SDG 11.4.7

Sunway University's Sunway Centre for Planetary Health involvement with Ipoh City Council (MBI) in Ipoh Doughnut Economics Programme

Launched in March 2023 with funding from Yayasan Hasanah, the Ipoh Doughnut Economics Programme is a partnership between Sunway University’s Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH), Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR), People of Remarkable Talent (PORT), and Ipoh City Council (MBI). Endorsed by Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak, the initiative positions Ipoh as Malaysia’s first “Doughnut City,” embedding sustainability principles into city planning and governance.

The Doughnut framework is visually represented by a doughnut shape: the inner ring signifies the social foundations necessary for human well-being—such as health, education, energy, housing, and water—while the outer ring represents the ecological ceiling, beyond which environmental harm occurs through climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The space between the two rings defines the safe and just space where a fair, inclusive, and sustainable society can thrive.

Within this framework, affordable housing is treated as one of the cornerstones of inclusive growth. Recognising that rising living costs and gentrification risk marginalising local residents, the programme works closely with MBI to develop strategies that keep housing accessible and equitable for all income groups, particularly vulnerable communities. 

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In 2024, the partnerships advanced the development of the Ipoh Doughnut Economics: City Portrait in Action 2025–2030, which translates the framework into actionable policies. Prepared through a series of workshops, focus group discussions, and town halls, the plan reflects contributions from Sunway University and SCPH as knowledge partners, IDR as the state-level think tank, and MBI as the lead implementing agency. These engagements created opportunities for academics, policymakers, and residents to co-design a comprehensive, inclusive, and data-driven strategy. Aligned with Ipoh’s aspiration to become a reference model for sustainable cities in Asia, the plan will guide a new phase of development that empowers the local economy, protects the environment, and improves the quality of life for all residents. It is targeted for launch by December 2024, following final consultations and refinements. 

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Tan Sri Professor Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd. Nur has been appointed as a member of Pahang State Economic Advisory Council (MPEN)

In 2024, Sunway University collaborated with national and state authorities to address planning and development issues that directly affect communities, including equitable access to housing. One key channel of engagement is through faculty representation on the Majlis Penasihat Ekonomi Negeri Pahang (MPEN), the Pahang State Economic Advisory Council.

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Tan Sri Professor Dr. Noorul Ainur Mohd. Nur, Professor of Practice in public administration, public policy, and political science at Sunway University’s Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia and the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, serves as a prominent member of MPEN. She works alongside other leading figures, including Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, Tan Sri Krishnan Tan Boon Seng, Hon. Dato’ Mohamad Nizar Dato’ Sri Mohamad Najib, and Low Ngai Yuen, who collectively bring expertise in governance, economics, business, and social development that impact both state and national growth.

MPEN’s mandate is to provide independent, evidence-based advice to the Pahang State Government. Its responsibilities include drafting and overseeing the Pahang State Economic Master Plan, analysing data to guide policy decisions, and recommending strategies to address key development priorities such as land use, infrastructure, economic diversification, and community well-being. By offering strategic guidance on such planning issues, MPEN ensures that state development integrates both economic growth and social equity considerations.

In addition to this policy-level role, Sunway University contributes through its research on affordable housing. For example, the University prepared a detailed study for the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) that explored pathways to improve affordability, access, and sustainability in Malaysia’s housing sector. Insights from this research inform government, developers, and stakeholders in planning more inclusive housing solutions, aligning with broader development goals.

In summary, through representation in MPEN and applied research such as the affordable housing study for REHDA, Sunway University works closely with local and state authorities on planning and development strategies that not only drive economic growth but also safeguard community needs, including access to affordable housing.