The Values of Physical Landscape in Accommodating Social Sustainability of Traditional Malay Settlement

Traditional settlements are one of the many valuable possessions in terms of history, customs, culture and architecture. However, modernization and progress have greatly altered the physical landscape and destroyed these important social spaces by replacing them with more modern public infrastructure. This study aims to investigate how the multiple physical aspects of public infrastructure and traditional settlement environment around Kuala Terengganu play a role in supporting the welfare of the community. This research using mixed-methodology, which includes observation, questionnaires and interviews. The size of the data was accumulated from 800 residents by using a questionnaire survey to recognize the relevant factors that shape social sustainability. The main findings shows the three main factors of public spaces; (i) sufficient facilities; (ii) accommodate a variety of activities; (iii) provide convenience to the public. Keywords: physical landscape; public spaces; public infrastructure; social sustainability; traditional settlement eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. 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. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.1858

Enhancement for Rural Livability: Changes and impacts on the traditional Malay settlement

A traditional settlement is defined as an area with sound and a strong sense of traditional village character inhabited by a society that preserves their cultural and traditional practices. However, the society’s traditions and way of life have continuously been threatened as the country moves towards urbanisation, which is gradually changing the settlements. The objectives of this research are to identify the changes in the traditional settlement and identify the issues in deterioration of traditional Malay settlement. A mixed-method approach applied as the research methodology. The findings reveal the changes and impact include six underlying factors; natural disaster, lack of maintenance, modern development, destruction by irresponsible parties, lack of awareness and declining of traditional product in the market.Keywords: traditional settlements; issues; heritage sites; preservation of heritage sites  eISSN: 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.v3i9.154

Factors Affecting Social Sustainability of Traditional Malay Settlement

The Adopt-A-Park Programme has Successful traditional settlements refer to a settlement environment that spontaneously built by residents who consider their existing site integrates with excellent social sustainability indicators. This study aims to determine the factors of physical character for social sustainability of a traditional settlement. Among the objectives is to identify the types of physical characteristics deemed as significant in daily social interaction among the locals. A quantitative method was employed using questionnaire survey distributed to 400 residents in two historic settlements in Kuala Terengganu. Such factors categorised into six latent factors, which are the preservation of local identity, safety, provision of infrastructure, natural qualities, accessibility, and availability of public spaces. Keywords: social sustainability; traditional settlement; factor analysis; Kuala Terengganu 2398-4279 © 2019 The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA CE-Bs by E-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-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. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ajqol.v4i17.19

The Key Determinant Factors for Social Sustainability in Traditional Settlement

Successful traditional settlements refer to a settlement environment that spontaneously built by residents who consider their existing site integrates with excellent social sustainability indicators. This study aims to determine the critical factors of physical character for social sustainability of a traditional settlement with the objective to identify the types of physical characteristics deemed as significant in daily social interaction among the locals. To achieve this, a quantitative method was employed using questionnaire survey distributed to 400 residents in two historic settlements, namely Kampung Pulau Duyong and Kampung Losong located at Kuala Terengganu. Both sites are selected due to good conservation practices observed concerning the physical landscape. The results generated from the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed eleven factors (11) related to social sustainability. Such factors then categorised into six latent factors, which are the preservation of local identity, safety, provision of infrastructure, natural qualities, accessibility, and availability of public spaces. The findings recall the relationship between physical aspects and social sustainability as a step towards improvement in historic site preservation efforts.Keywords: social sustainability; traditional settlement; factor analysis; Kuala TerengganueISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. 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.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i12.194

Enlivening the mosque as a public space for social sustainability of traditional Malay settlements

Public spaces are vital elements of settlement fabrics that animate communities together in one place. Nevertheless, most public places are used for recreational purposes only without building on communal activities, especially in religious aspects. Therefore, to achieve robust social sustainability, this study aims to identify the key indicators for ensuring social sustainability of traditional settlements’ public spaces. This study explores the typologies of public spaces found in traditional settlements that fill the needs of the local community. A mixed methodology was used to map and observe the public spaces and the communal activities held in two traditional Malay settlements in Kuala Terengganu. The bulk of the data were randomly collected from 400 residents by using a questionnaire survey to identify the most relevant factors that influence social sustainability. The results show that mosques have been listed as the highest preference of public space in the two sampled settlements. The study outlines three key qualities that lead the community to choose the mosque as the most important public space: 1) convenient access, 2) comfortable and clean, and 3) social aspects. This paper concludes on how these findings contribute to the improvement of quality of life, social interaction and social cohesion to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) globally

Examining the Needs of Green Infrastructure (GI) Facilities in Strata Low-cost Flats, Selangor

Rapid urbanization has transformed the pattern of urban land use to focus more onhousing development. Unfortunately, the focus is less on improving the optimal use of community and green infrastructure (GI) facilities for communities in low-cost housing. Studies have shown that the lack of proper facilities and GI have impacted the individual, physical, psychological, and social health of a community. The outdoor facilities of low-cost housing developments are claimed to be very limited. Hence, the planning standards and guidelines for housing should go beyond their basic provisions, to offer a more conducive environment that improves the health and wellbeing of the community, especially in the event of a pandemic. Hence, the paper presents the preference of GI facilities in three low-cost strata housing flats in Selangor (Lembah Jaya, Kajang Utama, and PKNS PJS2 low-cost flats). The data collection consists of (a) spatial analysis using drone images that were converted into AutoCAD spatial maps; (b) interviews with the Joint Management Bodies; and (c) a questionnaire survey of residents (Lembah Jaya–n=116; Kajang Utama Flats–n=50; PKNS PJS2–n=85). The results reveal the limitations of the existing developments, challenges, and needs of the community. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, the outdoor spaces in the housing areas are indispensable for residents to relax their minds and do various allowable outdoor activities. This paper emphasizes that the provision of a new model for community and GI facilities in low-cost apartments is a must. A comfortable living environment in the area will support the ecological and social system of a community, thus promoting a good society. It urges the government, developers, and local governments to change the development approach for this type of housing to one that emphasizes a healthier, higher-quality, and more sustainable environment for the local community

Examining the needs of green infrastructure (GI) facilities in strata low-cost flats, Selangor

Rapid urbanization has transformed the pattern of urban land use to focus more on housing development. Unfortunately, the focus is less on improving the optimal use of community and green infrastructure (GI) facilities for communities in low-cost housing. Studies have shown that the lack of proper facilities and GI have impacted the individual, physical, psychological, and social health of a community. The outdoor facilities of low-cost housing developments are claimed to be very limited. Hence, the planning standards and guidelines for housing should go beyond their basic provisions, to offer a more conducive environment that improves the health and wellbeing of the community, especially in the event of a pandemic. Hence, the paper presents the preference of GI facilities in three low-cost strata housing flats in Selangor (Lembah Jaya, Kajang Utama, and PKNS PJS2 low-cost flats). The data collection consists of (a) spatial analysis using drone images that were converted into AutoCAD spatial maps; (b) interviews with the Joint Management Bodies; and (c) a questionnaire survey of residents (Lembah Jaya–n=116; Kajang Utama Flats–n=50; PKNS PJS2–n=85). The results reveal the limitations of the existing developments, challenges, and needs of the community. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, the outdoor spaces in the housing areas are indispensable for residents to relax their minds and do various allowable outdoor activities. This paper emphasizes that the provision of a new model for community and GI facilities in low-cost apartments is a must. A comfortable living environment in the area will support the ecological and social system of a community, thus promoting a good society. It urges the government, developers, and local governments to change the development approach for this type of housing to one that emphasizes a healthier, higher-quality, and more sustainable environment for the local community