Aktiviti Antropogenik dan Kesannya Terhadap Perubahan Landskap Permukaan: Satu Kajian Observasi di Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Anthropogenic Activities and Their Effects on Surface Landscape: An Observation Study in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

Urbanization process does not only involve population increase, but also causes many changes to the physical environment. Urban atmosphere experienced changes due to anthropogenic activities, which changed ground surfaces from areas covered with vegetation to those covered by impervious surfaces. This resulted in heat being stored in the ground during the day released to the atmosphere during the night producing urban heat island. Anthropogenic activities include construction, industrial activities, infrastructure development, institutional development and other activities. Urban atmospheric elements such as temperature, relative humidity and wind speed experience changes as a result of anthropogenic activities. This study conducted observations on the earth’s surface having anthropogenic activities and was carried out in Ipoh, Perak to identify areas with such activities. Observations were done visually and with the aid of GPS (Global Positioning System) involving downtown area of Central Market, Ipoh and extending to its suburbs. The study found that the highly developed areas are areas which area close to the surburbs such as Pengkalan, Lahat, Meru Raya, Chemor, Blitar and Simpang Pulai due to the increasingly saturated downtown area that can be developed and the lack of open areas. Areas with water bodies such as mines and marshes were also developed. Findings of this study are important in providing field evidences on the huge anthropogenic activities can eventually affect urban climate if not done in a sustainable manner.