GEOGRAFI

The Challenges of Implementing Urban Renewal Initiatives. Case Study: Darul Hana, Kuching, Sarawak

Suljirina Lucas, Siti Mazwin Kamaruddin — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this study is to highlight the challenges of sustainable urban renewal and redevelopment project faced by key stakeholders and project implementers based on a case study i.e. the Darul Hana Redevelopment Program in Kuching, Sarawak. Urban renewal in developing country often involves redevelopment of congested and unplanned settlements or dilapidated brownfield areas into a liveable, vibrant, sustainable, neighbourhood and new urban centres. This is fundamental and equally complex approach to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life of the people. The method involves interviewing key experts i.e. officials from Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak, Land and Survey Department, Land Custody and Development Authority and Private Consultant. Transcriptions of the in-depth interviews of the key informants are thematically analysed. The key findings reveal that improving the quality of life, sustainable environment, spur economic growth for the benefit of the impacted population through urban renewal or redevelopment is a complex process. The core elements of sustainable development are the areas that require political will, governance, administrative and governance require reforms; provision of infrastructure, facilities and heritage preservation; regulations and guidelines need to be improved; and stakeholder and public participation in planning must be intensified.

The influence of the effectiveness of public transport on the well-being mobility of the population: A literature review

Rima Abdul Rahman, Harifah Mohd Noor, Ubong Imang, Oliver Valentine Eboy — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mobility well-being refers to an individual's ability to travel freely and safely in an unobstructed environment. Effective and inclusive mobility plays an important role in improving the well-being of the population to access basic social facilities easily and effectively. Therefore, efficient and effective public transport is important in improving the well-being of human mobility. This study is to discuss how the effectiveness of public transport can affect the well-being of user mobility. This study uses a database from the internet, namely 6 articles from Scopus, 15 articles from science direct, and 17 articles from google scholar to select articles by including keywords such as 'mobility well-being' and 'public transport effectiveness'. Thematic analysis is used in this study to classify the factors of public transport effectiveness that affect the well-being of users' mobility. The findings show that there are three main factors in measuring the effectiveness of public transport, namely accessibility, reliability, and safety. The effectiveness of public transport affects the well-being of population mobility from the aspect of easy access to public facilities, reducing air pollution that adversely affects individual travel, reducing road congestion, and providing psychological health while traveling. Therefore, by improving the effectiveness of public transport, residents can achieve a happier journey. This study has implications for local authorities, urban planners, and infrastructure developers in formulating more productive policies aimed at enhancing public transportation effectiveness.

Movement of Domestic Tourist in Malaysia in 2010

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Malaysia is a one of the countries that was awarded with various natural attractions. The variety of race also built colorful culture that always offered variety prospects to tourists. Tourism industry in this country has gained attention as one of the main sectors in generating income. Therefore, many strategies have been planned and implemented to promote Malaysia as one of the main tourist hubs in the world. Tourism involving people movement through time and space, tourist experience in some locations is different and their consumption influenced by the pattern of movement. Pattern and trend of tourist movement influenced by various factors, and it was individualistic whether for domestic tourist or international tourist. Understand how tourist move through time and space is important to be implemented for infrastructure and transportation development, product development, destination and new attraction planning and it also important for management studies impact to social, environment and culture that caused by tourism sector. Using domestic tourist data from 2010 in Malaysia, the objective of this paper is to identify the pattern and trends of domestic tourist movement using GIS applications. In addition, this paper also aims to examine the significance of the destination choices made by the tourists.

ESD-SDGs in Teaching among Geography Teachers

Mohd Zaki Said, Nor Asniza Ishak, Mohammad Zohir Ahmad @ Shaari — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an important agenda in schools towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to achieve UNESCO's 2030 Agenda. Both conceptual frameworks, ESD-SDGs are implemented in pedagogic activities and important to the achievement of the SDGs. The purpose of this study is to measure ESD-SDG concept in teaching, among Geography teachers. A quantitative study was conducted involving 252 samples from 350 Geography teachers in Penang through a survey method. The findings based on mean score showed as “often”carried out by Geography teachers in term of “experiential-learning (active) approach” (M=3.95, SD=0.809), “real-world learning approach” (M=3.40, SD=1.065) and “critical-problem solving learning approach” (M=3.53, SD=1.011). Geography teachers implemented the “experiential-learning (active) approach” in teaching by “Emphasis on sustainable living”, “Cultivate the value of appreciating all life and nature” and “Spread the ideals of harmony, peace, and respect for one another". Furthermore, teachers choose “sometime” in implementing the global citizenship project based on the “Real-world learning approach”. As a worldwide need to teach and promote students about sustainable development (SD) in line with SDG4.7, the findings of the study show that the pedagogical approach to sustainable development towards the implementation of the ESD-SDGs concept is insufficient and needs to be improved especially students-centered learning (SCL) in the teaching approach.

Management of E-Waste in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: A Study on Stakeholder Engagement Using an Ecological Approach

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

E-waste (electrical and electronic waste) is a significant environmental concern, both now and in the future, as it is the most widely produced solid waste worldwide. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the e-waste produced (17%) is officially collected and recycled. This is concerning because most electronic equipment contains toxic substances, such as lead and mercury, which can be very dangerous if released into the environment. To address this issue, it is important to involve all stakeholders in the e-waste recycling program. Every stakeholder has an important role to play in ensuring that the program is effective. A study was conducted in the city of Kota Kinabalu to identify the roles and issues faced by stakeholders in e-waste recycling activities. The research involved representatives from the population, government agencies, NGOs and private entities. The data was collected using an interview guide form, and the results were categorized into two themes: the roles and issues faced by each stakeholder. An ecological conceptual framework has been used to identify the linkages between all stakeholders involved in the issue of e-waste recycling. In general, the success of the e-waste recycling programme depends mainly on the involvement of all stakeholders. However, there are several obstacles to such involvement, including unclear rules for private entities by government agencies, lack of infrastructure for residents, and inconsistencies in programs by NGOs. Therefore, it is important to address these research findings to ensure progress in the e-waste recycling program. The issues identified in the study must be addressed, as they have a significant impact on the success of the programme.

Parental Involvement in Child Education Post Covid-19 from a Geographical Perpectives

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Parental involvement very important in the child's academic achievement. The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the education system, resulting in parents needing to be more responsible for their children's education. Parents need to give high commitment and support to their child's education such as assisting their children's learning at home, interacting with class teachers, and attending school programs. However, variations in parental living conditions can influence their ability to participate actively in their children's academic pursuits Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between parents and eight geographical factors, namely, house size, population size, district’s size, house location, school location, subdistrict’s location, land use, and distance from home to school. The study involved 400 parents who had children in primary schools in Kuala Langat district. Data is collected quantitatively using questionnaires and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 software. The Chi-Squared test is carried out to determine the relationship of parental involvement with geographical factors. The findings found that there was a significant relationship between parents' involvement with house size, population size, subdistrict’s size, location of the house, school location, subdistrict’s location, land use, and distance from house to school. Therefore, the research is projected to direct stakeholders towards the formulation of education policies that are grounded in geographical considerations for the future.

Identification of Firefly Population Areas along Sepetang River Using the Buffer Method

Noor Fazeera Ahmad Fuzi, Azimah Abd Rahman — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study identifies firefly population areas along the Sepetang River using Geographic Information System (GIS) buffer analysis. The focus is on Pteroptyx tener, which thrives in mangrove ecosystems, especially around Sonneratia caseolaris (Berembang trees). Field data were collected over six months from ten stations along the river to analyze firefly abundance concerning surrounding land use and vegetation types. Buffer zones of 50, 100, and 150 meters were applied to assess the impact of environmental factors and human activities on firefly populations. The results revealed that Station 6 had the highest firefly concentration, attributed to its dense Berembang tree cover. These findings emphasize the significance of mangrove conservation for sustaining firefly habitats. This research highlights the effective use of GIS in ecological conservation and underscores the need for protective buffer zones to mitigate the impacts of urbanization on firefly populations.

Global Citizenship Education Elements in Geography Subject in Malaysia

Mohammad Zohir Ahmad — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper discusses Global Citizenship Education (GCED) in the geography curriculum of junior high schools in Malaysia. The purpose is to examine the extent to which GCED elements are emphasized in the secondary school geography curriculum. Topics in the syllabus that involve GCED elements are well known. However, perhaps this do not survey implementation at the school level. The study was conducted qualitatively by analyzing existing documents such as Curriculum and Assessment Standard Document (DSKP) and textbooks used by schools. The findings of the study show that there are elements of GCED in the existing geography curriculum and have been applied through direct and indirect approaches. It is in line with the Cross Curriculum Elements named as Global Sustainability and Environmental Sustainability related to Global Citizenship. With GCED elements in the existing curriculum, teachers are expected to apply GCED elements as best as possible inside and outside the classroom. Geography teachers need to be trained to master GCED so that they can identify topics that have GCED elements and can be implemented in teaching and learning either through a direct or insertion approach.

The Quality of School Bus Services for Students in the City of Alor Setar and the Town of Jitra, Kedah Darul Aman

Siti Aimuni Abu Hassan, Mazdi Marzuki — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to identify the quality of school bus services in the city of Alor Setar and the city of Jitra, Kedah based on six criteria: safety, availability/time, cost, comfort, physical condition, and convenience. The study employed a quantitative approach and a questionnaire survey design. The respondents consisted of 62 students of SMK Tengku Laksamana, Alor Setar, and 34 students of SMK Tanjung Pauh, Jitra, who used the school bus service. We conducted descriptive analysis (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential analysis (Chi-Square test) to identify differences in service quality between the two schools. A study showed that SMK Tengku Laksamana has better service quality than SMK Tanjung Pauh in all six areas: safety (4.20), availability/time (4.27), cost (4.25), comfort (4.14), physical (4.46), and convenience (3.77). The safety score was 3.27, availability/time (2.92), cost (3.19), comfort (2.99), physical (3.55), and convenience (3.31). The Chi-Square Test found that there was no significant difference for safety criteria between the two schools (p > 0.05). However, other criteria such as time availability, cost, comfort, physicality, and convenience show significant differences (p < 0.05), which indicates that there is a difference in the quality of school bus services in Alor Setar and Jitra. In conclusion, the quality of school bus service at SMK Tengku Laksamana is better than at SMK Tanjung Pauh. This study recommends enhancing the school bus service at SMK Tanjung Pauh, particularly in areas such as physical condition, convenience, cost, and comfort. Authorities and school bus service managers need to consider this finding in order to improve service quality and increase user satisfaction.

Progress of Research on Volcanic-Geomorphology in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Literature Review

Raisya Arzety Olivia, Arif Ashari, Muhamad Ervin — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Southeast Asia, with its large number of volcanoes, wide distribution, and high occupancy and population growth in volcanic environments, has a high potential to emerge as one of the world's centres for volcanic geomorphology studies. In this article, we present information on the progress and trends of volcanic-geomorphology research topics in Southeast Asia. This article is a systematic literature review organized by the PRISMA approach. Search keywords were determined using the PICO method. The documents reviewed were obtained from the Scopus database, with the criteria of research articles published in journals or conference proceedings, English language, and territory/area limited to Southeast Asia. A total of 214 documents were collected with these keywords and criteria. Of these, 53 articles were selected through the extraction process and continued with the review. The findings of this study show that studies on volcanic geomorphology in Southeast Asia are relatively few, even though studies on volcanoes themselves have been conducted from various perspectives. Volcanic geomorphology studies indexed in the Scopus database were conducted from 1963 to 2024. The two most discussed topics are genesis/landform and geomorphological processes that occur in landforms, while the other topics that are relatively little discussed are materials and the environment. Implementing other methods like remote sensing, geophysics, and environment often supports geomorphological survey and analysis methods.

Cities in Bloom: Navigating the Journey of Urbanization in Malaysia Towards Sustainable Futures

Azli Abdullah, Mohd Amirul Mahamud — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Malaysia has become one of the most urbanized countries in Southeast Asia over the past few decades. This rapid urbanization has changed the social, economic, and environmental landscapes due to several factors such as population growth, economic development, and rural-urban migration. Therefore, this paper explores the evolving landscape of urbanization in Malaysia and emphasizes the urgent need for effective urban design and planning strategies to tackle the challenges of rapid growth. This study employed content analysis to examine established urban design theories from influential thinkers like Kevin Lynch, Jane Jacobs, Daniel Burnham, Le Corbusier, Janette Sadik-Khan, and Nabeel Hamdi to uncover valuable insights for enhancing urban environments. This method was selected because of its ability to systematically interpret textual data within its context. Key themes include the importance of creating mixed-use neighborhoods, designing pedestrian-friendly spaces, engaging communities, and promoting sustainable practices. With urban populations projected to reach approximately 75% of the total population by 2024, this study emphasizes the necessity for collaboration among policymakers, urban planners, and community members. By adopting a holistic approach to urban planning, Malaysia can build vibrant and resilient cities that balance growth with sustainability and reflect the unique identities of its local communities.

The Impact of Accessibility and Nuisance on Neighbourhood Satisfaction near Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) MRT Line

Mohd Faris Dziauddin, Mohmadisa Hashim, Zafirah Al Sadat Zyed, Hanifah Mahat — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The presence of urban rail transit can impact residents both positively and negatively, especially those who live within walking distance to this infrastructure. Positive MRT externalities such as improved accessibility from home to work and other desirable destinations may be highly valued by residents, while negative externalities such as noise and visual obstruction can be perceived as highly undesirable and, in extreme cases, lead residents to move. Hence, this study aims to determine neighbourhood satisfaction among residents living near the SBK MRT Line. In this study, multivariate regression analysis was used as an analytical tool to model the satisfaction of residents living near the SBK MRT Line. The dependent variable is perceived neighbourhood satisfaction. Individuals were surveyed on five propositions related to neighbourhood and housing satisfaction. The results suggest that the perceived neighbourhood satisfaction of residents living near the SBK MRT line is mixed. As expected, the perceived effect of improved accessibility appears to have a statistically significant influence on neighbourhood satisfaction. Factors such as satisfaction with the short walk to the nearest MRT station and improved accessibility to work by MRT have a direct effect on neighbourhood satisfaction. In addition, seven factors or variables were used to estimate the impact of MRT line nuisance on neighbourhood satisfaction. The results suggest that two factors related to perceived noise play an important role in determining neighbourhood satisfaction. More specifically, the MRT noise that can be heard at home and concern about the health effects of noise are statistically significant; both negatively influence neighbourhood satisfaction. Interestingly, however, factors related to interest in the MRT or attitudes towards riding it to work and other destinations have no statistical effect on neighbourhood satisfaction, except a perceived positive relationship between the presence of an MRT line and higher property prices. In addition, two factors used to indicate environmental characteristics – satisfaction with crime levels and satisfaction with green space – appear to have a strong positive effect on neighbourhood satisfaction. Finally, two factors used to describe respondents' demographic characteristics, married and homeowner, appear to be important factors explaining neighbourhood satisfaction. From a policy perspective, the findings from this study provide insights into the accessibility gains and other residential characteristics – such as neighbourhood aesthetics and location assets – that could compensate for or at least mitigate perceived nuisances related to MRT proximity. It also provides insights into groups of people and types of areas that may require a tailored approach or additional attention because of greater MRT nuisance perceptions.