Built Environment Journal

Tabulation and Landscape Characters of Lenggong Valley’s Malay Traditional Houses

Mohd Ruzaini Che Zahari — 2024-01-01

Lenggong Valley is famously known as an archaeological site due to UNESCO's World Heritage Site verification. Following this, the aspiration towards Global Geopark recognition comprising Lenggong's distinctive cultural heritage was initiated. Malay traditional house is one of the attributes of cultural heritage. It presents a character that symbolises uniqueness reflected in the states where they were built and the relation between historical events. This study aims to explore the distribution tabulation and landscape characters of Malay traditional houses in Lenggong Valley, Perak, Malaysia. The methodology includes site observation and evaluation, with the spatial location of the houses recorded using GPS. The collected samples of hundred eight (108) traditional houses were analysed using Kernel Density Analysis. Results showed that the tabulation of Lenggong traditional houses is concentrated approximately to caves and the Perak River concurrence with the historical evidence of Paleolithic human settlement and the Malay sultanate era. Two significant types of traditional houses found are Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak (RLBP) with 79% and Rumah Kutai (RK) with 14%. Most of the houses are still preserved with vernacular architecture and semi-vernacular which points to their significant identity. The landscape of the traditional houses also points to the unique characters supported by the geographical setting of Lenggong as a valley. These findings support the aspiration of a Geo-Park in Lenggong in the context of the cultural heritage landscape and provide substantial information to authorities regarding conservation and preservation of Lenggong as a heritage cultural site in a broader sense. Future study is encouraged to provide a detailed assessment of the houses' condition towards heritage preservation and conservation efforts.

Enhancing the Maintenance Practice to Improve Guests’ Satisfaction in the Hotels Industry

Cheong Peng Au-Yong — 2024-01-01

Lack of maintenance could result in complaints from guests which could affect overall satisfaction and reputation of the hotel. Unfortunately, this issue remains where the majority of the complaints are from the tangible factor with guests complaining about hotel amenities. Therefore, this paper aims to propose effective maintenance practices for hotels to improve the satisfaction level of guests. Eight (8) factors that affect maintenance practice were identified through an extensive literature review. The study gathered survey data via thirty three (33) questionnaires that were distributed to hotels ranging from three to five-star hotels in Klang Valley and Ipoh and involved three face-to-face interviews. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between maintenance factors and the satisfaction level of guests. The results revealed that three factors were significantly correlated with the overall guests’ satisfaction. The perception of interviewees regarding the factors affecting maintenance practice further validates the survey findings. This paper implies the importance of maintenance operations to improve guests’ satisfaction as well as identifying factors that lead to positive bias toward effective hotel maintenance management.

Critical Factors Influencing Bid Mark-up Decision in Public Street Project – A Review

Huzairi Zainul Azlan — 2024-01-01

Deciding a bid price with an appropriate mark-up added to the estimated project cost is essential for the contractors' business survival. However, the competitive environment had influenced contractors to offer the lowest bid price, leading to the submission of unrealistically low prices to win bids. This practice can impact disputes and adversarial relationships between parties during construction and provide an additional risk to the project delay, cost overrun, quality compromise and failure to complete the project. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an overview of the literature on critical factors influencing bid mark-up decisions in public street projects. The objectives are to identify methods and tools, including the critical factors in determining the contractors' bid mark-up decision. The approach is based on analysing pertinent publications on the theme. The top five (5) ranked factors influencing contractors' decision on bid mark-up size can be found in the literature: the number of bidders, the competitiveness of other bidders, relationship and experience with clients, experience on similar projects and project size. Besides that, the determination of mark-up size is based on experience, intuition, past bidding results, past bidding patterns of competitors, the client's tender estimate, the client's record, and financial ability.

The Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Heritage Tourism in Malaysia: A Review

Nur Nazihah Kamarul Zafik — 2024-01-01

Over the past several decades, the tourism industry centered on cultural sites has evolved into one of the most active and rapidly increasing economic sectors across the globe. This is especially true in countries that are home to a large number of heritage monuments. According to reports provided by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, the cultural tourism industry contributed 551 million Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) to the country's economy over the course of the preceding three (3) years prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. In addition, more than seventeen (17) million individuals participated in cultural tourism events during that period. However, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic happened, the tourism heritage business in Malaysia has undergone a big economic collapse economically. As a result, the earnings of a great number of individuals have suffered as a result of this. This article presents a brief investigation of how the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted Malaysia's heritage tourism industry by doing a thorough evaluation of existing studies and statistics from the local government and offering an analysis of the findings. According to the findings of this study, the revenue generated by the heritage tourism industry in Malaysia dropped by an amount equivalent to 50% in the year 2020 compared to the previous year. In addition, there was a decline of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) jobs in sectors of the economy that are directly connected to tourism. It is common knowledge that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused enormous losses for the economy of the country; despite this, the findings of this study shed light on the extent to which these losses damage the economic viability of the heritage tourism sector.

The Relationship of Urban Farming with Horticultural Therapy for Urbanites: A Systematic Review

Nurul Raihana Ramzi — 2024-01-01

Urbanisation has increased stress levels, which has resulted in social issues that are expected to worsen in the future. Under these circumstances, it is believed that "horticultural therapy", an activity with diverse plant life, is very helpful in reducing physical and mental stress. Meanwhile the term “urban farming” in this context refers to the expansion of agricultural products inside of cities which increases options for people to access healthy and fresh food. Thus, believed to improve people's health and well-being by fostering interactions between people and plants. The relationship between urban farming and horticultural therapy to reduce urban stress is discussed in this paper, which explore the articles published in SCOPUS between year 2010 and year 2022. A systematic approach using PRISMA software was used to addresses data identification, evaluation, exclusion, and inclusion. Results showed the effects of horticultural therapy with urban farming elements were associated with more than one (1) horticultural therapy interaction, where a nature-based element was a potential source of viable and significant outcomes. Hence, this exploration emphasised the value of fostering horticulture therapy connections with urban farming. This review formulated the preliminary conceptual framework of the relationship of urban farming and horticultural therapy to reduce urban stress. It shows a constructive interaction between urban farming and horticultural therapy as the potential constructs to reduce urban stress (improves mental and physical health). This conceptual framework will be used as the basis for further research undertaking.

Evaluating Bus Transit System for Efficient Last Mile Transportation in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam

Andi Andi — 2024-01-01

As the leading example in sustainable transportation, universities should have an optimal and precedent system. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) campus provides bus transportation for students. However, with the vast coverage of the campus area, the bus stops should be distributed evenly. This research aims to evaluate the bus stop position to find the optimal last mile distance concerning the principle of Universal Design, precisely the aspect of low physical effort. This research uses the method of space syntax to analyse the spatial arrangement of urban environments, including transportation systems. It is based on the idea that the spatial structure of an environment affects its usability and accessibility and that the arrangement of elements can be optimised to improve accessibility and reduce physical effort. As a result, this research finds that UiTM's current bus stop distribution needs to be improved. It should have filled the demand for several spots, such as dormitories, sports centers, and faculties. Adding bus stops or bus volume is the appropriate solution to this finding, considering the growth of student numbers and the upcoming LRT station development. This research has proven a new depth perspective by combining topologic, angular, and metric logic. The findings of this research are beneficial in planning bus stops that carefully consider the universal design for all users wherever they live and work.

Covid-19: Challenges on Undergraduate Research Students to an Online Learning Mode

Nur Mardhiyah Aziz — 2024-01-01

The profound impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects people's health, work, lives, and how people learn. The switch from the current physical learning to a new system poses several challenges. This research focuses on identifying the challenges faced by the students in adapting to an online learning mode and how these challenges impacted the completion of their dissertations. An initial list of the challenges faced by students in completing the dissertation was identified from the literature review. This list was followed by developing a questionnaire survey distributed to thirty-seven (37) Quantity Surveying students who registered for the dissertation subject in semester two (2), session 2020/2021. The data obtained were analysed descriptively. Results show that the primary concern is not about having a suitable device to be used during the learning process but more on the other factors such as the inability to access the right software for data analysis, difficulty in collecting the data due to the movement restriction, a quiet place to study, stable internet connection, difficulty to stay focused and motivated to do the research, time management, stress and did not know where to go for help. The implications of the findings imply that the university should take necessary action based on the identified challenges in reducing the effects on the students.

Mangrove Dynamics Evaluation at Matang Mangrove Forest Reserved by Multi-temporal Satellite Imageries

Nurul Asyikin Ibharim — 2024-01-01

Mangrove ecosystems support a wide range of terrestrial and marine organisms by offering sustenance, reproductive habitats, and nurturing environments. The Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR), spanning over 40,000 ha, poses challenges in effectively managing and evaluating the entire area. Hence, remote sensing techniques are employed to effectively monitor and map the temporal fluctuations of land use and land cover occurring within mangrove forest areas. In this study, dynamics over nine (9) years (2011 to 2020) of the mangrove ecosystem were evaluated using RapidEye 2011 and Landsat 8 (OLI) 2020 satellite imageries. Change detection was implemented using pixel-by-pixel modelling analysis. The present study revealed the conversion of mangrove area to waterbody at 4625.1 ha (16.7%), dryland forest at 1886.1 ha (6.8%), and oil palm plantations at 186.9 ha (0.7%). The area conversion was attributed to erosion, logging operations, the establishment of aquaculture facilities, and agricultural practices. Hence, the acquisition of data pertaining to the present condition of mangrove forest species, as well as the temporal fluctuations in the study area, holds significant importance for all stakeholders involved in the preservation of this ecosystem.

A Review of Current Issues in Industrialised Building System (IBS) for Construction Projects

Mohd Reeza Yusof — 2024-01-01

In Malaysia, the concept of prefabrication is known as Industrialised Building System (IBS). In terms of cost, time, productivity, and quality, IBS is certainly beneficial based on previous local and international research. As part of Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), CIDB's Construction 4.0 Strategic Plan 2020-2025, the Malaysian construction industry is being urged to employ innovative construction techniques. These initiatives illustrate the Malaysian government's commitment to addressing the IBS agenda. Even though numerous things have been done to enhance the IBS adoption in Malaysia, various issues have arisen to bring about delays, disputes, miscommunications, and payment issues affecting the IBS players. Thus, the primary purpose of this research is to identify current issues and assist policymakers and IBS players in mitigating those issues. The literature review was the first phase of the research, with the secondary data derived from relevant books, journals, articles, theses, dissertations, conference proceedings and reports. The second phase involved the collection of primary data, wherein the information was collected through a preliminary study. The research findings showed that IBS construction still faces challenges and issues when adopted by the industry, where four (4) out of five (5) interviewees stated that the primary integration issues are teamwork or collaboration and procurement. This paper aims to present a literature review and preliminary survey findings related to establishing pertinent integration issues and challenges.

Green Practice: An Empirical Investigation on The Interiors of Healthy Restaurants in Penang

Shi Ying Chua — 2024-01-01

Green practices are typically categorised into four (4) areas: food and beverage, service, management, and the environment. The implementation of green practices, particularly those emphasising green interior design, however, is still in its infancy state and remains scarce. This study delves into the realm of green practices within the context of healthy restaurants, with two (2) primary objectives. First, to understand the interior design rationale of healthy restaurants in Penang, and second, to explore the perception of restaurateurs regarding the implementation of green practices for the interiors of their respective healthy restaurant. To gather primary data, the study conducted semi-structured, key informant interviews with restaurateurs in Penang, Malaysia, who met specific criteria which include the adoption of food-focused green practices, the presence of aesthetically pleasing interior designs, and the given positive reviews for both food quality and restaurant ambiance. The findings revealed that these restaurant owners effectively conveyed their concepts through their interior designs, using natural materials like wood, cement, and indoor plants. While they demonstrated awareness of environmental sustainability and health concerns, their understanding of green practices was somewhat basic. They were more focused on applying green practices to food and beverages than on creating a green interior ambiance.

Keywords: green practice, healthy restaurant, interior design, restaurateurs’ perception, sustainability