Natural and cultural heritage conservation: tree preservation order

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Local residents and tourists’ opinion on the effects of boating activity towards Kilim waterways

Heritage sites within Kilim Karst Geoforest Park consist of geology, archaeology, ecology, history and culture. Therefore, both tourism and resource conservation should be integrated in order to benefit human and natural resources. This paper presents research that identifies the opinion of tourists and local residents on the effects of boating activities towards natural resource conservation in Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Langkawi. 320 structured questionnaires were distributed to tourists, local residents in Kilim and staffs who are in charged in the tourism operation of Kilim Karst Geoforest Park including staff of Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Koperasi Kampung Kilim Langkawi Berhad (KKKLB) and Komuniti Pengurusan Sumber Perikanan (KPSP). The study managed to gather 93% with response rate (n=299) that consist tourists (65), local residents of Kilim (145) and staff (89). Based on the analyses conducted, it was found that boating activities contributed to the pollutions along Kilim waterways in many ways for instance, oil spills and waste disposals. Majority of the respondents agreed that high boats speed increased strong waves, which lead to depletion of mangrove trees and affecting aquatic life. Kilim has become one of the preferred destinations for nature lovers since the area has been given the Geopark and has received countless of tourist arrivals. Nevertheless, this situation had also affected natural resources of the area. Thus, people who involved in tourism activities and the management of Kilim Karst Geoforest Park should concern and possessed adequate knowledge on natural resource conservation so that the area can be experienced by the future generations

Integration of rural landscape characters of the Pahang-Terengganu coastal route for tourism route planning

Landscape characters of a place are shaped by its natural geographic conditions and alterations from human activities. The sceneries found along a certain route can signify the image of a place and enhance tourist experience. This study addresses issues regarding the fragmentation and disconnection of landscape characters that have potentials to be planned and integrated, so that a practical approach can be used by relevant authorities to plan the tourism route and sustain the rural landscape characters. The aim of this paper is to delineate the coastal landscapes characters along the Pahang-Terengganu east coast route. The methods used for this research are content analysis from various literature reviews to derive at a conceptual framework, field observations and assessment of the landscape characters found along the Pahang-Terengganu east coast route, and describing the landscape characters from aspects of natural factors and cultural social factors. The findings of the study revealed that the coastal landscape characters for the Pahang-Terengganu stretch are highly influenced by human interactions with the natural resources that are native to the area. The dominant landscape characters that are visible along the routes are composed of natural and cultural settings such as vegetated areas, the seaside and traditional villages, as well as industrial and commercial areas. Future plans and developments need to integrate the natural and cultural landscape characters of the route, towards establishing the Pahang-Terengganu coastal route as one of the scenic tourism routes in Malaysia

Conceptual framework of rural landscape character assessment to guide tourism development in rural areas

The landscape character of a rural area is the distinct patterns that are shaped by the natural, built and cultural elements found in a particular setting. The rural landscape character is an important component of the rural landscape corridor, particularly in shaping a scenic driving route. Due to urbanisation, the improvements of road infrastructure and conversion of agricultural lands into commercial land use, the rural landscape may gradually lose its unique characters if they are not integrated into the development planning strategies. There have been a growing number of researchers that examine the landscape character assessment framework and studies on the rural areas. However, a framework that is tailormade to examine the rural landscape is needed to assist landscape architects and planners to identify and map the landscape values prior to planning any development in the rural areas, as these values are also vital in attracting rural tourism. The aim of this article is to formulate a conceptual framework on landscape character assessment for the rural landscape corridor. The framework proposes the addition of intangible components that relate to the tangible components of the rural landscape character. The framework can guide the planning of rural areas and the rural corridor

Open space development planning in Malaysia: Issues and problems

This study aimed to identify and understand the problems faced by local authorities in the development planning of open spaces in Peninsular Malaysia. The study focused on the issues and problem encountered by 98 local authorities in that are governed under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172). To obtain information on the preparation of open spaces that involves development planning, and policy enforcement, questionnaire survey was distributed to 456 respondents which obtained a response rate of 52.6% (n=240). The study found that the availability of land, lack of funding and policy compliance are the main obstacles hindering local authorities to provide better service to the public. This study recommends several measures to address the issues in the hope that it will help the local authorities to better manage and provide long term sustainable open spaces

Integration of Muslim cemetery as a recreational areas: analysis of planning guidelines and the social aspects

Recent studies suggested cemetery to be a dual function to accommodate the needs of open spaces that are gradually diminishing. In Malaysia, the Planning Guidelines for Muslim and Non-Muslim Cemetery need to be referred in developing a burial site because a cemetery is an important social infrastructure in the same way to a recreational park. The focus of this research is to analyze the identification of cemetery as an alternative space for social activities that are compatible with the sanctity of Muslim cemetery. This study attempts to reveal how Muslim cemeteries that are often considered as a dead space can be integrated as part of the city's recreational park without marginalizing the spiritual values of the space. The methodology employed comprises of (i) comparative analysis on the contents of the cemetery and recreational planning guidelines, and (ii) site observation of the selected case studies as a mean of data collection. The finding exhibits summative points extracted from both the planning guidelines and the physical elements observed that could transform and revolutionized Muslim cemeteries beyond its norm. This article concludes by providing some recommendations that will help to align the planning and design practice of Muslim cemeteries for future development

Exploratory review on understanding the relationship between cultural services and open space in university

Open space in University offers multiple ecosystem services, providing a variety of benefits to human life. Ecosystem services are defined as the advantages that people receive from the ecosystems. It is the conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems and the species are to sustain and fulfill human life. In current research stated, the ecosystem contribute to human well-being has been emphasized with less attention to the important of cultural services as there is a significant changes in people interaction with environmental settings. Cultural services are recognized, but it is not yet defined clearly within the ecosystem services framework how important it is to human wellbeing. Thus, this paper is aim to explore the understanding of the relationship of cultural services and open space in University. Hence, the objectives of this research are to study the cultural services functions and to identify the values of cultural services provided. It is to understand how knowledge of cultural services related to the socio-cultural value of human wellbeing. The research methods used consisted of a document analysis of cultural services with socio-cultural value through open space in University. The finding of this study is to demonstrate the proposed framework which shows the link between cultural services and socio-cultural value to human wellbeing. Above all, this approach is to understand the comprehensive approach to demonstrate the important of cultural services and open space within the campus to human wellbeing

Nature & structure: merging blue & green landscape for holistic well being at Metropolitan Batu Park

This project is about enhancing the holistic well-being of the community around Metropolitan Batu Park and Sungai Batu Retention Pond that might have face the urban issues in term of environment, social and economy aspect. Therefore this project is proposed to create an integration of the blue and green landscape element, infrastructure and technology in merging these two area into one family park that can give the platform in spreading the positive well-being effect to the users. The project is located at Metropolitan Batu Park which is 33 acres and Sungai Batu Retention Pond which is 253 acres. The total area is 286 acres. Figure 1 shows the key and location plan of the selected site. Both area is classified as zone A (Sungai Batu Retention Pond) that consist of natural retention pond area that is not accessible to public engagement, and Zone B (Metropolitan Batu Park) which is a lake park consist of few recreational activities however is not being fully utilized due to maintenance problem Both water bodies of these two area is from the ex-mining open pit that have turned into beautiful lakes. Figure 2 shows the zoning area between these two parks throughout the planning process and the demographic data of the community area. This two zone is separated by Jalan 1/18D, a newly constructed road crossing the area connected to the main road

The implementation of tree preservation order in urban environment: public and local authority perception

Trees are natural assets that play a vital role in the environment and living things on earth. Every tree has its own values, importance and benefits that can make a huge impact, especially in terms of enhancing the urban environment. Thus, the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) has been introduced all over the world, including Malaysia, to protect the trees. Although there are numerous studies about the importance of trees in urban areas, there are still not many studies on the TPO in Malaysia. The implementation of TPO in Malaysia is still not sufficient because of the awareness and challenges in implementing the order. This study analyses the perceptions of the public and local authorities in implementing the TPO in the urban environment. The study managed to get fifty (50) respondents from the questionnaire survey conducted, and interview four representatives from the Department of Landscape and Recreation Development and Department of Planning of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (KLCH). The officers were interviewed in order to study the perception of the local authority on implementing the TPO in urban environment. Based on the result obtained, the study found out that the public has awareness, knowledge and proper understanding of the implementation of TPO. However, according to the local authority, the public’s awareness and knowledge of TPO is still lacking. The local authority faces several issues and challenges in implementing the TPO because of the lack of the awareness of TPO on the part of the public. Hence, public awareness and knowledge can also help the local authority in the implementation of TPO in the urban environment

Islamic perspectives of integrating Muslim cemeteries planning with recreational areas in urban setting

The provision of Muslim cemeteries is a requirement stemming from the Quranic teaching that Muslims are buried upon death. Simultaneously, the provision of recreational areas is equally important for a healthy living environment and be part of the ten percent calculation of open spaces required by planning guideline. Due to the scarcity of land particularly in the urban area, one of the ways is to integrate these two types of land uses. This study seeks to examine the Islamic perspective of integrating Muslim cemeteries planning with recreational areas. Using content analysis, Islamic injunctions of the Quran and Hadith were examined together with their exegesis by Muslim scholars. In principle, it is permissible to integrate Muslim cemeteries with the recreational areas provided that their sanctity is preserved. There are limitations of recreational activities that could be done there and only the area with severe land scarcity is allowed to do so. Consequently, a specific planning guidelines for a hybrid cemetery is required as the current GP-010A and GP-005A are standing alone in guiding the cemeteries and open spaces planning respectively. This shariah permissibility based on Maslahah mursalah helps to address the requirement of recreational areas and Muslim cemeteries in an urban setting