THE tragic collapse of block 1 of the Highland Towers in December 1993 is often cited as a reason to oppose hill-site development. 

There is no disputing that the country learnt important lessons from the incident, but it also tells us why hill-site developments in themselves are not the problem.

Hill-site developments, when done right, actually improve the safety of the hill itself and the adjacent areas. 

All hills with steep slopes carry the risk of slips. Even natural, undeveloped hills. This is why when we drive along highways or rural roads past hilly areas, it is not uncommon to see landslides at sites without  development or logging activities.  

In geotechnical engineering, we use a term called “margin of safety” or “factor of safety”. The lower the margin of safety, the higher the risk of landslides.

With natural, undeveloped slopes, a lower margin of safety is acceptable, but again, this does not mean there is no risk of landslide. However, in Malaysia, when a hill is developed, there is a minimum requirement for a factor of safety of 1.5 for treated slopes. 

This is actually higher than the margin of safety in Hong Kong. So the net result of hill-site development in Malaysia is that the hill or slope becomes safer than if it was not developed. 

Hill-site development has come a long way from Highland Towers. There are robust enforcement systems in place to ensure developers adhere to stringent local council guidelines.

The process of hill-site development involves independent, third-party consultants and the use of proven techniques such as soil nailing and rock bolts to ensure safety. The slope is stabilised and strengthened so that buildings are developed to last. 

It is also important to remember that hill-site development does not end with construction.

Hill-site developments are subject to rigorous, scheduled maintenance to prevent erosion. The building owner must employ the services of engineers to conduct a thorough inspection of the property and surrounding slopes.

The combination of safety requirements at both the construction and maintenance stages the development compel us to change how we view such developments.

At a time when space is increasingly scarce and the need for housing is rising, the merits of hill-site development are clear.

However, the all-important caveats – strict adherence to regulations, leveraging of scientifically-backed techniques and commitment to safety – must always apply.

Stakeholders should keep an open mind about hill-site developments. – March 31, 2023.

* Gue See Sew reads The Malaysian Insight.
 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.