The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) is developing formal guidelines to standardize the approval, management, and monitoring of community gardens within the city. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration with higher education institutions and technical agencies, expand community training programs, and improve record-keeping to ensure the sustainability of these gardens, MBSA announced.

The guidelines are expected to be finalized in 2027 as part of an effort to address existing gaps in MBSA’s data and oversight of community gardening activities. Currently, MBSA’s Landscape Department tracks 40 registered community gardens across Shah Alam, with 30 still active. However, the council is unable to confirm how many have operated continuously for five years or more, as records do not indicate the founding dates of each site.

MBSA also lacks comprehensive data on the total number of residents or households benefiting from the community gardens, but plans to improve data collection and management practices through the new framework.

At present, MBSA functions primarily as a facilitator rather than a direct financial supporter of these initiatives. The council coordinates site usage, provides technical advice, supports community programs, and serves as a liaison with relevant agencies. Any financial or utility assistance is contingent on site suitability and budgetary approval.

One community garden that MBSA considers a model for future efforts is the Section 20 plot on Jalan Tuntung. The council praised this garden for its strong continuity and active community involvement, indicating that its management practices could serve as a reference for other gardens across the city.

By formalizing these guidelines and improving oversight, MBSA aims to foster the growth of community gardens in Shah Alam, promoting long-term engagement and sustainable use of green spaces.