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This book studies the debatable issue of the relationship between the town planning (TP) system to integrated coastal management (ICM). It examines the limited consideration given to the contribution of TP to ICM in Peninsular Malaysia and proposes how the TP system can better contribute to a comprehensive ICM approach. At present, there is no comprehensive national legislation for the administration and planning of the coast of Malaysia and no single coastal development authority to deal with the coastal area. The study investigates whether the TP system can and should make a substantial contribution to ICM by conducting research that focuses on the application of theory on practice. Analysis at national level suggests the interaction is complex in nature particularly in terms of operation and practice. Even though some issues, like fisheries and navigation, are beyond the scope of the TP system to plan and regulate, there was a feeling that, at the local level, such an arrangement would be workable for a better integrated coastal management in Peninsular Malaysia.

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M.Zainora Asmawi is currently a senior lecturer at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, International Islamic University Malaysia. She has been researching into environmental and local planning practice for the past 11 years.

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