Suitability of Visual Resource Assessment Procedure in Determining Public Perception of Malaysian Landscape Quality

The issue on who is responsible to determine whether visual landscape quality is good or bad, attractive or unattractive, and so forth is still in much debate. This research was conducted to investigate the preference between expert personnel and public in visual landscape quality. This is due to the problem whether either method being use by expert can represent public preferences. The hypothesis of this study is there is no significant difference in visuaI landscape quality preferences between the expert and public to the study area. The goal was to determine if the expert method (VRAP) is suitable in representing the public preferences for visual quality of Malaysian landscape. There are two groups of respondents, which are expert and public groups. The expert consists of ten ( ~ 1 0 r)e spondents conducted the field assessment by following strictly the expert method (VlUW) while the public respondents were shown thirty-six tests slide photographs (based on public method). These photographs were systematically taken at the site and the respondents were asked to rate their preferences for each photos. The scale of visual quality preference was given range fiom extremely attractive, attractive, little attractive, unattractive to extremely unattractive. The individual score (percentage ranking) of public assessment was then compared to the median (percentage ranking) of expert groups evaluation using non-parametric statistical analysis. At the same time, several statistical tests were also conducted to determine the pattern of expert and public preferences of visual quality assessment. Results indicated that there are significant difference of visual preference (p-value =O. 004) between the expert and public at the study site. This finding suggests that experts and public have difference perception of visual quality preference of Malaysian landscape. Therefore, the expert method (VRAP) is not able to represent public preferences in this study

Young landscape architects' perceptions for Malaysian recreational forests

The beauty of Malaysia’s recreational forests depends on the quality of their natural landscapes. These include flora and fauna, soil, topography/landform, geological features, and water bodies. Man-made elements such as bridges, litter bins, walkways, playground equipment, and shelters also contribute to the forests’ landscape beauty. Natural assets and man-made elements need to be in harmony with one another to maintain the visual attractiveness of these forests. However, there have been few studies on young landscape architects perceptions of Malaysia’s recreational forests. This study aimed at understanding this group of professionals’ perceptions of recreational forests and their site development in Malaysia. Two recreational forest sites were selected for this study. They are Sg. Chongkak Recreational Forest and the Ampang Recreational Forest in Selangor. A survey was conducted using photo-questionnaires with photographs as surrogates of the actual environment. A total of 119 young landscape architects participated in this study. Results showed that these young landscape architects perceived the natural landscapes of both parks as decent but the man-made facilities in both forests did not harmonize well with the existing natural surroundings. The findings in a form park management with regards to managing the beauty of recreational forests and efforts should be geared towards appreciating their aesthetic values, the architecture, and the overall ecology of these recreational forests

Visitor’s adaptability toward natural elements and regulations in Penang National Park, Malaysia

In 2006, Penang National Park (PNP) became the second National Park destination in Malaysia. Through PNP complaint forms, the visitor reports some discomfort conditions from other visitors, facilities, and services while in the park. Cleanliness, signage, operational time of certain facilities and guide behaviour were negatively reported by visitors. Thus, the negative conditions will have an adverse effect on PNP as a conservation area. With this in mind, the research was carried out to learn about visitor’s adaptation in PNP. A total of 402 questionnaires were administered to domestic and international visitors. Some of the items in the questionnaire were further grouped into 4 concepts. Results show significant differences between the mean scores for domestic and international visitors on the concepts of regulation, active-activity, passive-activity and noisy condition, whereby the international visitors were found to be more likely to adapt to the conditions than those of the domestic. On the concept of regulation, both the international and domestic visitors could adapt toward the Park’s regulation. The significance of the results will be forwarded to the PNP management for their consideration of the visitors’ level of adaptation to reduce the negative impacts in the effort keep environmental sustainability in PNP

Public perception on landscape design towards property values of high rise residential development in Kuala Lumpur

Due to the scarcity of land and high land value, high rise residential are becoming a popular type of property development in Kuala Lumpur. The study investigates public perception on landscape design towards property values of high rise residential in Kuala Lumpur. It is typical in current developments that landscape infrastructure is a selling point and prominent feature. However it is vague as to whether this helps to increase the property value. Potential buyers may possibly place differential preference towards properties with landscape infrastructure should it provide benefits towards increasing the property value. The research addresses whether buyers place preference towards landscape infrastructure as a factor that would offer benefit towards increasing their property value. Proof is needed that the contribution of landscape design helps in increasing property value. A further research needs to be done in order to meet the demand and supply in landscape industry