Cities around the world have been hit by the COVID-19 crisis. The worst consequences of the pandemic are closely related to urban areas. Many studies investigated the impact of COVID-19 on people but there are few studies that have investigated the satisfaction level of university students during the COVID-19 lockdown at the neighborhood level. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the satisfaction of university students at the neighborhood level during the COVID-19 lockdown and investigate the experience of online education during that period—if they received any. An online survey was conducted involving university students of different countries, and a total of 427 responses (n = 427) were received and analyzed using the CHAID model. Results show that comfort at residences during the COVID-19 lockdown was affected by the neighborhood environment (viz., greenery, pleasant views, independent housing with gardening facilities), transportation (i.e., saving 1–2 commuting hours on a daily basis and safety from traffic hazards), and the provision of online education (i.e., effectiveness, such as traditional methods of education and the opportunity to connect with field experts). Thus, it can be concluded that providing green neighborhoods, detached or terraced houses (townhouses) with visual connection, and gardening facilities for the residents should be encouraged in the future because these types of neighborhoods are not only comfortable in ordinary situations but also provide comfort during critical periods such as COVID-19 lockdowns. It can also be concluded that a hybrid style of education should be encouraged for universities, as it can save travel time, provide safety from traffic, and provide more opportunities to become connected with international experts through online guest lectures, seminars, and workshops.
25 February 2014 in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
A large number of local towns with compare to another type of town in Malaysia notifying the variety which required further identification to highlight a standard in planning on this town category. Hence, this paper aims to define the basic criteria for street network of Malaysia's local town. Pasir Puteh, Baling, Rembau and Pontian were selected based on the diversity of the street network structure develop from beginning to the modern era. The towns were mapped using land use data. This study employed comparative analysis to assess similarity and differences on the principles and term of street network system. The finding suggests that local towns founded before independence retain the historical value of the street system built by the colonizer and new zone of local town is to serve the community rather than the administration. Thus, the research on how street network in local town influence vehicle or pedestrian movement is recommended.
26 September 2018 in International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability
From an origin point to a destination point, good wayfinding process requires familiar recognition on the street environment. However, the unclear reasons of identifying street features to determine a route to the destination influences a pedestrian to select the wrong turn, walk in longer distance, and lost his direction. This paper aims to identify the factors that influence pedestrian familiarity, familiar or unfamiliar, in people wayfinding. Two hundred questionnaires were collected in Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia. Quotations from 30 interviews were used to triangulate the findings. Factor analysis available in IBM SPSS version 21 was used in exploring the familiarity factors for wayfinding. The finding suggests three factors influenced pedestrian to familiar with the street environment, which the factors are characteristic, attraction, and interest of street features. While, the duplication design of street features, error in defining the position of street features and form similarity of street features influence pedestrian to become unfamiliar with the street environment. This paper implies that the physical form of street features gives impact to pedestrian familiarity. Consideration of the three factors that influence pedestrian to familiar with the environment can improve how pedestrian experience in street network especially wayfinding.
The benefits of stingless bee honey for health found in various studies increase the demand for these apiculture activities to grow. However, the production of stingless bee honey requires specific garden design considerations according to the species’ nature and behaviour. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the design of a stingless bee garden by three stingless bee honey entrepreneurs in Kelantan, Malaysia for urban farming consideration. Three stingless bee gardens were selected based on their establishment in producing stingless bee honey for business, namely, (i) RTF Kelulut Garden, (ii) Meloris Kelulut Garden, and (iii) Husna Kelulut Garden. This research employed the mapping method, image capture to collect information on spatial arrangement, hive design, and plant identification for the commercial stingless bee garden. Data were analyzed using comparative analysis to define the significant considerations as well as the recommendation for better garden design. The finding suggests that there are three design layouts for the stingless bee garden which are a covered setting, a natural setting, and a mixed setting. Mix setting becomes the recommended setting suitable in tropical countries because of rainy and hot seasons. This study implies that an understanding of stingless bee garden design assists entrepreneurs in increasing the productivity and quality of stingless bee honey.