The Role of Public Art in Encouraging Social Interaction Among Visitors at Elmina Lakeside Mall Urban Park, Shah Alam

Authors

  • Shaibatul’ Islamiah Che Man Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nur Syazana Jamrus Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nurhayati Abdul Malek Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Amalina Mohd Fauzi Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Muhammad Noor Ismail MNi Design Sdn. Bhd., Taman TTDI Jaya, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i2.11160

Keywords:

Role of Public Art, Social Interaction, Community Engagement, Lakeside Park, Urban Commercial Park

Abstract

Public art has long been seen as a significant contributor to create vibrant and interesting public spaces. However, its potential in fostering social interaction and community engagement remains underutilised in some urban contexts. This research investigates the role of public art in promoting social interaction among users at Elmina Lakeside Mall, Shah Alam. Public art installations, such as sculptures and monuments, are not merely decorative but have the potential to become social catalysts that foster interaction and community engagement. This study aims to evaluate how public art can transform public spaces into interactive environments that foster connections and encourage diverse groups to engage actively. Using a combination of direct site observations and questionnaire survey, the research examines how public art influences user behaviour, with a specific focus on its role in promoting meaningful social interaction and fostering a cohesive community environment. The findings offer insight into how public art can be more effectively integrated into urban landscapes to enhance community life and create more socially dynamic spaces. The study recommends strategies for landscape designers and urban planners to maximise the social benefits of public art.  

Author Biographies

  • Shaibatul’ Islamiah Che Man, Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Shaibatul’ Islamiah Che Man, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in the Studies for Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Her research interests focus on public art in open public spaces from Islamic perspectives, landscape architecture pedagogy, and the integration of virtual and augmented reality applications in landscape architecture education. She has published in several journals, including Advanced Science Letters, Asian Journal of Vocational Education and Humanities, Theoretical & Empirical Research in Urban Management, and the Journal of Vocational Education Studies. She can be reached via email at shaibatul@uitm.edu.my.

  • Nur Syazana Jamrus, Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Nur Syazana Jamrus is a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) student in the Studies for Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. She is currently pursuing her studies under the Faculty of Built Environment. Her research interests focus on the integration of public art to promote social interaction, particularly within the context of urban design. She can be contacted via email at syazanajamros@gmail.com. 

  • Nurhayati Abdul Malek, Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Nurhayati Abdul Malek, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Studies for Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Her research centres on green space planning, restorative environments, public park management, and urban sustainability. She has published in journals such as Theoretical & Empirical Researches in Urban Management, Planning Malaysia Journal, Ain Shams Engineering Journal, Journal of Architecture, Planning & Construction Management (JAPCM), Built Environment Journal, and Malaysian Journal of Science and Engineering (MySE). She can be contacted via email at nurhayati8203@uitm.edu.my.

  • Amalina Mohd Fauzi, Centre of Studies for Architecture and Planning (Landscape Architecture), Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Amalina Mohd Fauzi, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in the Studies for Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Her research focuses on ecosystem services, urban ecology, and urban design. She has published in journals such as International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, PLANNING MALAYSIA, Built Environment Journal and International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. She can be reached via email at amalinafauzi@uitm.edu.my.

  • Muhammad Noor Ismail, MNi Design Sdn. Bhd., Taman TTDI Jaya, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Muhammad Noor Ismail is the principal landscape architect at MNi Design Sdn. Bhd., Pusat Daerah Seksyen 6, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. His extensive practice focuses on integrating well-being, human-nature relationships, and sustainable green symbiosis into design. Highly experienced in project management and contributing to Jabatan Landskap Negara initiatives, his diverse portfolio spans major public parks (like Lumut Waterfront), residential and commercial developments, upgrading works including Kebun Bunga Istana, and international participation at the 2006 International Horticulture Exposition in Thailand. He can be reached via email at mni7771@gmail.com. 

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Published

03-07-2026

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 2 (2026): Built Environment Journal

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Shaibatul’ Islamiah Che Man, Nur Syazana Jamrus, Nurhayati Abdul Malek, Amalina Mohd Fauzi, Muhammad Noor Ismail

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

 

How to Cite

The Role of Public Art in Encouraging Social Interaction Among Visitors at Elmina Lakeside Mall Urban Park, Shah Alam. (2026). Built Environment Journal, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i2.11160

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