulnerable to more landslides and floods due to climate change. Additional development should be limited in such areas, and where already developed, targeted hazard-specific measures can be taken to build resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study empirically investigates the nexus among energy use, agricultural land expansion, deforestation, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Malaysia. Time series data from 1990 to 2019 were utilized using the bounds testing (ARDL) approach followed by the Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) method. The DOLS estimate findings show that the energy usage coefficient is positive and significant with CO2 emissions, indicating a 1% increase in energy consumption is related to a 0.91% rise in CO2 emissions. In addition, the coefficient of agricultural land is positive, which indicates that agricultural land expansion by 1% is associated with an increase in CO2 emissions by 0.84% in the long run. Furthermore, the forested area coefficient is negative, which means that decreasing 1% of the wooded area (i.e., deforestation) has a long-term effect of 5.41% increased CO2 emissions. Moreover, the pairwise Granger causality test results show bidirectional causality between deforestation and energy use; and unidirectional causality from energy use to CO2 emissions, agricultural land expansion to CO2 emissions, deforestation to CO2 emissions, agricultural land expansion to energy use, and deforestation to agricultural land expansion in Malaysia. The empirical findings reveal that increased energy use, agricultural land expansion, and deforestation have a negative impact on environmental quality in Malaysia. Thus, the effective implementation of policy measures to promote renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable management of forest ecosystems could be useful for reducing environmental degradation in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]