The purpose of economic activities boils down to improving people＇s commonweal （＂minsheng＂ in Chinese, which refers to people＇s welfare, well-being and livelihoods）. The more equal income distribution is, the hi...The purpose of economic activities boils down to improving people＇s commonweal （＂minsheng＂ in Chinese, which refers to people＇s welfare, well-being and livelihoods）. The more equal income distribution is, the higher the aggregate social utility will be. Hence, the ability to meet basic commonweal needs and rights is a symbol of a country＇s commonweal achievements and improvements. Commonweal goods are provided through businesses, nonprofit organizations and government institutions. The coexistence of these three types of organizations emphasize their respective strengths and overcome their weaknesses. No matter which organization provides any given commonweal good, there is no free lunch. It is an important question of choice as to under what conditions should public needs be replaced by government decisions （choices） and what are the consequent costs. After a country has built a basic material foundation to ensure public welfare, the satisfaction of commonweal needs will increasingly take on cultural elements. Hence, commonweal values are evolving. Supply and demand of commonweal goods and the material cost for commonweal satisfaction （happiness） are subject to substantial changes. Great commonweal achievements and improvements cannot only be ＂good deeds＂ that are of immediate benefit to the people. They should include the establishment of sound economic mechanisms supported by the people and that can deliver commonweal improvements on a sustained and extensive basis, as well as compatible social and political systems.展开更多
The concept of urban forestry is not a new one for town planners and foresters in Malaysia. The difference between the concept now and in the early days is that, in the past, people associated urban forestry primarily...The concept of urban forestry is not a new one for town planners and foresters in Malaysia. The difference between the concept now and in the early days is that, in the past, people associated urban forestry primarily with the planting of trees, rather than seeing it as involving the total development of a designated area. Urban forestry activity in Malaysia started way back in 1778 with the planting of Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus) trees in Malacca, followed by large-scale planting of trees in Penang in 1802. A majority of trees planted at that time were exotic species, such as Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus), rain tree (Samanea saman), and broad-leaved mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), which were meant to provide instant shade and greenery. A more holisticconcept of urban forestry, which not only encompasses simply planting trees but also involves making provisions for preserving the ecosystem, started only in the 1980s. Sincethen, the concept of urban forestry has begun to gain interestand appreciation, encouraging localsto get involved with tree-planting campaigns aspart and parcel of many urban forestry activities. Today, efforts of government agencies such as theForest Research InstituteMalaysia(FRIM), together with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)and the Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur, have helped to inculcate interestin planting trees or greening the nation and to enhance appreciation of the concept of urban forestry as a whole. The importance of urban forestry from the perspective of both economic and social values is reflected not only in the prices of homes located in urban green areas but also in theamountof budget allocated formaintenance and further development of those areas. Everyoneliving in an urban area knows how important urban forestry activities are in day-to-day activities. Therefore, to help readers better understand and appreciate the needs ofan urban population, thispaper highlights not only the roles of urban green spaces butalso discusses the social and economicvalues thatMalaysiansplace on urban forestry.展开更多
文摘The purpose of economic activities boils down to improving people＇s commonweal （＂minsheng＂ in Chinese, which refers to people＇s welfare, well-being and livelihoods）. The more equal income distribution is, the higher the aggregate social utility will be. Hence, the ability to meet basic commonweal needs and rights is a symbol of a country＇s commonweal achievements and improvements. Commonweal goods are provided through businesses, nonprofit organizations and government institutions. The coexistence of these three types of organizations emphasize their respective strengths and overcome their weaknesses. No matter which organization provides any given commonweal good, there is no free lunch. It is an important question of choice as to under what conditions should public needs be replaced by government decisions （choices） and what are the consequent costs. After a country has built a basic material foundation to ensure public welfare, the satisfaction of commonweal needs will increasingly take on cultural elements. Hence, commonweal values are evolving. Supply and demand of commonweal goods and the material cost for commonweal satisfaction （happiness） are subject to substantial changes. Great commonweal achievements and improvements cannot only be ＂good deeds＂ that are of immediate benefit to the people. They should include the establishment of sound economic mechanisms supported by the people and that can deliver commonweal improvements on a sustained and extensive basis, as well as compatible social and political systems.
文摘The concept of urban forestry is not a new one for town planners and foresters in Malaysia. The difference between the concept now and in the early days is that, in the past, people associated urban forestry primarily with the planting of trees, rather than seeing it as involving the total development of a designated area. Urban forestry activity in Malaysia started way back in 1778 with the planting of Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus) trees in Malacca, followed by large-scale planting of trees in Penang in 1802. A majority of trees planted at that time were exotic species, such as Angsana (Pterocarpus indicus), rain tree (Samanea saman), and broad-leaved mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), which were meant to provide instant shade and greenery. A more holisticconcept of urban forestry, which not only encompasses simply planting trees but also involves making provisions for preserving the ecosystem, started only in the 1980s. Sincethen, the concept of urban forestry has begun to gain interestand appreciation, encouraging localsto get involved with tree-planting campaigns aspart and parcel of many urban forestry activities. Today, efforts of government agencies such as theForest Research InstituteMalaysia(FRIM), together with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)and the Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur, have helped to inculcate interestin planting trees or greening the nation and to enhance appreciation of the concept of urban forestry as a whole. The importance of urban forestry from the perspective of both economic and social values is reflected not only in the prices of homes located in urban green areas but also in theamountof budget allocated formaintenance and further development of those areas. Everyoneliving in an urban area knows how important urban forestry activities are in day-to-day activities. Therefore, to help readers better understand and appreciate the needs ofan urban population, thispaper highlights not only the roles of urban green spaces butalso discusses the social and economicvalues thatMalaysiansplace on urban forestry.
