Ecotourism Policy Research Trends in Indonesia, Japan, and Australia

Numerous definitions and concepts regarding ecotourism lead to different implementations in ecotourism policies and systems. Identifying trends between countries provide valuable information for the development of inadequate ecotourism sites. This study aimed to understand the trends in ecotourism policies in Japan, Indonesia, and Australia by examining the bibliographic records of existing ecotourism policy research. These records were retrieved from the Scopus database and processed by using the scientometrics analysis. The results show the significant research trends of ecotourism policy in each country based on the co-occurrence of keywords were "conservation" for Indonesia, "biodiversity" for Japan, and "management" for Australia. Whereas, based on the research field, it revealed a similar priority within ecotourism policy between Australia and Japan in Social Science, while Indonesia in Environmental Science. The pattern of the keyword network analysis results in an anomaly in Indonesia compared to Japan and Australia, which clarifies the overlapping problem in ecotourism policy in Indonesia. It also visualized the shifting trends of research in some timeline intervals and notifies their relation to the emerging of ecotourism policy. This research also included the usefulness of the research results for future study and the recommendation for the ecotourism policy, especially for Indonesia

Characteristics of Tokiwadaira Neighbourhood Park in Matsudo, Japan: A space for the elderly

Tokiwadaira is one of the districts most populated by elderly in Japan. This study compared the preferences of danchi and apartment residents to examine the neighbourhood park preferences as well as neighbourhood park similarity. This research was conducted in three stages, including a spatial preference survey, analysis, and interpretation. A Welch’s t-test and correspondence analysis were applied. Results demonstrated three significant differences between danchi and apartment residents, namely park preference, length of visit, and preferred park elements. There were four similarities among Tokiwadaira neighbourhood parks. These results may help urban planners optimise existing features of neighbourhood parks to encourage use.Keywords: landscape preference; neighbourhood parks; resident participationeISSN: 2398-4287 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v3i9.151

DIFFERENCE IN PERCEPTION OF URBAN GREEN SPACES BETWEEN DANCHI AND APARTMENT RESIDENTS IN TOKIWADAIRA, MATSUDO CITY, JAPAN (Perbedaan dalam Persepsi Ruang Hijau Perkotaan di antara Penghuni Kompleks Rumah Susun dan Apartemen di Tokiwadaira, Kota Matsudo, Jepang)

AbstractIn Japan, where most of the population now comprises elderly people, various social problems have emerged, including lack of workers, inadequate care for elderly people, lower birthrate, the abandonment of local areas, and lack of community. In highly populated urban areas, city planners propose sustainable landscape planning but sometimes ignore the public, eliminating their sense of place. This study aimed to clarify the differences in green space perception between residents of danchi and apartments in Tokiwadaira, Matsudo, to learn what residents’ attributes may influence their perceptions, and to formulate factors of recognition and awareness of urban green spaces. The research was conducted in three stages: a recognition and awareness survey, analysis, and interpretation. A Mann-Whitney U test and Welch’s t test were applied to examine significant differences in perception level; a Chi-square test was applied to examine the relationship between residents’ attributes and volunteering activity; finally, factor analysis was applied to characterize residents’ recognition and awareness of nature and green spaces. The results demonstrated three significant differences regarding the benefits of green spaces between danchi and apartment residents, and five significant differences in their interest in green spaces. The attributes influencing danchi residents’ perceptions were gender and age, while those influencing apartment residents were age, existence of children, employment status, length of stay, and existence of green spaces. The three factors accounting for residents’ interest in green spaces and nature were: high recognition and awareness, moderate recognition and awareness, and low recognition and awareness. The results may prove useful as guidance for specific local governments in relation to urban green space planning and design. AbstrakDi Jepang di mana sebagian besar penduduknya terdiri atas orang lanjut usia, berbagai masalah sosial telah terjadi, seperti kurangnya tenaga kerja, perawatan bagi orang lanjut usia yang rendah, kelahiran anak-anak yang rendah, terabaikannya daerah setempat, dan kurangnya komunitas. Di daerah perkotaan yang berpenduduk padat, perencana kota mengusulkan perencanaan lanskap berkelanjutan, tetapi terkadang mengabaikan publik dan menghilangkan makna tempat mereka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperjelas perbedaan persepsi ruang hijau antara penghuni di kompleks rumah susun semi publik dan apartemen di Tokiwadaira, Matsudo, untuk mengetahui atribut penghuni yang dapat mempengaruhi persepsi mereka, dan untuk merumuskan faktor-faktor pengenalan dan kesadaran akan ruang hijau perkotaan. Penelitian ini dilakukan dalam tiga tahap: survei kesadaran dan pengenalan, analisis, dan interpretasi. Uji Mann-Whitney U dan Welch's t digunakan untuk menguji perbedaan level persepsi yang signifikan antara penghuni danchi dan apartemen. Uji Chi-square digunakan untuk menguji hubungan antara atribut penghuni dan kegiatan sukarela, terakhir analisis faktor digunakan untuk mengkarakterisasi pengenalan dan kesadaran penghuni terhadap alam dan ruang hijau. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat tiga perbedaan signifikan mengenai manfaat ruang hijau di antara penghuni danchi dan apartemen, dan lima perbedaan signifikan terhadap minat ruang hijau. Atribut yang mempengaruhi persepsi penduduk danchi adalah gender dan usia, sedangkan hal-hal yang mempengaruhi penghuni apartemen adalah usia, keberadaan anak, status pekerjaan, lama tinggal, dan keberadaan ruang hijau. Tiga faktor yang menentukan minat penghuni terhadap alam dan ruang hijau di antaranya: pengenalan dan kesadaran yang tinggi, pengenalan dan kesadaran yang sedang, serta pengenalan dan kesadaran yang rendah. Hasil penelitian ini dapat berguna sebagai panduan perencanaan dan desain ruang hijau kota untuk pemerintah lokal

THE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S RESPONSE TOWARD NATURAL LANDSCAPE BETWEEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF JAPAN AND INDONESIA (Perbedaan dalam Respon Manusia terhadap Lanskap Alami antara Pelajar Jepang dan Indonesia)

ABSTRACTPeople in different culture distinguish in their response to the environment, especially in interpretation and understanding of the perceived landscape. In order to plan and manage the environment for the selection of landscape with the aim of special care, protection, and amenity, it is crucial that people effectively participate and measure the existing values which nature represents to local residents. The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences of landscape recognition of Japan and Indonesia and to find the landscape element which is highly valued. The study was conducted with the following six steps, namely, photos collection, photo grouping, preference evaluation, exoticism evaluation, analysis, and recommendation. Cluster analysis (Ward’s method, squared Euclidean distance) was applied for the analysis of photo categories, and Mann-Whitney U Test was applied to examine the significant differences. In photo grouping, seven natural landscape photos of Japan and Indonesia were categorized in different groups. Forest photos were categorized as wetland by Japanese students. Two rivers, lake, and forest photos were categorized by Indonesian students, but Japanese students categorized it as forest and mountain in distant view. Japanese students also distinguished the wetland as wetland in distant view and wetland in close-up view. The results of preference evaluation show that significant differences were detected in 25 photos of 68 photos. The exoticism evaluation detected significant differences in 48 photos of 68 photos. Neither Japanese nor Indonesian students recognized forest and wetland. However, either the Japanese or Indonesian students preferred waterfall or coast than the others. Based on exoticism evaluation, river and wetland were not recognized, but coast and waterfall were recognized by both of countries. Both of countries shared commonality in landscape photographs evaluation of preference and exoticism, but differences had been found in landscape recognition based on the way of seeing landscape. ABSTRAKManusia dalam budaya yang berbeda membedakan respon mereka terhadap lingkungan, khususnya dalam interpretasi dan pemahaman lanskap yang dilihat atau dirasakan. Dalam rangka merencanakan dan mengelola lingkungan untuk pemilihan lanskap dengan tujuan perawatan khusus, perlindungan, dan kenyamanan, sangat penting bahwa manusia berpartisipasi secara efektif dan mengukur nilai-nilai eksisting yang alam berikan bagi penduduk lokal. Preferensi lanskap alami penting dalam perencanaan lanskap dari sudut pandang wisata. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengklarifikasi perbedaan dalam pengenalan lanskap di Jepang dan Indonesia dan menemukans elemen lanskap yang dinilai tinggi. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dengan enam tahapan, yaitu pengumpulan foto, pengelompokkan foto, evaluasi preferensi, evaluasi eksotisme, analisis dan rekomendasi. Analisis klaster (metode Ward, jarak Euclidian kuadrat) digunakan untuk analisis kelompok foto dan uji Mann-Whitney U digunakan untuk menguji perbedaan nyata. Dalam pengelompokan foto, tujuh foto lanskap alami di Jepang dan Indonesia dikelompokkan ke dalam grup yang berbeda. Foto hutan dikelompokkan sebagai lahan basah oleh pelajar Jepang. Dua foto sungai, danau, dan hutan dikelompokkan oleh pelajar Indonesia, tetapi pelajar Jepang mengelompokkannya sebagai hutan dan gunung pada jarak jauh. Pelajar Jepang juga membedakan lahan basah sebagai lahan basah pada jarak jauh dan lahan basah pada jarak dekat. Hasil evaluasi preferensi menunjukkan bahwa perbedaan nyata ditemukan pada 25 foto dari 68 foto. Evaluasi eksotisme menemukan perbedaan nyata dalam 48 foto dari 68 foto. Pelajar Jepang dan Indonesia tidak memilih hutan dan lahan basah. Namun, keduanya lebih memilih air terjun dan pesisir daripada jenis lanskap lainnya. Berdasarkan evaluasi eksotisme, sungai dan lahan basah tidak dipilih, sedangkan pesisir dan air terjun lebih dipilih oleh kedua negara. Kedua negara tersebut memiliki persamaan dalam evaluasi preferensi dan eksotisme foto lanskap, tetapi perbedaan pun ditemukan dalam pengenalan lanskap yang didasarkan pada cara melihat lanskap

IDENTIFYING VISITOR PREFERENCES FOR LOCATIONS AND FEATURES IN BOGOR BOTANICAL GARDEN, INDONESIA, USING GPS TRACKING AND GEOTAGGED PHOTOS

Research on visitors’ landscape preferences in a botanical garden is useful for understanding what visitors see while they visit the site. Analyzing visitors’ preference by using GPS tracking data and Visitors’-Employed Photography (VEP) is one of approach that successfully implemented in some studies. GPS loggers and visitors’ photos were used in this study to identify and locate features considered impressive by visitors. This research involved 35 normal visitors of Bogor Botanical Garden (BBG) as respondents, who were asked to capture impressive landscape features while visiting the BBG. Each respondent used their own smartphone or camera to take photographs and recorded their actual positions using a GPS logger.  The data of GPS tracking and geo-tagged photos were exported into ArcGIS. The 20 by 20 meters square cell were joined with points' data to calculate density of tracking points and photos points. A cell was categorized as hotspots if the number of points more than 2.5 times of standard deviation. The results show that respondents were concentrated on several geographic locations within the BBG; the most-photographed features were water, structures, and plants. Interestingly, the most-photographed plants were those arranged for recreational (rather than botanical or educational) purposes, suggesting new considerations for managers of botanical gardens

THE SPATIAL COMPOSITION OF ALUN-ALUN ON JAVA ISLAND TODAY

This study focuses on alun-alun, the open spaces in Indonesia that have a long cultural history. Alun-alun mostly located in the center of cities; they influence the pattern of cities and become a mental map for inhabitants. In this study, we investigated the distribution of alun-alun throughout Java Island. The research consisted of three parts. First, we identified Alun-alun from the colonial era using the old maps from Leiden University There were 15 locations of alun-alun in 13 cities identified from the old maps with characteristics as follows; 1) rectangular land, 2) located adjacent to the city mosque, and 3) located adjacent to the Regent’s office or Palace. In the second part, from those definitions, we confirmed 90 locations of alun-alun in 87 cities that have existed from the colonial period to the present across Java Island. The third part, we clarified the current province of alun-alun from two perspectives: area and spatial composition. We found that the present alun-alun show regional tendencies. Alun-alun in cities of Banten and West Java province was mostly in a small-scale area without Ficus benjamina trees. These points overlap with features described in the colonial era. Alun-alun in cities of Central Java and Yogyakarta province was relatively in a large-scale area and characterized by Ficus benjaminaas the main tree. Alun-alun in cities of East Java province was also in a large-scale area, but space mostly divided by planted areas, open area, structures, and others

Typology and Perception of Informal Green Space in Urban Interstices: A case study of Ichikawa City, Japan

Multitudinous studies about urban green space (UGS) reveal that designed and managed UGS may provide not only social, environmental, and economic benefits for cities, but also mental, physical, and physiological benefits for their residents. However, past studies have focused on widely recognized green spaces in urban areas such as parks, gardens, and forests. Wasteland, wilderness, and unplanned in-between margins, which have been called informal green space (IGS), could provide supplementary green space. This study explores IGS in Ichikawa City, a post-industrial satellite town of Tokyo with scarce UGS, by addressing the following questions: (a) What types of non-standardized and unsystematised green space exist in the target area? (b) How is IGS in the target area perceived? (c) Could IGS be considered supplementary green space for the city? Using a systematic land use survey, we identified nine types of IGS in Ichikawa City that accounted for 6.35% of total land use. A questionnaire survey showed that undergraduate students recognize the existence of IGS in their neighbourhood, perceive multiple benefits and see especially street verges, unimproved land and water verges as potential supplementary green space. We conclude that IGS can serve as a supplementary green space and discuss how IGS might be integrated into green space planning to improve residents’ well-being

A GC polymorphism associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is a risk factor for hip fracture in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: 10-year follow-up of the Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis cohort study

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported to be common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have a higher prevalence of osteoporosis and hip fracture than healthy individuals. Genetic variants affecting serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration, an indicator of vitamin D status, were recently identified by genome-wide association studies of Caucasian populations. The purpose of this study was to validate the association and to test whether the serum 25(OH)D-linked genetic variants were associated with the occurrence of hip fracture in Japanese RA patients. METHODS: DNA samples of 1,957 Japanese RA patients were obtained from the Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatoid Arthritis (IORRA) cohort DNA collection. First, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were reported to be associated with serum 25(OH)D concentration by genome-wide association studies were genotyped. The SNPs that showed a significant association with serum 25(OH)D level in the cross-sectional study were used in the longitudinal analysis of hip fracture risk. The genetic risk for hip fracture was determined by a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model in 1,957 patients with a maximum follow-up of 10 years (median, 8 years). RESULTS: Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that rs2282679 in GC (the gene encoding group-specific component (vitamin D binding protein)) locus was significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentration (P = 8.1 × 10(-5)). A Cox proportional hazards model indicated that rs2282679 in GC was significantly associated with the occurrence of hip fracture in a recessive model (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.52 (1.05-6.05), P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: A two-staged analysis demonstrated that rs2282679 in GC was associated with serum 25(OH)D concentration and could be a risk factor for hip fracture in Japanese RA patients

(Main Section: Ecological Planning)

Transition Area, Urban BR and sanjabunsuryung The biosphere reserves (BRs) of the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) aim at the successful coexistence of humans and nature. The existing BRs have worked with local people to create culture landscapes and conserve natural resources. The ideal BR models for areas undergoing climate change are cities within nature, and the areas that can be designated as BRs have natural and cultural landscapes. BRs comprise three areas, the core, buffer, and transition, in order to efficiently perform three functions, which are conservation, development, and logistical support. A transition area is where people earn an income from local businesses while effectively preserving their natural surroundings. When this area has a role in meeting the communal goals of residents by providing local resources and landscapes, it is appropriately managed and maintained. In addition, local products produced in BRs, which UNESCO believes are generated in excellent ecosystems, can be sold under the BR brand, contributing to residents’ incomes and local image. The Baekdudaegan mountain range (BDDG) is traditionally cherished as a symbol of the Korean peninsula and has enormous scientific value as an ecological repository. Additionally, the BDDG is considered a unique geographical recognition system referred to as sanjabunsuryung by the local area districts where Korean people have lived following a unique religious and historical culture. This study categorized types of transition areas in targeted areas with high potential for designation as a BR based on geographical characteristics. The developed index was supported by the Analytical Hierarchy Process method proposed by experts, and zoning of the BR was performed. Among the areas of the BR, the transition area was the focus of this study. This area was classified into three types, which were then subdivided. The watershed types were self-managed, neighborhood, and cooperative; the resident types were urban, relatively rural, and rural; and the local resources types were natural scenery and historical-cultural. A management plan is suggested regarding administrative districts, an urban BR, and relationships to other protected areas in the BDDG. In conclusion, the transition area of the BR was recognized as urban via the categorization process, and management of the BDDG should take a long-term approach