Mazlina Mansor

APPRECIATION OF VERTICAL GREENERY IN A CITY AS PUBLIC

Vertical greenery (VG) is greenery where plants can be grown on, up, or against internal or external walls of buildings or as freestanding structures. Whereas, public art (PA) is a structure or form that contains an artistic expression. It is placed in public spaces. VG has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, and this offers an opportunity to integrate it as a part of public art in cities. A place with a combination of art and aesthetics with environmental principles would become a new urban art that will help extend VG’s survivability and human security in the future. Most research in VG focuses on an environmental and technical aspect that consider its benefits, technical issues, feasibility, acoustic impact, sustainability, system and maintenance. On the other hand, creative methods to approach VG are seldom researched upon especially in Malaysia. Hence, this study explores this possibility from the public’s perspectives. The objectives were to identify public’s familiarity and values of VG as PA, and VG attributes to be as a PA. An online survey was used to obtain public’s perspectives on the integration of VG as PA. The target respondents were the public, whereby the link to the survey was sent out to 400 potential respondents. The survey obtained 117 responses, and they were gathered automatically in an Excel spreadsheet. The data were converted into the themes to generate results. Findings yield positive outcomes in terms of the public’s familiarity of the terminologies (i.e. VG and PA), people’s awareness of VG in an urban environment, and the possibilities and potentials of VG to become a PA in Malaysian cities. It means that VG has extended beyond the environmental benefits to also become an art form for people in a city. Keyword: Vertical greenery, public art, integration, sustainability Date Received: 30 April 2016 Date of Acceptance: 30 October 2016 Mazlina Mansor, Khalilah Zakariya, Nor Zalina Harun, & Nur Izzah Abu Bakar Appreciation of Vertical Greenery in A City as Public Art

A Review on the Values of the Islamic Garden in Response to a Garden Design in Malaysia

This chapter aims to investigate the physical characteristics of the Islamic garden and discover the values which can be adapted to a garden design in Malaysia. The chapter reviews several significant aspects for developing an understanding of the Islamic garden and its characteristics. There are two methods embedded in the chapter, namely, document analysis and semi-structured interviews. The outcome of the chapter highlights the importance of strengthening an understanding of the Islamic garden as a key to protecting and perpetuating the legacy of the Muslim civilisation.

THE BENEFITS OF RIVER INDICATORS TO ASSESS THE ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF IIUM CAMPUS

The concept of sustainable campus has emerged from the social, economic and environmental impacts due to anthropogenic activities around the world. One of the initiatives of sustainable campus is the application of ecological indicators. The indicators provide information about the current condition and early warning on the possible risks of environmental impacts to the campus environment. However, lack of understanding on the values of natural ecosystem in campus and the lack of proper planning has led to the depletion of natural ecosystem. The study seeks to examine river degradation in IIUM campus and to explore the benefits of river indicators towards achieving IIUM as an ecologically sustainable campus. Data were gathered using a qualitative approach involving three methods of data collection namely: (i) document analysis, (ii) semi-structured interview and (iii) site inventory. The finding reveals that the application of river channel morphology indicators is an important basis for physical planning in making a campus ecologically sustainable. Further analysis suggests that the suitable indicators to assess the condition of IIUM River are the river channel morphology indicators such as width, depth, channel pattern and slope ratio. The process of selecting the indicators are carried out based on six criteria of good indicators discussed in this study. The study concluded that the application of river channel morphology indicators is a critical process in physical planning of a sustainable campus as it contributes in preventing the loss of natural ecosystem and it offers a credible basis for creating a conducive place for campus residents. Keyword: IIUM campus, sustainable, ecological indicator, river Date Received: 30 April 2016 Date of Acceptance: 30 October 2016 Nor Zalina Harun, Mazlina Mansor, & Safiah Abu Noh The Benefits of River Indicators to Assess the Ecological Status of IIUM Campus

Design factors contributing to active urban squares in Malaysia

Urban squares are a type of public open space that cater for various activities for the public, such as for events and leisure. The activities in the square are not only contributed by annual events and celebrations, but also daily and weekly informal activities of visitors and tourists. Some squares even become landmarks and focal points of the city. While the design of urban squares has been studied in depth by researchers in other countries, however, local studies that interrogate how urban squares are occupied in Malaysia are still scarce. This research examines three prominent urban squares, which are Dataran Putra, Dataran Merdeka and Dataran Pahlawan, to explore and outline the key criteria that contribute to the activities of the squares. The research objectives are: 1) To identify the spaces, design elements, structures and surrounding area; 2) To map the activities and flow of users throughout the day; and 3) To synthesize the key findings to formulate design strategies for urban squares in Malaysia. The methods adopted for this research comprise of conducting site inventory and photographic documentation, observation and mapping, and semi-structured interviews with 150 visitors. The analysis reveals that there are five (5) key criteria that contribute to an active urban square. The findings from this research are useful for Landscape Architects and Urban Designers in planning and designing urban squares in Malaysia, or upgrading underutilized urban squares. This research concludes that an active and successful urban square can contribute to the city’s livability and quality of life for its people. In order to remain active and successful, urban square designs in Malaysia should meet the needs of the local climatic and socio-cultural factors.

The Characteristics of the Islamic Garden: Lessons for an Islamic Garden Concept in Malaysia

A garden is an outdoor space designed for the purpose of relaxation and recreation. Meanwhile, an Islamic garden is known as a garden that arise during the peak of Muslim civilisation. The main purpose of this garden is to solely remember the oneness of God as He is the creator of the universe. However, throughout the centuries, the values of the Islamic garden has started to be overlooked. This is due to the recent movement as a modern and contemporary garden design are started to be embedded into a garden design. Thus, this has led to the decreasing number of an Islamic garden design being adapted into a garden design. Hence, to bring back the values of the Islamic garden, this research is conducted as to investigate the physical characteristics of the Islamic garden, in order to discover the appropriate elements to be adapted in a garden design, especially in Malaysia. Two objectives are outlined for this research, which are to identify the physical characteristic of the Islamic garden based on three prominent gardens, the Persian garden, Andalusian garden and Mughal garden. The second objective is to evaluate the relevance of adopting the Islamic garden concept for a garden design in Malaysia. Two types of methods are employed in this research, namely the document analysis and site studies that are conducted at three gardens in Andalusia, Spain. The finding of this research covers on the reviews of the Islamic garden, the identification of the physical characteristic of the Islamic garden and finally, the relevance of adopting the Islamic garden concept in Malaysia. This study highlights the importance to understand and strengthen the knowledge on the values of the Islamic garden as it is the key to protecting and continuing the legacy of the Muslim civilisation. Keywords: Garden; Islamic garden; garden design; physical characteristics.

DISPARATINGTHE MEANING OF PUBLIC PLACE OF A HISTORIC CITY.

Nor Zalina Harun. Previous researches have made critical contributions to the understanding of the significance of place to people. This study aims to explore one spectrum of people’s place experience to reveal an understanding of place meaning as it is a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon that comprises of people’s emotional relationships to place. Another concern of the study is to identify the importance of public space in historical cities. Firstly, the paper reviews the relevant literature on place and place meaning, while disparate and integrating concepts of it are encountered through semi-structured interviews with users of public space (n=40) in Melaka (a UNESCO world listed heritage city). The study folds the meaning of one long existed public space that had undergone a series of change, which is locally known as Dataran Pahlawan. Evolved from a seaside esplanade originally known as Padang Pahlawan, the space was gradually transformed in term of functions and physical appearance. The study provided evidence on people’s experience of the place. The changes and the loss of Padang Pahlawan as a memorable public place have not weakened the place identity of the city and its place meaning. To the residents, the Dataran Pahlawan and its surrounding still contributed a panoramic experience and urban enjoyment. There are indeed elements that are commonly recognized with pleasure and care by the users, in which the study shows that the physical changes in some way modified people’s will and awareness towards urban conservation. The study also corroborates additional benefits of Dataran Pahlawan, which are obtained through the very form and nature of the city. It is suggested that the area and its surrounding convey various architectural meanings such as civic and ceremonial ground, a square, a district, a landmark and a node. It is a vision that results of mapping the meaning of the public space may determine its significance and values that contribute to the evocation of place identity in the Malaysian urban area.

“Al-Jamaal” as a concept of Islamic aesthetics: from the perspectives of religion and art

The concept of aesthetics has received a growing attention from Western scholars since the nineteenth century. Over the past centuries until today, there has been substantial research by Western scholars on various arts produced by the Muslims. However, the concept of aesthetics has captured the special attention of researchers from different fields during the past three decades. The meanings of aesthetics in Islam has long been exposed to the approach that integrates to the understanding of the opposed Islamic worldviews. In fact, many scholars attempt to incapacitate the meaning of Islamic aesthetic merely form tangible forms rather than its contents. Thus, this paper aims to explore and discuss “Al-Jamaal” an Arabic term that means “beauty” as an Islamic aesthetic concept that offers preliminary guidelines in defining Islamic aesthetics, particularly in built environment context. The two objectives of this paper are (1) To explore the meanings of aesthetics in accordance Al- Jamaal concept based on literature review, and (2) To discuss the meanings of “Al-Jamaal” concept from the perspectives of religion and art. The study is conducted through a systematic literature review on Al-Jamaal based on the Quranic perspectives and prophetic traditions, and conducting in-depth interviews with 15 key informants with religious and arts background. Based on the findings, this study establishes nine parameters of the Al-Jamaal concept of Islamic aesthetics, which are spiritual, application, the manner of execution, sense of belonging, ethics, linguistic, self-experience, knowledge and personal expression. This study concludes that “Al-Jamaal” represents a broader meanings of aesthetics in Islam

Urban children’s familiarity and feeling towards nearby nature

Outdoor spaces within the neighbourhood areas are vital in supporting social systems of children. Children become comfortable, familiar and appreciative of their surrounding environment within their home proximity. The absence of conducive spaces, especially nearby nature for children to play and socialise can impact their psychological attitudes as they become adults. Playing in nearby natural surroundings in their neighborhood is found to reduce children’s stress and improve their physical functioning. This study explores children’s familiarity and use of nearby nature. It also reveals their feeling towards the natural environment in general. It gathered data from middle childhood children (n = 63) using interview survey designed in structured and semi-structured format. The study suggests that children in the neighbourhood of Kuala Lumpur city still have some degree of freedom to play outside and that they recognize the natural environment and regularly come in contact with it. Therefore, to nurture and encourage the activities, a children-friendly neighbourhood with good accessibility is vital to increase the children’s independent mobility. This study implies that the development of outdoor spaces for children in the neighbourhood areas should have more focus on sustainability and sensitivity towards social conditions of children.