Benchmarking the Implementation of Urban Tree Protection Legislative Provisions (TPLPs) for Construction Projects

Abstract

Urban trees are highly susceptible to damage during construction activities, making effective urban Tree Protection Legislative Provisions (TPLPs) crucial for safeguarding environmental, social, and economic benefits in cities. In Malaysia, TPLPs embedded in the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) empower the local planning authorities (LPAs) to enforce requirements for tree protection. However, recurring incidences of unauthorised tree removal indicate shortcomings in implementation. This study benchmarks Malaysia’s TPLP implementation practices against those in Australia and the United Kingdom, where more established standards exist for protecting trees on development sites. A deductive thematic analysis of LPA websites and official documents from both countries was conducted to identify success factors, which were then mapped against four components in the existing Malaysian TPLP implementation framework: Publicity, Protected Tree List, Planning Permission Procedures, and Enforcement Plan. The benchmarking results revealed a set of perceived success factors that enhance the original framework and inform the proposal of potential Critical Success Factors (CSFs) tailored for the Malaysian context. These CSFs underscore the importance of raising stakeholder awareness, improving access to protected-tree information, strengthening procedural requirements within planning approvals, and reinforcing enforcement mechanisms. The revised framework provides strategic guidance for LPAs to improve governance and practical implementation of Act 172 for construction projects.