Chap.5 Built Environment

This study is about built environment covering Shah Alam site. The term 'built environment' refers to the human environment which provides conditions for better activities ranging from buildings, parks, or green spaces to communities and towns that also include supportive infrastructure, including water or energy networks. This built environment is a material, spatial, and cultural product of human labor, which incorporates physical and energy elements in ways to live, function, and play. It was described as 'the space created by people, in which people live, work, and recreate every day' (Kaklauskas, 2016). Based on their site analysis in Shah Alam, the site located in the downtown area the city of Shah Alam which makes easy to access through Federal Highway, Lebuhraya KESAS, Lebuhraya Baru Lembah Klang (NKVE), and Lebuhraya Kemuning-Shah Alam (LKSA). Within 2 kilometer from the site, Shah Alam provide a good facilities such as education institution, hotel, hospital, mosque, fire station, and fire rescue. According to Shah Alam authority, the modern architecture of building need to compatible with the local environment and need to blended with traditional motifs. Furthermore, there are several reviews that have been conducted to identify the scope of a built environment that can be applied through effective suggestions and methods from several groups of students.

According to the Prothrugy Group, Eskandari et al. (2017) highlighted the design status from the pedestrians perspective versus urban streets where the author reviewed a sample of 270 questionnaires completed by local pedestrians in order to evaluate the quality of sidewalk in a subjective way. There are a few key points that are identified and divided into a few categories: walking; sidewalk; road design standards and factor analysis. The data was then analysed using statistical methods such as factor analysis and non-parametric Friedman ranking test. The findings showed that pedestrians’ preferences on the levels of service have been rarely considered in pavements of the study area where urban road design standards are based on minimum space allocation were applied. This research supports the concept that objective and subjective measures complement each other in providing data on walking environment attributes. Prothrugy Group recommends to identify the needs of local residents such as pedestrian road, for easy to access to every building in the site.

Prothrugy Group highlighted a study by Jasmi et al. (2016) who investigated the aesthetic and functional values of public art in the local context. The study examines the various typology and roles of public art installation. There are a few key points that are identified and divided into two categories: (a) to examine the typologies of public art installation and (b) to investigate the aesthetic and functional values of public art in the local context. The study found that the role of public art involves so much more than physical aspects; it celebrates the unique culture, reflects the history of the places and provides better facilities for the community. Whilst the study was limited the aestatic and functional values in public art installation in the urban landscape, Prothrugy Group recommends public art in urban setting for commercial building.

In summary, Prothrugy Group’s proposes to implement physical form strategies in urban context for environmental sustainability. The Group recommends identifying the need for local residents and emphasizing the importance of public art for commercial buildings in urban settings.

According to the group MIMWA, the rapid urbanization of Shah Alam has been the main cause of flash floods the city experiences, and in Misni and Shafuddin’s study (2017) they seek to understand the depth of the problem and discuss environmental Low Impact Development techniques (LID) by utilizing landscaping by studying Section 13. Three design solutions were proposed by the authors (Misni & Shafuddin, 2017), which were a rain garden, rainwater harvesting, and vegetated swales. MIMWA’s group suggest to look at budgets and compare to previous implications of LID around Malaysia in order to properly estimate those two criteria, and to find a case study to test out if the results match the data mentioned in the study regarding the decrease of the flood likelihood.

In another study discussing the implementation of LID techniques in Malaysia to avoid and mitigate flooding issues, Pour et al. (2020) focus on the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of the techniques. The study found that LID can be a cost-effective solution to the regional issue of flash flooding, with permeable pavement being most effective for short-term heavy rainfall, and bioretention cells and storage layers being more suitable for longer periods of exposure. These LID techniques help control unexpected randomizing factors, that are caused by climatic issues, and are best used when integrated into existing infrastructure in the area. MIMWA Group recommends further comparisons of effective LID technique from other neighbouring countries.

A study was done in China (i.e. Dong et al., 2017) proposes a hybrid solution that uses green infrastructure and grey infrastructure, in particular green roofs, permeable pavement, and water storage tanks. The study shows that, when taking possible random factors into consideration, 20% of the total area studied would equate to 30% increase of urban drainage resilience for green roofs, 33% for permeable pavement, and 4 water storage tanks would equate to 17% improvement. As for Shah Alam, it would be a good investment to apply these hybrid systems around the city, what with Shah Alam being the state capital of Selangor, and having sufficient funding to kickstart this process.

In summary, MIMWA’s group proposes to implement green and grey infrastructure hybrid solutions to the site of the project. The group recommends comparing costs of LID implications around Malaysia and countries in the region. Additionally, their study recommends green and grey infrastructure hybrid systems for further studies.

Shah Alam Future reported Ahmad et. Al (2019) found rapid pace of development in Shah Alam has put emphasis on green technology and sustainable urban drainage system such as using eco-composite porous concrete for managing stormwater quantity and quality. Ahmad et. al (2019) stated that the drain covers (slab) has been implemented in several areas with eco composite porous concrete that are used to mitigate flash flood, mosquito’s fertilization issue, and also where safety issue regarding the vandalism on the drainage cover occurs.

In another study regarding stormwater management, Li et. al (2013) recommend the use of reflective and permeable pavements as a potential practice for heat island mitigation and stormwater management where the author carried out investigation for the hydraulic and thermal performance of the pavements. Li et. al (2013) also stated that the permeable interlocking concrete pavers have the highest permeability which is adequate to drain rainwater without generation surface runoff and give lower surface temperatures that highly depends on availability of moisture near the surface layer and the evaporation rate that can carry light-duty traffic and certain heavy-duty vehicles. Shah Alam Future’s Group recommends furthering the investigation for sustainability structure to ensure that the study be beneficial for a long-term usage.

In terms of controlling noise, Lee (2017), stated that the effect of shading louvers and compact silencers as noise barriers in a ventilated double skin façade could benefit the indoor air quality and acoustical quality. Lee (2017) wrote that the ventilation potentials and acoustical performance using a double skin façade that composes of air cavity, two layers of glass, shading louvres and air vents. Based on Lee (2017), there is a possibility for using similar shading devices composition to reduce noise transmission in naturally ventilated buildings.

In summary, Shah Alam Future’s group proposes to implement the eco composite material that can be used to mitigate stormwater management in the urban area. Besides, they recommend furthering investigation in reflective and permeable pavements for long term usage to ensure the sustainability for stormwater management. Lastly, their suggestion is to include soundproofing material for the internal structure to be associated with shading devices for an efficient noise barrier that will improve the environmental issues in Shah Alam.

According to the group LOGARITHMA ALAM, Md Nasir Daud (2017) highlighted about the associating neighborhood elements with social cohesion and integration studies which the authors indicate the importance of quality neighborhood design and facilities. Richard (2018) highlighted about quality of urban life (QoUL), which focus at urban facilities. Gibberd J. (2013) highlighted about approach national built environment strategies to address sustainability with more comprehensive, and more local. Md Nasir Daud (2017) stated that a neighborhood design and facilities which macro planning to local management of facilities and amenities, that good quality physical environment encourages social interaction. The “New Village” is one of the three types of urban village in Malaysia which Nasir Daud (2017) developed a structural equation model for predicting social trust among villagers. The results support previous literature findings which identified satisfaction towards neighborhood facilities as a significant predictor of social trust.

Gibberd J. (2013) stated that interventions at a neighborhood level should be developed that enable-day-to-day living patterns to become sustainable over time. A key element of this are built environment characteristics and facilities which support sustainability. Neighborhood Facilities for Sustainability (NFS) are initiatives undertaken by individuals and communities to build local sustainable systems which not only improve their quality of life but also reduce environmental impacts. However, Gibberd J. (2013) state that this approach will be illustrated through NFS proposals developed for an informal settlement neighborhood in South Africa. Therefore, based on the Gibberd J. (2013), his study recommends to use initiatives of Neighborhood Facilities for Sustainability (NFS) to responds to the local context and develops local ownership and capacity of Shah Alam. In summary, Logarithma Alam’s Group agrees with the use of the Neighborhood Facilities Sustainability (NFS) in order to develop local ownership and capacity to which ensures Shah Alam’s systems are well managed and maintained.

According to Synergistic Shah Alam Group, Nasrudin, Nor, Noor & Abdullah (2013) highlighted about urban residents’ awareness and readiness for sustainable transportation case study. They studied the willingness of residents for taking into consideration of public transport instead of car usage. Another study by Jalalkamali & Ghraei (2012) emphasized about the Cycling Potentials of Malaysian Students in UiTM Campus where the authors researched extensively about the students of UiTM, Shah Alam regarding cycling and the factors affecting cycling as a mode of transportation. Nasrudin, Rostam & Noor (2014) investigated the sustainable travel behaviour of Sham Alam residents in order to determine the ultimate barriers and motivations. They found cars as the most preferred mode of transportation in Shah Alam instead of public transport due to their frequent usage which not necessarily result in traffic congestion. Therefore, recommendations are proposed to include adaptation and promotion of attractive feature of cars to encourage residents to practice sustainable mode of transportation. Among them include road taxes and elimination of fuel subsidiaries to reduce the usage of cars.

Another study by Jalalkamali & Ghraei (2012) promotes cycling and recommends inclusion of pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environments such as bike lanes on main streets, bike parking, urban bike trail system, pedestrian crossings and associated master plans. In addition, providing shades in walkways for the comfort of the user would be very beneficial to promote cycling. Therefore, based on Nasrudin, Nor, Noor & Abdullah (2013), Synergistic Shah Alam Group recommends new features to adapt in public transport in order to encourage sustainable mode of transportation among the residents of Shah Alam for reducing traffic congestion. In summary, Synergistic Shah Alam’s Group proposes features that can accommodate public transport according to user’s preference and satisfaction level. Further understanding of the psychological and perceptual behavior regarding transportation is highly recommended.

There is a need to ensure the ecology of Shah Alam will be improved to be more sustainable and at the same time can conserve the identity city of Shah Alam. Shah Alam could benefit from well designed, research and surveys on the local community in Shah Alam so they may receive optimal solutions. From the Prothrugy Group, it recommends identifying how local residents could access a building property. Synergistic Shah Alam’s Group suggested conducting perceptive research extensively among the residents of Shah Alam to boost environment friendly neighborhood. The Group also reinforces interviews people for advanced knowledge of transport infrastructure psychological and perceptive behaviour.

Implementation of green and grey infrastructure hybrid solutions to the site and use of eco composite materials are among innovative green solutions for the built environment in Shah Alam to reduce urban heat island effect. Prothrugy’s Group suggests to implement physical form strategies in urban context for environmental sustainability such as installation of public art for commercial buildings in urban settings, while Shah Alam Future’s Group recommends permeable pavements for long term usage to ensure the sustainability for stormwater management this strategy. A well sustainable city can be developed and maintained with good services of facilities which can be catered to all stage of age. A well-known city of Shah Alam will be more enhance in terms of built environments, that includes planned building construction, parks, green spaces to the communities, water, networks and energy will be full utilise and ensure that it will be manage and conducted in excellent to protect the environment.

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