Chap.10 Prothrugy

(Eskandari et al., 2017) highlighted the issues of Comparing sidewalk 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. (Eskandari et al., 2017) stated that 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; rather urban road design standards 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. However, (Eskandari et al., 2017) limited the study for only make a sample of 270 questionnaire to local pedestrian for the data analysis. Therefore, based on (Eskandari et al., 2017), my study will recommend to identify the need of local resident such as pedestrian road, for easy to access to every building in the site.

(Jasmi et al., 2016) highlighted the issues Roles of Public Art in Malaysian Urban Landscape towards Improving Quality of Life: Between aesthetic and functional value, where the author investigate the aesthetic and functional values of public art in the local context, this paper reviews several public art projects in Malaysia, as reference studies; examines the various typology and roles of public art installation. (Jasmi et al., 2016) stated that 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. This 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. This paper also proved that different public art will appeal towards its setting and fulfill the community’s needs. However, (Jasmi et al., 2016) limited the study to public art installation, aestatic and functional values in urban landscape. Therefore, based on (Jasmi et al., 2016) my study will recommended to highlight the importance of public art in urban setting for commercial building.

(Buyadi et al., 2013) highlighted the impact of land use changes on the surface temperature distribution of the area surrounding where this paper projects the relationship between rapid development and its effect on the temperature of surrounding through data collection. (Buyadi et al., 2013) stated that the specific objectives are to generate land use/land cover maps of two different dates, to generate the land surface temperature maps and to investigate the impact of land use changes of the surface temperature distribution of the study area. Remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) techniques are used to detect the land use changes and its impact on the land surface temperature (LST). Land use maps of two different dates are derived from Landsat images of 1991 and 2001. Results obtained have shown that the LST of different land use differs significantly. This study demonstrates that rapid urban growth significantly decreases the vegetated areas, hence increased the surface temperature and modified the urban microclimate. However, this research is only discussing about how rapid development has impact the changes on temperature of surrounding area without providing the solution. Therefore, based on (Buyadi et al., 2013), my study recommends to implement and emphasize the urban planning design that can counter the raising in temperature issue in a rapid development city.

Nasir et al. (2012) highlighted climatology factors that are believed to influence the environment variables that are crucial for outdoor recreation based on data collection, structured interview, and visitor counter. Even though many studies have been conducted in highlighting climatology factors influencing the outdoor recreation perception and activity, but those studies may overlook the intricacies of climatology in a specific circumstance especially in Shah Alam (Nasir et al., 2012). Though, the climatic factor in Malaysia seems insignificant for outdoor activity however the visitation or number of outdoor activities might be slightly affected by the temperature. Based on the data collection in Shah Alam, the trends indicate that if the temperature increases, the number of outdoor activities increase concurrently compared to rainy days. People possibly prefer outdoor activities during hot and sunny. However, this paper is limited to the climatic impact on outdoor activities only. Therefore, based on Nasir et al. (2012) my study will use this approach to promote more public involvement in outdoor activities for example the design and the usage of the public space for activities should promote comfortableness. The outdoor comfortableness can be improved by providing additional shade in the area through the use of trees, covered walkways, and pedestrian arcades.

Mahmoudi et al. (2015) highlighted physical problems that can affect the quality and liveability of a street where the author analysed deeper into the physical attributes of streetscapes in Kuala Lumpur streets based on qualitative evaluation analysis. Mahmoudi et al. (2015) mentioned that a total of fourteen streetscape’s physical attributes was identified through literature review and the qualitative analysis handled through structured observations and questionnaire surveys of people’s perception on the physical quality of multifunctional streets. The results showed that physical problems like improper walkway paving, inadequate public services and maintenance, traffic congestion, are deteriorating the liveability of streets. Liveable streets surely contribute to urban sustainability. However, an urban planning needs to consider on creating liveable, functioning and usable building to create balance between urban and people connection for sustainability. Therefore, based on Mahmoudi et al. (2015), my recommendations are to use the physical qualities examined in the structured questionnaire surveys from the people’s perspective such as walkway paving, parking space, building maintenance and cleaning, architectural style and accessibility to the site. This method is needed to gain analysis on their preference in improving or designing for liveable commercial building, shopping mall and office building in Shah Alam urban setting which undergoing degradation from five years back.

Omar et al. (2016) highlighted the aims to provide valuable insight of the various dimensions of human needs’ and their perceived benefits towards open spaces. Omar et al. (2016) stated that this study employed a mixed method research design involving both quantitative and qualitative methods that were utilised to identify and evaluate the human-human interaction and human-nature interaction in the area of study. Primary data was gathered by using a questionnaire survey that administered to 428 respondents as visitors to a public park. The finding of this study is intended to show the main domains that reflect human needs toward open spaces together with perceived benefits to the open spaces’ users. However, this paper is focusing on both human-human and human-nature interaction. Therefore, my research will only on focus on human-nature interaction to get a more in-depth sight of how this issue affect the human behaviours in open spaces.

In summary, urban form strategies for city livability and sustainability elements to align with Malaysia climate can be implemented. My study recommends to use the liveable city urban form strategy to be implemented on the Shah Alam city planning for a better living ecology of an urban setting. Other than that, my study supports on implementing sustainability elements that integrates economic growth, protection and preservation of the environment that consider on improving the social and human rights altogether. This is how a shopping mall can be closer to the urban community which is the users itself. Additionally, my study recommends to adapt aspects such as spatial form, symbolism and imagery, pedestrian friendliness, connections with the larger context, public uses to suit the climate of hot and humid in Malaysia for commercial spaces design. Hence, the existing abandoned shopping malls and plazas in Shah Alam can be revived by reshaping more successful main street shopping centres. The study also focuses on the comfortability of user in public spaces by improving the public facilities such as walkways, arcades and landscape as shadings. My study will also implement the questionnaire survey method in order to obtain the analysis of user’s experience and allow improvement of public spaces in terms of accessibility and comfort. My study also recommends to focus on human-nature interaction in order to get a more in-depth sight of how to improve human behaviour in public spaces.

Aziz & Hadi (2007) emphasized on the link between urban form to a liveable city where this paper shows the contribution and relationship of urban form to a liveable city. (Aziz & Hadi, 2007) explored into the theoretical characteristics of the urban form at the macro and micro scale. Urban form models that match the Malaysian cities’ urban form are illustrated in this paper with the idea of giving a larger context of the living ecology for Malaysian communities. There are two types of cities, one that grows in an ad-hoc manner, and the other is being shaped by planners. However, this research is only emphasizing on characteristics of liveable cities frameworks for planned cities. Therefore, based on Aziz & Hadi (2007), my study will use the liveable city urban form strategy to be implemented on the ad-hoc city planning for a better living ecology.

Abdul-Ghani et al., (2011) highlighted the Usability Concept of Malaysian Shopping Centre where the authors focus on exploration of the definition and concept theoretical of usability in a built environment. Abdul-Ghani et al., (2011) mentioned that usability is the main focus of interest in product design based has been adapted in creating the usable of Malaysia Shopping Centres. The results show that the changes format of latest design and various types of user causes more challenge to our shopping centres management. The hidden quality of usability is needed to consider the user experience in it as well as set the literature reviews as reference in determining the qualities. However, Abdul-Ghani et al., (2011) limit his studies to the usability concept of shopping mall. Therefore, based on Ngesan et al., (2012), my recommendations is to explore the usability and sustainability of commercial building in Malaysia. This is because commercial building is platform of various interface integration of physical, social, and virtual different actors. Besides, commercial building should be included of sustainability elements that touch on uniform economic growth, protection and preservation of the environment, as well as respecting and improve the social and human rights. This is how a shopping mall can be closer to the urban community which is the users.

Southworth (2005) highlighted a study in reinventing main street from a mall to townscape mall where the author analysed the decline of economic activities in US public spaces in urban settings. Southworth (2005) stated that there are case studies of several US shopping centres including reinvented old malls, townscape malls, mall-ed main streets and hybrid forms that combine aspects of main street and mall being analysed. Among considered aspects are spatial form, symbolism and imagery, pedestrian friendliness, connections with the larger context, public uses and limitations on use of the shopping mall. The results show that these aspects need to be considered by urban designers, landscape architects and planners in order to ensure the workability of main streets design and as an approach to reshape old malls and create more successful new main street shopping centres. However, Southworth (2005) limits his study for mall design in to cold semi-arid climate of US. Therefore, based on Southworth (2005), my studies recommendation is to adapt the aspects considered such as spatial form, symbolism and imagery, pedestrian friendliness, connections with the larger context, public uses to suit the climate of hot and humid in Malaysia. Hence, abandoned shopping malls and plazas existing in Shah Alam can be revive by reshaping more successful main street shopping centres.

Azmi & Karim (2012) emphasized on the implication of walkability towards promoting sustainable urban neighbourhood based on exploratory research on how neighbourhood concepts used in the urban area affect the walkability within the neighbourhood area. Azmi & Karim (2012) stated three principles of a sustainable urban neighbourhood which are the increase of local autonomy, diversity and respondent to place. The result shows that increasing the walkability in the neighbourhood is one of the approaches that can be used to create a sustainable neighbourhood. Design concepts towards barrier-free walkways and providing more shaded elements help to encourage people to walk. However, this paper only focuses on planning and design of the neighbourhood itself, that influence the walkability in an urban neighbourhood Therefore, based on Azmi & Karim (2012) my study will implement the barrier-free design concept related to the type of walking behaviour of the residents to the community facilities aligned with three principles of a sustainable urban neighbourhood.

Ibrahim et al. (2019) highlighted the sustainable city indicators in Malaysia and probes deep into the development of indicators that assess the level of sustainability of a city. Ibrahim et al. (2019) stated that there exist various types of sustainable indicators being studied and implemented nationally and internationally; this paper focuses on sustainability indicators focusing in Malaysia; it is to analyse the national context of indicators for sustainable city applied by the Malaysian authorities; it also looks into the implementation of sustainable city indicators by the Shah Alam City Council as a case study. However, Ibrahim et al. (2019) only emphasizing on the sustainability indicators without discussing the effect of its implementation in the urban area. Therefore, based on Ibrahim et al. (2019) my study recommends highlighting the effects of implementing sustainability indicators in a city towards the community.

Hashim & Shuib (2012) highlighted the issues of comparing economic and social indicators towards sustainable development in Selangor and the other states in Malaysia. Seven indicators for economic development and eight indicators for social development were compared. Hashim & Shuib (2012) stated the economic development indicators include employment by various sectors, income and socioeconomic measures, while the social development indicators include the provision of health, education and public facilities. The findings from the comparisons indicated that the social development in the state was not at par with the rapidly growing economy and the extensive physical development that had taken place. However, Hashim & Shuib (2012) only evaluated the data in this analysis comparing economic and social indicators towards sustainable development in Selangor from the year 1999 to 2002. Therefore, based on Hashim & Shuib (2012) my study recommends looking at the economic and social development indicators again after 5 or 10 years after the implementation of the blueprint for sustainable development and the implementation of policies in the Selangor.

In summary, urban form strategies for city livability and sustainability elements to align with Malaysia climate can be implemented. My study recommends to use the liveable city urban form strategy to be implemented on the Shah Alam city planning for a better living ecology of an urban setting. Other than that, my study supports on implementing sustainability elements that integrates economic growth, protection and preservation of the environment that consider on improving the social and human rights altogether. This is how a shopping mall can be closer to the urban community which is the users itself. Additionally, my study recommends to adapt aspects such as spatial form, symbolism and imagery, pedestrian friendliness, connections with the larger context, public uses to suit the climate of hot and humid in Malaysia for commercial spaces design. Hence, the existing abandoned shopping malls and plazas in Shah Alam can be revived by reshaping more successful main street shopping centres. Additionally, my study proposes to implement good approach to improve the city planning towards promoting urban sustainability for my project. My study supports Azmi & Karim (2012) recommendation to implement barrier-free design concepts related to the type of walking behaviour of the residents to the community facilities aligned with three principles of a sustainable urban neighbourhood which are the increase of local autonomy, diversity, and respondent to place. Besides, my study will follow Ibrahim et al. (2019) to highlight the effects of implementing sustainability indicators in a city towards the community. Last but not least, my study recommends conducting surveys to identify the economic and social development so that the implementation of policies in Selangor can be practiced to improve sustainable development.

Nurhayati et al. (2018) highlighted that green open spaces (GOS) are an integral part of the green network in any urban areas which serve the benefits of cities and people’s well-being in a variety of forms including physical, emotional and social health. Nurhayati et al. (2018) stated that this paper sought to explore further on the determinant factors of quality green open space (QGIS) assessment in Malaysia as part of an effort to overcome this shortcoming. This study adopts quantitative methods through questionnaire surveys to identify the most relevant factors which influence the quality of green open spaces in Malaysia. a 1500 questionnaire survey was distributed within fifteen (15) Neighbourhood Parks. The results generated from Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) had revealed eight most relevant factors of social sustainability, use pattern, place attachment, facilities, safety and security, nature preferences, activities and accessibility to achieve the quality of open spaces in Malaysia. Hence, it is hoped that the findings from this review would contribute to the improvement of Malaysian neighbourhood parks and plan as part of the support for the 11th Malaysian Plan (2020-2016). However, this study only limits the research to neighbourhood parks. Hence, based on Nurhayati et al. (2018), my research will recommend to use this quantitative method of identifying factors that influence the quality of green spaces and expand it to cover commercials and offices urban areas to get a broader social engagement pattern.

Ngesan et al., (2012) highlighted about Human Behaviour and Activities in Relation to Shah Alam Urban Park during Nighttime where the authors analyse deeper into the role of public parks in the social life of urban communities. Ngesan et al., (2012) stated that there are limited studies regarding night time social behaviour and activities in urban communities. The results show that the relation between community activity and urban park setting can improve understanding more on these two matters which later, could be used to influence the development of public park design, as well as to create night time urban outdoor environments which are more conducive for community leisure activity. However, Ngesan et al., (2012) limit his studies to behaviour and activities of urban community at urban parks only on nighttime. Therefore, based on Ngesan et al., (2012), my recommendations is for behavioural and activities of studies of Shah Alam community to be extended to daytime activities. It is true that the urban community changed their behavioural pattern by due to work hours. In my opinion, the studies should include the behavioural patterns of the office workers at urban parks during their lunch time hours. These methods will ensure the current planning and the design of outdoor public realm improve and led to more active urbanite lifestyle.

Omar et al., (2015) highlight the human interaction of open spaces which are outdoor urban environments. The interaction is emphasized in this paper is human-human interaction and human-nature interaction in the open spaces based on systematic data collection and observation on the daily usage pattern of spaces. Omar et al., (2015) mentioned the major functions of open spaces which are to allocate space for the city dwellers for a natural setting enjoyment ranging from low-activity leisure to a mire high-activity recreation. Public open space is for the public enjoyment whereby the private open space is to fulfil a certain group society. However, this paper only concerns on the human interaction for open spaces, the emotional component involved in their experience of nature and the benefits perceived. Therefore, based on Omar et al., (2015) my study will recommend to emphasizing the ecological and biological diversity to strengthen the human-nature interaction as well enhancing the in terms of psychological benefits and human wellness to improve the human-human interaction in open spaces.

However, Nurhayati et al. (2018) study only limits the research to neighbourhood parks. Ngesan et al., (2012) also limits his studies to behaviour and activities of urban communities at urban parks only at nighttime. Meanwhile Omar et al., (2015) paper only concerns the human interaction for open spaces, the emotional component involved in their experience of nature and the benefits perceived.

In summary, my study proposes to improve the facilities in public spaces in order to increase the comfortability of the public user. My study recommends to implement green design on the facade of the buildings that surround the public area. Additionally, my study suggests to conduct the survey of the user’s behavioural activities by covering both daytime and night-time in order to produce a more active urbanite lifestyle. Moreover, my study also recommends to emphasize the interaction between human and nature by improving the landscape and nature elements around the public area, while at the same time increasing the interaction within the community.