PLANNING MALAYSIA

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GREEN SPACES AND THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND (UHI) EFFECT IN GEORGE TOWN, PENANG

Cheah Wei Chee, Mohd Ismail Isa — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study investigates the influence of green space on environmental quality and its role in mitigating the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, with a specific focus on George Town, Penang. By conducting a comparative analysis of two sites- Sia Boey Archaeological Park (Site A) and Little India (Site B)- within the urban setting, the research assesses variations in the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), land surface temperature (LST), and the Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) to evaluate their respective UHI impacts. Site A, characterised by integrated green areas, shows NDVI values ranging from 0 to 0.9, indicating dense, diverse vegetation. In contrast, Site B, which lacks substantial green space, exhibits a more limited NDVI range of 0 to 0.3. The LST analysis indicates that Site A experiences a broader temperature range (36°C to 51°C) than Site B (44°C to 50°C), suggesting that shaded regions within Site A mitigate surface temperatures. Although both sites exhibit similar UTFVI values (0- 0.02), the allocation of green spaces in Site A is associated with greater carbon sequestration and lower overall surface temperatures, emphasising the role of vegetation in reducing UHI intensity. These findings underscore the potential benefits of integrating green spaces within George Town’s urban planning framework to substantially mitigate UHI effects, thereby advancing sustainable environmental management and enhancing urban climate resilience.

REVEALING THE SPACE CHALLENGES VS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN ADAPTIVE-REUSED PRESHOOLS

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The number of preschools has significantly enhanced in recent years, even though numerous preschools are housed in facilities that are not initially intended for such use. Space and indoor Air Quality (IAQ), specifically Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is regarded as a crucial element influencing the physical growth of children. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the indoor environments of the preschool located in premises that have been renovated and modified from their initial use. Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in indoor environments may adversely affect children's health and cognitive function. Preschool environments, characterised by high occupancy rates and limited ventilation, are particularly susceptible to poor air quality, which can consequently lead to respiratory issues and diminished learning performance. This study investigates the impact of spaces and ventilation strategies on CO₂ concentration levels in preschool classrooms by examining the occupants activities towards IAQ. The results demonstrated that the CO2 concentration in the classroom exceeded the recommended 1000 ppm threshold during lesson and group activities but the levels decreased during low-occupancy periods, such as breaks and outdoor activities. Factors such as room size, and occupancy density influenced the increase of CO2 concentrations. The implementation of exemplary design practices, implementation of hybrid ventilation systems, coupled with thoughtful renovation and ongoing maintenance of preschool facilities, is essential for fostering a high-quality indoor environment within classroom space.

BEYOND ACCESS: EXPLAINING THE INTENTION-BEHAVIOUR GAP IN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT USE WITHIN TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS

Naomi Nathalia, I Dewa Made Frendika Septanaya — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Despite the proximity of apartment complexes to Jabodebek Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations, ridership within Jakarta’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas remains below expectations. This study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine factors associated with Behavioural Reluctance to Use LRT among TOD apartment residents. The results show that Attitude and Subjective Norm are significantly associated with Intention, while Perceived Behavioural Control is negatively associated with Intention, contrary to the hypothesised direction. Both Intention and Perceived Behavioural Control are significantly associated with Behavioural Reluctance to Use LRT, with Perceived Behavioural Control emerging as the strongest predictor. Environmental Norm is not significantly associated with Intention. The model explains 58.3% of the variance in Intention, 49.5% in Habit, and 35.9% in Behavioural Reluctance to Use LRT. However, relationships involving Attitude, Subjective Norm, Intention, and Habit should be regarded as provisional because discriminant validity was not fully established. By contrast, the association between Perceived Behavioural Control and behavioural reluctance represents the most consistently supported relationship in the estimated model.

AN EXAMINATION OF SPATIAL FACTORS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFIGURATION ON SOCIAL VULNERABILITY IN URBAN KAMPUNG

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

An urban kampung represents a distinctive form of Indonesian urban settlement that functions as a complex socio-spatial environment. Despite its vibrancy, high density, limited public space, and infrastructural constraints contribute to latent social risks that are often underrepresented in formal crime statistics but are experienced through everyday spatial perceptions. This study examines gendered perceptions of social risk in Kampung Ketandan–Kebangsren, Surabaya, and evaluates the role of participatory mapping in capturing women’s experiential spatial knowledge. A qualitative participatory approach was employed, combining participatory mapping, semi-structured interviews, field observation, and visual documentation. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and visualized through social risk heatmaps. The findings reveal that social risk perception is gendered and intersectional. Women tend to perceive risk as interpersonal threats in spaces characterized by low visibility, inadequate lighting, and limited natural surveillance, whereas men associate risk with social conflict and conventional crime. Although only a small proportion of respondents identified high-impact, high-probability risks, these were prioritized and predominantly reported by women. This study argues that safety in urban kampung is a relational construct shaped by spatial configuration, temporal dynamics, and embodied experiences, highlighting the need for participatory and gender-sensitive planning approaches.

ASSESSMENT OF CARRYING CAPACITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY IN EAST JAVA PROVINCE

Ema Umilia, Bieby Voijant Tangahu, Ary Mazharuddin Shiddiqi — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Assessing carrying capacity and environmental capacity is essential for sustainable development, especially in regions with rapid population growth and economic expansion. East Java faces increasing pressure on biophysical resources, particularly water, requiring evaluation of the balance between environmental provision and human demand. This study assesses water resources carrying capacity (WRCC) using grid-based spatial analysis and the Simple Additive Weighting method to map water availability and demand. Carrying capacity status is determined by comparing both to identify surplus and deficit conditions. However, only 30.2% of studies include water quality parameters, even though pollutant loading is a key constraint. Research in China dominates, accounting for 95.2%, while tropical regions remain underrepresented. China (95.2%), leaving tropical regions underrepresented. The main gap is the lack of integrated WRCC models that combine machine learning with uncertainty analysis. Results show spatial disparities: some areas remain sustainable, while others exceed critical thresholds. Integrating these findings into governance is crucial to prevent resource depletion.

BUILDING SURVEYORS’ COMPETENCIES IN SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION ACROSS DEVELOPMENT PHASES: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIAN PRACTICE

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Gaps in building compliance and maintenance planning often lead to performance issues after project completion. This study examines the competencies required of building surveyors in supporting sustainable construction across development phases in Malaysia. A structured questionnaire survey was administered to construction professionals from various disciplines. The data were then analysed using the Rasch Measurement Model to establish item reliability, dimensionality and competency domains. The findings indicate that building surveyors’ competencies can be categorised into technical and non-technical domains. Technical domains related to building pathology, condition assessment, and maintenance management received strong endorsement, reflecting the increasing importance of life-cycle performance. Non-technical domains, including ethics and professionalism, communication, and analytical thinking, were also strongly emphasised as enabling effective coordination and decision-making. The study highlights that building surveyors’ roles extend beyond technical execution to encompass sustainable construction across development phases, providing practical insights for industry, professional training, and education providers in supporting integrated sustainable development in Malaysia.

PRACTICES, CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR INTEGRATING GREEN BUILDING ELEMENTS INTO HERITAGE CONSERVATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE GEORGE TOWN WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Tan Wei Ze, Izyan Yahaya — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Heritage buildings hold significant architectural, historical and cultural values, yet their conservation increasingly demands alignment with sustainability goals. This study explores the integration of green building elements within heritage conservation, focusing on George Town, Penang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five purposively selected experts with relevant professional experience in heritage conservation and green building practices. Interview data were examined using narrative analysis supporting by thematic coding. The findings identified thirteen distinct green building elements currently incorporated into conservation efforts, ten major challenges hindering their integration and nine key strategies supporting successful implementation. By providing evidence-based insights, this study contributes to policy development and industry best practices, guiding practitioners toward more environmentally responsible heritage conservation. It also highlights the need to align green interventions with conservation requirements, sustainability criteria and relevant heritage approval processes while safeguarding heritage authenticity.

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE (PFI) PROJECT DELIVERY: STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING INCOMPLETE CONTRACT IMPLICATIONS

Nur Syaimasyaza Mansor, Faraziera Mohd Raslim — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Incomplete contract (IC) is defined as a contract that fails to clearly spell out ex-ante the parties’ requirements, duties and obligations for every realised contingency and it has gaps, missing provisions, and ambiguities in its terms. Past studies have found that PFI contracts in Malaysia are incomplete and consequently caused positive and negative implications. Addressing these implications is crucial to achieving not only project efficiency but also long-term sustainability in PFI project delivery. The methodology adopted combines an intensive review of literature on IC and PFI, and two (2) rounds of Modified Delphi. A total of 55 strategies were identified for the 12 clauses deemed incomplete in PFI contracts. Some of the strategies are to ensure that both public and private representatives involved are technically knowledgeable, to develop a complete database on the service level and standard for the purpose of determining the KPI, and to provide a clear statement of needs. By mitigating the implications of incomplete contracts, these strategies contribute towards more transparent governance, efficient resource utilisation, and sustainable outcomes in future PFI projects. The findings of this research can serve as a reference for key PFI stakeholders, policy makers and contract drafters in their future endeavour in developing and managing PFI contracts that support sustainable project delivery.

BIM COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR CHINA RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

BIM delivery in railway infrastructure is shaped by dense subsystem interfaces and formal review-and-acceptance gates, which place strong demands on traceable, auditable information. However, BIM competency descriptions in the literature remain largely generic and provide limited guidance for railway-specific delivery governance and role profiling. This study investigates the BIM competencies required for railway infrastructure projects through a qualitative design using a structured interview protocol with open-ended prompts. Ten railway BIM practitioners were interviewed, and transcripts were analysed thematically; themes were developed inductively and reported using Succar’s Core-Domain-Execution layers. The findings indicate that competency is primarily judged by the ability to produce review-ready packages under controlled coordination and change, rather than by software proficiency alone. Five competency clusters were identified: data governance and traceability; integration and platform-enabled coordination; compliance and configuration discipline; model and workflow execution for deliverable production; and lifecycle readiness supported by scenario thinking and reality-capture/verification. The study proposes a preliminary railway-contextualised competency structure and links clusters to delivery nodes and verifiable artefacts to support assessment and training design.

IMPROVING SEGMENTATION PERFORMANCE AND OBJECT IDENTIFICATION IN THERMAL ROOF IMAGERY USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The segmentation performance for boundary delineation of rooftop areas and the identification of objects in thermal images is often inaccurate due to low contrast and thermal noise. Improving both boundary delineation and object identification is essential to support further analyses. Therefore, the research objective of this paper is to identify roof-level elements in thermal images and improve boundary delineation accuracy for segmentation. This research employed an experimental methodology, examining 100 thermal images from a case study done at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Thermal images were captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and subsequently processed by frame extraction, similarity-based filtering, and manual polygon-based annotation. The study uses an artificial intelligence (AI) framework to execute the analysis. The findings showed that the AI framework was able to identify roof related objects, such as solar panels, roof equipment, and roofs. The proposed Mask R-CNN model achieved a segmentation mAP (AP averaged over IoU 0.50–0.95) of 77.2%, an AP50 of 95.1%, and an AP75 of 90.2%, indicating strong segmentation performance in the present case-study setting. Compared with the benchmark studies reviewed in this paper, which reported performance levels ranging from 9.4% to 80.8% depending on the task and evaluation metric, the present study showed a markedly stronger reported segmentation result. The delineation boundary of the roof elements was also improved, leading to more accurate assessments of the roof's condition and better identification of potential maintenance needs.

A STUDY ON THE TYPES OF INTERACTION MECHANISMS BETWEEN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SPATIAL DESIGN IN THE MICRO-RENEWAL OF PUBLIC SPACES IN OLD RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES

Fujuan Feng, Nor Arbina Zainal Abidin, Zhihao Guo — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

As urban renewal in China shifts from large-scale demolition and reconstruction to small-scale and incremental micro-renewal approaches, the regeneration of public spaces in old residential communities has become a crucial issue for optimizing urban stock and promoting social sustainability. In recent years, public participation has been widely encouraged at both policy and practice levels, yet the degree of synergy between public participation and spatial design varies significantly across different projects. This study adopts the Expression–Translation–Response–Feedback (ETRF) process logic, widely taken for granted in both theoretical discussions and practical operations, as an analytical framework to examine how public demands are conveyed, translated, and responded to within design and governance processes. Based on a comparative study of six representative old residential communities in Shanghai (Hongxu, Shanbei, Xiuyuan, Sanlinyuan, Boyi, and Bosan), five types of interactive mechanisms are identified: highly collaborative, balanced collaborative, partial feedback, representative collaborative, and technology-dominated types. Furthermore, a collaboration–disruption continuum is proposed. The findings indicate that institutionalized participation channels and the depth of design translation jointly influence the level of collaboration, while social trust and feedback continuity affect the long-term viability of the mechanisms. Theoretically, this study provides an analytical path for understanding different types of interactive mechanisms; practically, it offers type-based references and optimization strategies for participatory renewal in the fields of landscape architecture and community planning.

BIOPHILIC INTERVENTIONS IN GREEN ARCHITECTURE: DESIGN PROFESSIONALS' PERCEPTIONS ON ENHANCING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING THROUGH INDOOR PLANT LANDSCAPES

Li Ang, Syarmila Hany Haron — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Indoor plant landscapes are an established strategy in biophilic design, yet their integration can reveal a divergence between aesthetic appreciation and technical implementation. Grounded in environmental psychology and the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework, this cross-sectional study examined design professionals’ perceptions of the aesthetic, functional and well-being dimensions of indoor greenery. A multi-stage sampling approach yielded 185 valid responses from design professionals across major metropolitan regions in Malaysia. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine structural associations and the moderating role of professional experience. Respondents rated aesthetics (M = 4.35) and perceived well-being (M = 4.28) more highly than physical environmental functions (M = 3.12) and integration strategies (M = 2.85). Aesthetic cognition was not significantly associated with integration strategies (β = 0.118, p = 0.150), whereas functional cognition showed a positive association (β = 0.462, p < 0.001). Professional experience had a positive moderating effect (β = 0.208, p = 0.005). These findings inform a lifecycle framework encompassing evidence-based design briefs, maintenance governance, indoor environmental quality monitoring and post-occupancy evaluation. The results concern professional perceptions and reported practices rather than measured pollutant removal, occupant health effects or energy savings.

STUDY ON THE PROTECTION STATUS, PROBLEMS AND STRATEGIES OF RELIGIOUS GARDENS IN YANGZHOU - A CASE STUDY OF DAMING TEMPLE, QIONGHUA GUAN AND PUHADING GARDEN

Wang Xiu, Syarmila Hany Haron — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Yangzhou religious gardens represent an important heritage where multi-religious culture integrates with classical gardens. However, they are confronted with conservation dilemmas due to urbanization and tourism development. To improve relevant conservation theories and provide practical references, this paper conducts a horizontal comparison by adopting methods of literature research, field investigation and case analysis, with Daming Temple, Qionghua Guan and Puhaddin Garden as case studies. The results indicate significant differences in the conservation levels among the three gardens. The study reveals that the gardens share common problems such as single funding sources, shortage of professionals, and imbalance between conservation and development, together with respective distinctive dilemmas. Accordingly, a hierarchical strategy is proposed, including classified conservation, diversified funding and talent channels, and promotion of living inheritance, so as to support the sustainable conservation of Yangzhou religious gardens and the protection of multi-religious heritage.

MICRO EVIDENCE FOR MACRO POLICY: HIDDEN BARRIERS TO AGING-IN-PLACE IN HIGH DENSITY CHINESE HOUSING ENVIRONMENT

Tianli Wang, Norazmawati Md. Sani @ Abd. Rahim — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Aging in place policy relies on community, but policy priorities often top-down and miss lived barriers in dense apartments. This study aims to identify environmental barriers that constrain older adults’ priority everyday activities in high density Chinese apartments, to inform evidence-based aging-in-place policy and priorities. This research conducted activity-based in-home assessments for 30 old adults over 60 years, with 41 activities categories in 22 high density estates, using a culturally adapted In-home occupational performance evaluation (I-HOPE), observation and unstructured interviews. In total, 226 barrier instances were coded and scored. The results indicate that digital media use, public transport access, carrying items, cleaning, and bathing were repeatedly identified as priority difficulties. Frequent barriers involved high-reach storage, digital usability, and external mobility interfaces. Many constrained activities were still self-rated as high performance, revealing hidden barriers. So, performance-based micro-evidence can refine priorities and evaluation for policy, which need focus on every day activity chains across unit, building, and urban mobility interfaces, instead of one activity or only at home.

THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF NON-MOTORIZED LANE MANAGEMENT REGULATORY TOLERANCE IN CHENGDU, CHINA

Chen Qixiang, Norazmawati Md. Sani @ Abd. Rahim — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The expansion of Non-Motorized Lanes (NML) is a cornerstone of urban sustainable development. However, spatial encroachment often undermines the practical effectiveness of NMLs. This study examines how regulatory tolerance may interact with roadside obstruction and facility design to affect the spatial integrity of NMLs in Chengdu, China. Based on field data and secondary literature, the study conducted direct effective width assessments on four pre-selected road segments. The Space Loss Index (L_s) quantifies the proportion of designated NML space that is unusable under documented obstruction conditions. Research reveals contrasting combinations of facility design, observed roadside occupation, and implementation conditions. The physically separated segment on Jianshe Road retained its delineated travel space, whereas the other cases showed varing degrees of space loss with motor vehicle stopping or parking within the Non-Motorized space. These findings suggest that physical separation can offer more reliable protection of NML than administrative controls alone. They also indicate that the effects of roadside management should be assessed together with facility design and local access needs, rather than being attributed to single enforcement factor. The study therefore proposes differentiated spatial management that combines context-sensitive regulation with physical measures to safeguard Non-Motorized users.

ENHANCING BIM MANAGER PROFICIENCY: EXPLORING COMPETENCIES AND COMPETENCE LEVEL

Farah Salwati Ibrahim, Muneera Esa, Fatin Umaira Muhammad Azian — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In effective BIM project delivery, BIM Managers' roles and responsibilities are pivotal across the project lifecycle, significantly influencing project performance. Despite this, no empirical studies have assessed BIM Manager proficiency in Malaysia's construction industry. This study addresses this gap by investigating required competencies and competence levels for BIM Managers in BIM environments. A concurrent mixed-methods approach provided comprehensive insights. Qualitative data from interviews with 8 BIM Subject Matter Experts underwent content analysis. Quantitatively, 58 BIM Managers completed a questionnaire on 8 competency sets comprising 57 items, analyzed descriptively. Triangulation enabled robust comparison, contrast, and synthesis of results. Findings classified competencies into four tiers: essential for expert level, requisite for advanced, ancillary for intermediate, and complementary for basic. Notably, 5 of 8 competency sets were deemed important at intermediate-to-expert levels, while 3 were basic-to-intermediate. This research advanced BIM Manager proficiency understanding by identifying novel competency sets and delineating competence levels. It enhances requirements for competent BIM Managers and supports developing skilled BIM talent for future industry needs.

VISITORS BEHAVIOR PATTERNS IN PRODUCING SPACE ON HISTORIC SHOPPING STREET IN TUNJUNGAN STREET CORRIDOR, SURABAYA CITY, INDONESIA

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In recent years, the pedestrian space in the Jalan Tunjungan Corridor has been massively developed by the Surabaya City government to fulfill the image as a street-oriented architecture. This development was carried out by changing the concept, form, and atmosphere along the corridor, which ultimately created different spaces at certain periods of time. This study explains the production of space in a historic pedestrian corridor by examining the interaction between visitor activities and government interventions through Lefebvre’s spatial triad. This research uses a case study method by mapping the behavior of visitors, daily workers and trader who carry out their activities in the pedestrian area of the Jalan Tunjungan corridor. The data obtained coupled with interviews conducted by purposive-convenience method sampling shows that there are differences in visitors' perspectives in producing space along the corridor. The visitor's preference for choosing an activity space is part of a lifestyle that makes this place a 'place for gathering' and 'communal activity'.

DEVELOPING A HERITAGE BUILDING REVITALISATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR COMMERCIALISATION

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Heritage buildings represent valuable cultural and economic assets that can generate long-term social and financial benefits when managed effectively. However, many heritage buildings continue to deteriorate because of neglect, high maintenance costs, limited management guidelines, and insufficient understanding of conservation practices, creating significant technical and economic uncertainty. This study aims to identify the value added generated through heritage building revitalisation by developing a management framework to support sustainable commercialisation. A qualitative research design was adopted, comprising a review of conservation contract documents for heritage shophouses and two rounds of Delphi discussions involving 10 to 15 experts to refine and validate the framework. The findings identified six key characteristics influencing commercialisation potential, namely location, historical significance, aesthetic value, architectural value, tourist attraction, and economic and social value, with location emerging as the most influential factor. The analysis further identified five interrelated management variables consisting of revitalisation scope, construction cost, maintenance, operational cost, and value appreciation. Building works accounted for the largest proportion of construction costs at 68 percent, while value appreciation was demonstrated through social, political, aesthetic, historical, cultural, and economic dimensions, including substantial improvements in rental and capital values following revitalisation. The proposed framework provides a practical decision support tool for investors and practitioners involved in heritage shophouse revitalisation by balancing heritage conservation with commercial viability while supporting the long-term preservation of cultural, historical, social, and architectural values.

BEYOND BARRIERS: MUSEUM ACCESSIBILITY IN INDONESIA THROUGH THE EYES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Museums are increasingly recognised as inclusive cultural institutions, yet accessibility remains severely limited for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in developing countries, including Indonesia. This study systematically identifies urgent issues and persistent challenges in museum accessibility through two case studies: the Jakarta History Museum (JHM) and the Fort Vredeburg Museum (FVM) in Yogyakarta. A multi-method qualitative approach was employed, combining semi-structured interviews with 25 participants, including PwD and key museum stakeholders, and Community-Based Observation (CBO) using the Inclusive Museum Appraisal Tool (IMAT) with 12 PwD representing diverse disability groups. Findings reveal pervasive, systemic inaccessibility across three accessibility attributes: communication, external elements, and internal elements. Critical barriers, such as the complete absence of sign language services (100%), inaccessible interior design (80%), inadequate facilities (76%), and the lack of accessible elevators, demand immediate improvement. External barriers significantly hinder initial entry, rendering access a fundamental challenge from the outset. The findings reveal a critical gap between global inclusive design standards and prevailing practices in Indonesian museums, emphasising the urgency of comprehensive and strategic interventions to achieve equitable and meaningful cultural participation for visitors with disabilities.

QUANTITY SURVEYORS AS ENABLERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE INTEGRATION IN THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The increasing emphasis on sustainability in the Malaysian construction industry highlights the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices as a structured approach to sustainable development. As a major contributor to Malaysia’s economic growth, the construction sector faces growing pressure to balance economic performance with ESG considerations. This study explores the evolving role of Quantity Surveyors (QSs) as enablers of ESG practices in the Malaysian construction industry. ESG indicators from the FTSE Russell ESG Scores published by Bursa Malaysia were used to examine the alignment between ESG principles and QS professional practices across construction stages. A qualitative approach was adopted through semi-structured interviews with six middle-management professionals from contractor firms. The findings reveal that QSs contribute significantly to ESG implementation through green procurement, occupational safety and health (OSH), and ethical governance. However, implementation is constrained by resistance to change, supply chain limitations, reporting challenges, project characteristics, and limited client support. The study highlights the need for stronger governance, digital solutions, incentives, standardized ESG reporting, and greater involvement of professional bodies.

PERCEIVED NEIGHBOURHOOD BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR LEISURE PURPOSES: THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Sedentary lifestyle is a persistent issue in Malaysia, contributing to the country’s rising obesity rate. Evidence throughout the years has highlighted that built and social environments are significant factors of physical activity; however, the estimation of those factors is seldom approached in Malaysia. As such, this paper examines the association between perceived neighbourhood-built environment (PNBE) and physical activity for leisure purposes (PAL) among urban Malaysian adults, moderated by neighbourhood socioeconomic status (NSES). Urban residents of higher- and lower-NSES in Johor Bahru city (n=256) were approached through stratified random sampling. The PNBE factors included were residential density, walking and cycling facilities, surrounding aesthetics, as well as safety from traffic and crime. Multi-group moderator analysis revealed that the construct of PNBE is significantly different across areas of higher- and lower NSES (p= 0.017, 95% CI). The findings contribute to health-oriented urban planning, highlighting the importance of integrating both aspects of built and social environments when designing neighbourhood interventions to promote active living.

ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT ARCHITECTS: SPATIAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE HOMELESS IN KUALA LUMPUR

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Shelter is one of the human basic needs. One of a person’s necessities is a place to live. Homelessness in Kuala Lumpur is a growing concern, and this study explored how homeless people navigate through Kuala Lumpur’s urban spaces for survival. It aimed to understand their sleeping habits and how the decisions reflect the basic human needs. The study employs a qualitative approach through observation and appraisal in five identified homeless concentrated nodes in Kuala Lumpur: Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, Masjid Jamek, and Pudu. An appraisal was used to record homeless behaviours, using thematic analysis to detect trends. The data collected indicate that self-built shelters, valuable organisations, well-lit areas, and coverings are intentional survival strategies. Through the interpretation of the theories of Architecture without Architects, Hierarchy of Needs, and Environmental Psychology, the data show that homeless individuals may adapt to public spaces to secure safety, privacy, belonging, and dignity. These behaviours, even under deprived conditions, demonstrated that humans will naturally adapt themselves to meet their basic needs. The study found that homeless people’s spatial behaviour was an intentional strategy and that, unlike current law enforcement strategies, understanding it may yield more inclusive design and policy solutions to eradicate homelessness in Kuala Lumpur.

INCLUSIVE HERITAGE TRAILS: ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES FOR VULNERABLE USERS IN KUALA LUMPUR'S URBAN CONSERVATION AREAS

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Over the years, heritage trails within urban conservation areas have faced continuous threats as rapid development reshapes the surrounding landscape and alters the character of the city. These trails serve as vital pedestrian connectors and cultural storytellers, yet they remain physically inaccessible to vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities (PwD), the elderly, pregnant women, and families with young children. Therefore, the objective of this research is to identify the issues and challenges faced by vulnerable users and to examine the physical accessibility quality of heritage trails within Kuala Lumpur. Employing a qualitative case study research approach, data was collected using multiple sources of evidence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 vulnerable users, while participant observation involved 20 vulnerable users navigating the 2.57 km Kuala Lumpur Headquarters (KLHQ) Heritage Trail. Thematic analysis conducted via ATLAS.ti extracted 68 key phrases, which were synthesized into five core planning-relevant attributes: connectivity, usability, safety, information availability, and policy compliance. Findings reveal that the historic trail network fails to provide continuous accessibility. Therefore, this research proposes a comprehensive strategy based on universal design principles in creating inclusive heritage trails that inform the stakeholders and decision makers, directly advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 and 11.

TOWARDS SHARIA COMPLIANT MARKET SOUNDING PRACTICES IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIA

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study examines whether Sharia principles emphasising transparency and full disclosure can be operationalised within market sounding practices in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) schemes. The study adopts a qualitative research design based on semi-structured interviews with 21 expert stakeholders from government institutions, financial organisations, private investors, advisory bodies, and Sharia authorities. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and to develop a conceptual framework. The findings reveal a strong convergence among stakeholders that transparency and full disclosure are fundamental requirements under Sharia and are consistent with principles of good governance in PPPs. However, practical limitations, including limited project readiness, institutional capacity constraints, and the need to preserve competitive innovation, restrict the feasibility of full disclosure at early stages. The study is limited to the Indonesian context and expert perspectives. Future research may incorporate comparative studies across jurisdictions and quantitative validation of impacts on investor participation. This study contributes to the emerging discourse on Sharia PPPs by proposing market sounding based on transparency and full disclosure as a foundational mechanism bridging Sharia principles and conventional PPP practices.

URBAN FLOOD PROJECT MANAGEMENT: UNCOVERING SOLUTIONS FOR KUALA LUMPUR

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Kuala Lumpur is the most developed city in Malaysia, facing heightened risks of flash floods due to rapid urbanisation and intense rainfall. This study evaluates the effectiveness of structural interventions in mitigating flash floods through qualitative methods, using semi-structured interviews with experts from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and consultant engineers. Content analysis revealed that existing measures, including the JPS manual and guidelines (MASMA), retention and detention ponds, on-site detention systems, and rainwater harvesting tanks, contribute significantly to flood risk reduction but cannot fully resolve the problem. Experts highlighted the importance of consistent maintenance of current infrastructure while recommending innovative approaches to strengthen resilience. Proposed strategies include adopting sponge city concepts, developing coastal reservoirs, integrating green spaces in urban planning, and applying advanced practices from Singapore, such as underground tunnel systems. The findings underscore the need to complement MASMA with innovative structural measures to address persistent flood challenges more effectively. The study contributes to strengthening existing flood management frameworks in Malaysia and urges the DID and local authorities to consider their adoption in future urban flood resilience planning.

ASSESSING THE FACTORS INFLUENCING PRIVATE VEHICLE OWNERS’ INTENTION TO PAY PROPOSED CONGESTION FEES IN GEORGE TOWN, PENANG: A THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR

Julia Aqila Japry, Nitanan Koshy Matthew, Zakiah Ponrahono — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Penang was identified as the most congested city in Malaysia in 2024, primarily due to the influx of tourists in George Town, which contributed to high greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the Penang State government proposed becoming the first state to implement a congestion fee. However, limited information was available regarding the stakeholders’ intentions towards congestion fees. Accordingly, the research aimed to determine the relationship between attitude, subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioural control (PBC), and intention to pay a congestion fee. Questionnaires were utilised to collect responses from 440 respondents through stratified sampling in George Town, involving residents of Penang and domestic tourists. The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (Attitude, SN, and PBC) had significant and positive relationships. These findings provided valuable insights for the State Government and the Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department in designing effective congestion fee implementation strategies, which were aligned with the National Transport Policy 2021-2030 and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

PLACE-BASED INTERPRETATION OF ORANG ASLI LIFE-COURSE HERITAGE

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study reframes Orang Asli (OA) cultural practices as a life-course and spatial system within Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Domain 3. It connects them to care settings, households, Adat institutions, burial boundaries and ancestral sites. Studies emphasise festive events, weakening recognition of continuity across life phases. The research combined interviews with OA knowledge holders and representatives with ethnographic, academic and heritage sources. Content analysis coded manifestations by social role, ritual purpose, symbolic meaning, participation pattern and community context. Inductive-deductive thematic analysis organised them into codes, facets and themes. Six experts assessed the framework using the Content Validity Index, informing four themes and sixteen facets. These cover early development, marital institutions, maternal care, adulthood, elderhood and ancestry. Spatial analysis produced four planning categories and eight cultural spaces for protection, learning, household formation, maternal care, subsistence, governance, burial and ancestry. The framework supports documentation, planning, assessment and community-led mapping of life-course heritage.

CULTURAL SPACES SUSTAINING ORANG ASLI NATURE–CULTURE KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This paper maps landscapes, rivers, celestial settings, healing areas and household spaces sustaining Orang Asli (OA) knowledge under Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Domain 4. Evidence remains scattered across practices, beliefs and environmental settings, limiting interpretation as a coherent, place-based nature–culture system. The study combined interviews with OA knowledge holders and representatives with ethnographic sources, literature and heritage reports. Content analysis identified manifestations by knowledge function, setting, cultural meaning, practice and community context. Inductive-deductive thematic analysis organised them into codes, facets and themes. Six experts assessed the framework using the Content Validity Index, informing four themes and sixteen facets. These cover ecological landscapes, riverine systems, celestial-cosmological knowledge, therapeutics, healing and foodways. Spatial interpretation generated five conceptual layers and ten cultural spaces, including routes, customary territories, renewal landscapes, species habitats, river networks and sacred water sites. The framework supports landscape mapping, conservation zoning, river protection, resource safeguarding and culturally sensitive development control.

FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES ON OPEN BURNING REGULATION: A CASE STUDY OF SEKINCHAN, SELANGOR

Mariani Ariffin, Nur Auni Syafiqah Othman — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Despite a regulatory prohibition under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, open burning persists in Malaysia. Enforcement challenges are particularly evident in agricultural areas because seasonal farming cycles often involve farmers burning crop residues to clear land. Certain open burning activities, including smallholder cultivation, are permitted under specified conditions. This study explores farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the regulatory controls and the local community’s perception of the issue in Sekinchan, Selangor. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative surveys involving 144 respondents with qualitative interviews and field observations. The data were subsequently triangulated to enhance validity. The findings indicate that farmers have a high level of knowledge of the legal prohibition. They are also willing to participate in government awareness initiatives. However, interview and observational findings suggest that actual compliance with procedural and environmental requirements remains inconsistent. Economic considerations, time constraints, limited access to practical alternatives, and entrenched cultural norms continue to influence farmers’ behaviour. The findings indicate gaps between regulatory awareness and implementation. Therefore, integrated enforcement strategies and feasible agricultural alternatives are required to support sustainable environmental governance, agricultural land management, and context-sensitive environmental planning in Selangor.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A CATALYST FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC RESILIENCE: A PESTELE ANALYSIS OF A SCHOOL-BASED FARMING PROJECT

Radieah Mohd Nor — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study aims to evaluate the socioeconomic viability and planning implications of a social entrepreneurship model through a rabbit farming project at SMITI Sains Bahrul Ulum, Penang, utilizing an analytical PESTELE diagnostic framework. Employing a mixed-methods design, data were extracted from operational financial records, surveys involving 23 students and 14 school staff, and qualitative thematic analysis. The findings prove that the model is financially viable, generating a net profit of RM1,736.30 in its first cycle, which successfully triggered secondary economic spillover effects for the local community. From a social aspect, the acceptance level among educators was highly positive (mean 4.07); however, the students’ moderate practical skills (mean 3.64) necessitate the establishment of structured mentor-mentee workshops. Furthermore, spatial and operational analyses revealed that space constraints (40’ x 60’) and a low breeding rate (50%) restricted maximum profit, thus requiring smart technology interventions. Nevertheless, environmental sustainability was achieved through a circular economy system utilizing livestock waste. By implication, to ensure the replicability of this model, the study urges local authorities to formulate more flexible zoning policies to allow the integration of community economic activities within institutional zones.

INTEGRATING WAQF MU’AQQAT AND EQUITY CROWDFUNDING FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF IDLE WAQF LAND

Ainul Syahidah Shaari, Muhammad Shahrul Ifwat Ishak — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In Malaysia, it was reported that an estimated 17% of waqf lands remains undeveloped in 2024 due to financial and managerial constraints. Agricultural use of idle waqf land could generate up to RM18,000 per hectare annually, reflecting significant unrealised economic value. Hence, it results in substantial opportunity costs, including lost financial sustainability and socio-developmental capacity of waqf institutions. In this context, developing idle waqf land for sustainable agriculture strengthens food security and socio-economic outcomes. It also can support local economic development by creating employment across the agricultural value chain. Overall, productive waqf land utilisation promotes income generation, rural livelihoods, and inclusive development. Therefore, this study aims to develop a sustainable financing model using equity crowdfunding to support the development of idle waqf land through sustainable agricultural initiatives. To achieve these objectives, this study adopts a qualitative research approach through a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature and semi-structured interviews with selected experts and practitioners from State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs), agricultural agencies, and land-related authorities. It was found that an alternative financing is crucially needed for waqf land development. Thus, equity crowdfunding can be proposed as a means of sustainable financing. However, to adapt into waqf land, it is suggested equity crowdfunding is integrated with waqf muaqqat (temporary waqf). This study contributes to the country economy agenda by developing idle land and providing venture capital for the agriculture sector business. At the same time, it aligns with Financial Sector Blueprint 2022-2026 in terms of advancing digitalisation of the financial sector and value-based finance through Islamic finance leadership Islamic finance. Finally, this model support Capital Market Masterplan 2026-2030 by encouraging development of innovative Islamic social finance products and frameworks, including waqf-linked investment for social and climate objectives.

MOSQUE TOURISM AND URBAN CULTURAL IDENTITY: A SUSTAINABLE PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR MALAYSIAN CITIES

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This article examines mosque tourism as a spatial and cultural mechanism shaping urban cultural identity in Malaysian cities. Focusing on Kuala Terengganu, Melaka, George Town, and Putrajaya, it investigates how mosques function beyond religious institutions to contribute to urban placemaking, heritage representation, and tourism development. Using a qualitative comparative case study approach integrating documentary analysis, visual and spatial analysis, and semi-structured expert interviews, the study identifies three interrelated dimensions: heritage-embedded identity formation, Islamic placemaking, and governance-driven urban integration. Findings show that mosque tourism contributes to urban identity formation, but its expression varies across contexts. Melaka and George Town reflect layered multicultural heritage identities shaped by historical continuity, while Kuala Terengganu demonstrates organic Malay-Islamic spatial identity rooted in traditional settlement patterns. In contrast, Putrajaya represents a planned symbolic Islamic identity shaped through state-led urban design. Islamic placemaking is found to be central in shaping spatial experience and urban legibility, while governance fragmentation may constrain the effective integration of mosque tourism into urban planning systems. The study proposes a conceptual model positioning mosque tourism as a strategic component of urban identity systems rather than a standalone tourism product and highlights the need for integrated planning frameworks that align heritage conservation, tourism governance, and urban design to support sustainable urban cultural development in Malaysia.

DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY-BASED WATER RESOURCE SECURITY FRAMEWORK FOR RURAL MALAYSIA: INTEGRATING GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL CAPITAL PERSPECTIVES

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Access to safe and reliable water remains a persistent challenge for rural communities in Malaysia, where infrastructural limitations, spatial constraints, and governance fragmentation continue to undermine water security. While technological solutions have been widely promoted, their long-term effectiveness in rural contexts is often constrained by limited community ownership and weak institutional coordination. This paper develops a Community-Based Water Resource Security Framework (CBWSF) that integrates social capital, place-responsive green technology, and institutional coordination. This study used a structured integrative synthesis of peer-reviewed scholarship, Malaysian planning evidence, and national policy documents to derive and connect five dimensions: institutional governance, social capital, green technology, spatial and environmental context, and sustainability monitoring. The framework distinguishes four recurring terrain-settlement configurations (interior highland, riverine floodplain, coastal peat-lowland, and island or stilt settlement) and links each to source, technology, and governance choices. It also translates the National Water Resources Policy and Rural Development Policy 2030 into operational community-level planning actions. The paper contributes a policy-connected implementation logic for rural water planning rather than an empirically validated causal model. Its propositions should therefore be tested through comparative case studies and longitudinal performance assessment.

INSTITUTIONAL DYNAMICS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM VILLAGE MANAGEMENT: THE ROLE OF YOUTH AGENCY AND "CAPACITY TO ASPIRE" IN ALAMENDAH, INDONESIA

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Alamendah Village in Rancabali District, Bandung Regency, has emerged as a prominent tourism destination, distinguished by its effective management under the stewardship of the local younger generation. This study analyzes the institutional ecosystem of Alamendah Tourism Village—a recipient of the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI)—to elucidate how local actors navigate the transition of the tourism village as an alternative economic source for the community. The objective of this research is to formulate a model of "youth agency" as a catalyst for sustainable Halal tourism. Adopting a constructivist paradigm, the research employed a five-stage phenomenological approach, ranging from phenomenon comprehension to theoretical synthesis. Data were accrued via in-depth interviews (n=15) and participatory observation in Rancabali District, Bandung Regency, and analyzed using NVivo 12 to ensure methodological rigor. To substantiate this qualitative narrative with observable physical evidence, the analysis further incorporates a longitudinal GIS-based spatial assessment of tourism-accommodation growth across four benchmark years (2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025). The findings reveal that Alamendah’s success is driven by endogenous youth agency characterized by three institutional dimensions: Entrepreneurial Creativity, where youth diversify products based on ecological assets; Organizational Capacity, functioning as an intermediary for "Integrated Rural Development"; and Social Cohesion, facilitated by higher educational attainment. Theoretically, this study validates Appadurai’s concept of "Capacity to Aspire" as a tangible institutional force, empirically corroborated by a 680 per cent increase in tourism accommodation units between 2010 and 2025 whose spatial diffusion directly traces the corridors curated by youth-led institutional governance.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICES AS ADAPTIVE PLANNING GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS: A RISK-DRIVEN CAPABILITY TRANSFORMATION MODEL

Alin Veronika, Yusuf Latief, Leni Sagita Riantini — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Project Management Offices (PMOs) are widely adopted to support coordination and governance in project-based organisations, yet their performance impact remains inconsistent, particularly within urban infrastructure and construction planning organisations, where multi-project coordination and regulatory complexity are most pronounced. Existing studies typically examine PMO capability, risk, or transformation in isolation and often assume linear relationships with performance. This study reframes PMOs as adaptive governance systems and examines how Capability (C), Risk Activation (R), Adjustment (A), and Performance (P) interact to shape organisational outcomes.

Using survey data from 243 practitioners and structural equation modelling, the study shows that PMO capability conditions governance stability but does not directly suppress risk or guarantee performance. Risk does not directly impair performance; instead, it functions as an activation signal that triggers organisational adjustment. PMO transformation emerges as the primary stabilisation mechanism, mediating the effects of both capability and risk on performance. By conceptualising performance as an emergent system outcome, this study advances PMO research beyond maturity and role-based explanations and offers a mechanism-based account of governance behaviour under disturbance. The findings are particularly relevant to the governance of large-scale urban development projects, where capability transformation determines whether coordinated delivery is sustained under planning and regulatory disturbance.

ANALYSING CAUSES OF DELAY IN SARAWAK’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Chu Sheng Ding, Jiayi Poh, Shi Yee Wong, Saipol Bari Abd Karim — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Construction delays are recurring issues in the construction industry. In Malaysia, numerous studies on construction delays have been conducted. However, studies specifically focused on Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, remain limited, despite the issue being common in the state. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyse the causes of delay from the perspectives of construction stakeholders in Sarawak. Two objectives were set to achieve the aim: (i) to prioritise the causes of delay and (ii) to examine if there are statistically significant differences in the rankings of causes of delay between clients, consultants, and contractors. A quantitative research method was adopted to collect research data by sending semi-structured questionnaires to the respondents. Eventually, 79 valid responses were collected. The data was analysed using the Descriptive Statistics method for ranking causes of delay and the Kruskal-Wallis test for examining the differences between groups. The results showed that the top three significant causes of delay are labour shortages, increases in material prices, and material shortages. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that there is consensus among the construction stakeholders for 65 causes, but differences also exist for 11 causes. The present study provides a comprehensive assessment of 76 causes of delay across different respondent groups. Therefore, the findings could provide valuable insights for the construction stakeholders. Mitigation strategies can be planned before project implementation to reduce the delay issues in Sarawak’s construction industry.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN SUSTAINING TACTICAL URBANISM IN INDONESIAN KAMPUNGS

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In the Global South, Tactical Urbanism (TU) interventions are often confined to superficial changes within a specific area, failing to tackle the underlying structural and policy-related issues. This paper discusses TU as a survival mechanism and compares two cases, Kampung Warna-Warni Jodipan (KWJ, the Colourful Kampung) and Kampung Tridi. The study moves away from Western-centric models using a blend of Silva’s theory, Quality of Life (QoL) indicators and Social Network Analysis (SNA). The study found that the main focus for successful urban development is to improve the social relations between residents, instead of physical transformation. What stands out is the gender-inclusive and decentralised decision-making processes and participatory ‘Organic Resilience’ of KWJ with 81% citizen participation and 0.436 network density. By contrast, Kampung Tridi has suffered ecological problems because of its rigid, top-down hierarchical management style. To be effective in addressing local issues, TU initiatives need a paradigm shift toward a more institutionally integrated approach to co-production with planning regulations that are adaptive to local creativity.

INTERPRETATION OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF MODERN KAZAKHSTAN MOSQUES THROUGH THE EXAMPLE OF T. ABILDA AND SH. YUSSUPOV PROJECTS

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The formation of Kazakhstani architecture is marked by both gradual changes and creative breakthroughs: starting from the search for innovation in the Soviet Era to national and regional features in the post-Soviet period. Many generations of talented masters have affected the formation of unique appearances of major Kazakh cities. Traditional forms and silhouettes, combined with the creativity and innovativeness of architects of the Independence Period in a regional context make up the basis for the figurative interpretation of regional meanings in the modern architecture of Kazakhstan. The diversity of individual architects’ professional approaches shapes a complex, original image of Kazakhstani objects. A study of compositional and shape-generating techniques will allow determining the role of Kazakhstani architects’ creative activity in providing uniqueness in Kazakhstan's architecture. This research’s issue is associated with the insufficient state of knowledge of modern Kazakhstani architects’ creative and authorial strategies. Religious structures are among the most significant architectural facilities reflecting the dynamics of historical-cultural, socio-economic and technological transformations of the country's transition period. This is due to the population's return to their roots and traditional faith, which has affected the intensive construction of new mosques and religious schools. The purpose of this study is to identify the compositional principles of the modern sacred architecture in Kazakhstan, using the creative activity of architects Tolegen Abilda and Shukhrat Yussupov as an example: the way the Islamic traditions are interpreted in the post-Soviet context in terms of regional identity. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach, comprising an analysis of the spatial and compositional specific features of modern mosque buildings and the urban planning role of the facilities under consideration. The interviews held with the above-mentioned architects are aimed at identifying the specific features of their creative activity, the tools for interpreting traditions and innovative solutions.

SPATIAL DYNAMICS OF URBAN SPRAWL AND THE CHALLENGES OF TRANSBOUNDARY GOVERNANCE IN BOGOR’S PERI-URBAN

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Bogor City, as a satellite of the Jakarta Metropolitan Area, is experiencing demographic pressure and rapid urbanization. This growth has triggered massive spillover effects, manifesting as urban sprawl beyond administrative boundaries into the outskirts of Bogor Regency. This study aims to analyze the spatial dynamics of urban sprawl and analyze the challenges that arise for transboundary governance. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study uses Remote Sensing analysis with assessment by Normalized Difference Built up index (NDBI) and the sprawl index to measure built-up area expansion. Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) analysis to detect significant spatial clusters of development from 2001 to 2023. Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) analysis is used to structure the constraints and challenges that occur. The analysis results identify that High-High clusters are located along the northern and western administrative boundaries, indicating that functional urban expansion has been detached from formal spatial planning. It also reveals a significant regulatory gap between city and district governments in the study area. The study concludes that the current rigid administrative-based planning is inadequate to manage peri-urban dynamics. Transformative transboundary governance, which emphasizes cross-jurisdictional synchronization and functional spatial management, is urgently needed to mitigate the negative externalities of uncontrolled urban sprawl and ensure regional sustainability.

INTEGRATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ PERSPECTIVES INTO PERFORMANCE-BASED MAINTENANCE PLANNING: EVALUATING SERVICE QUALITY AND SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR MASJID KARIAH IN KELANTAN, MALAYSIA

Azhar Yusof, Mohamad Ridzuan Yahya, Faridah Ismail, Siti Fatimah Hashim — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study investigates the integration of committee members' perspectives into performance-based maintenance planning, focusing on service quality and safety and health aspects in Masjid Kariah across 10 districts in Kelantan, Malaysia. Through a structured questionnaire survey involving 354 committee members from 59 mosques, the research examines reported practices and assessments of three maintenance strategies. Planned Corrective Maintenance (PCM) accounted for 66.1% of recorded strategy categories. Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) received the highest mean ratings across all nine indicators. Exploratory Friedman comparisons of mosque-level mean ratings identified overall differences among strategy ratings for every indicator (Holm-adjusted permutation p < 0.001; Kendall’s W = 0.903–1.000). An additional mosque-level chi-square test found no statistically significant association between maintenance frequency and recorded strategy category (p = 0.765). The findings highlight committee members’ priorities for service delivery, equipment inspections and cleanliness. These assessments represent management perceptions and do not establish the operational effectiveness of individual maintenance strategies.

COMMUNITY PERCEPTION ON LAND-USE CHANGE IN VICINITY OF FLOOD DETENTION PONDS IN KUALA LUMPUR

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Escalating urban flash floods have become a critical socio-environmental crisis. The continuous conversion of natural, permeable landscapes into impervious urban surfaces such as asphalt and high-density concrete has drastically accelerated surface water runoff. This study aims to understand the community's knowledge, flood experiences, and the authority's response and planning around the flood detention pond area. The research methodology uses a structured survey format, ensuring the collection of standardised data that can be objectively compared across the various detention pond catchment areas. Analysis shows that over 83.5% (mean = 3.28) of respondents observe intensive construction around detention basins, mirrored by an 82.7% (mean = 3.26) agreement rate that natural green buffers have diminished over the past five years. While residents expressed confidence in the physical safety (mean = 3.22) and routine upkeep (mean = 3.15) of local detention ponds, their trust declined significantly in the ponds' ability to prevent overflow during prolonged, multi-day rainfall. In addition, the community is not inherently opposed to development but instead requests sustainable planning that balances economic growth with rigorous environmental safeguards.

YOUTH HOMEOWNERSHIP READINESS AND ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT HOUSING PROGRAMMES IN MALAYSIA

Nur Arnie Aziera , Ezdihar Hamzah, Nurul Ain Najwa — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study examines factors associated with homeownership readiness among young adults in selected urban areas of Malaysia, focusing on perceived homeownership barriers, financial capacity and access to government housing programmes. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was adopted using a structured questionnaire, with 551 valid responses collected. Descriptive statistics, reliability and factorability analysis, and multinomial logistic regression were employed. Among the 235 non-homeowners, only 21.7% intended to purchase a house within the next five years, while 57.4% had no intention and 20.9% were uncertain. Deposit requirements, location and house price emerged as the most prominent perceived barriers. The six barrier items demonstrated strong internal consistency and were consolidated into a Perceived Homeownership Barriers (PHB) construct. However, PHB was not statistically significant in explaining homeownership intention after controlling for age, monthly income and residential location. Monthly income showed significant associations, particularly between respondents with no purchase intention and those who were uncertain. Although awareness of government housing programmes was high at 86.2%, financial requirements, house prices, financing limitations and insufficient programme information remained prominent challenges. The findings highlight the importance of improving affordability, financing accessibility, information clarity and housing suitability to strengthen youth homeownership readiness.

MEASURING EFFICIENCY IN MALAYSIAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS

Nurin Iyazi Raman, Nor Nazihah Chuweni, Sara Wibaning Respati, Emil Azmanajaya — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This paper highlights the necessity of evaluating the efficiency of Malaysian Real Estate Investment Trusts (M-REITs) across the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic phases. While the sector holds significant strategic value, there is a lack of empirical research focusing on the technical, managerial, and scale efficiencies of M-REITs. To address this gap, the study analyses M-REITs efficiency between 2015 and 2024 by applying a non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology. Specifically, the input-oriented Variable Return to Scale (VRS-DEA) model was employed to determine the efficiency scores for M-REITs. The findings indicate the average technical efficiency score is 0.633, indicating moderate overall performance. Pure technical efficiency is relatively high at 0.801, while scale efficiency averages 0.783. This suggests that M-REITs demonstrate strong relative resource-conversion capabilities under managerial control, but efficiency losses are partly due to operating at a non-optimal scale. Ultimately, this study highlights the importance of better resource utilisation and appropriate scale adjustments to improve performance.

FACTORS INFLUENCING RUMAH SELANGORKU PURCHASE-RELATED DECISIONS AMONG YOUNG PROSPECTIVE BUYERS IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Nurul Ain Najwa, Ezdihar Hamzah, Nur Arnie Aziera — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Home ownership among young adults in Malaysia, particularly in Selangor, has become increasingly challenging due to rising property prices, income imbalance, and financial commitments. Although the Rumah Selangorku Scheme was introduced by the Selangor State Government to provide affordable housing for the B40 and M40 groups, concerns remain regarding its ability to meet the needs and expectations of young prospective buyers. This study aims to identify the factors associated with Rumah Selangorku purchase-related decisions among young prospective buyers and to examine differences in perceptions according to their application status. A quantitative approach was adopted using questionnaire data collected from 325 respondents aged 18 to 35 who live or work in Selangor. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), reliability and item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Welch’s ANOVA, Games–Howell post-hoc analysis, and multinomial logistic regression. The findings indicate that respondents generally placed high importance on housing price, facilities, location, developer reputation, government incentives, and related housing information. A single underlying perception factor was identified across the 27 items. Overall perception differed significantly by application status, with respondents who had previously applied but were unsuccessful reporting the highest perception scores. The findings provide insights for improving the implementation and delivery of Rumah Selangorku.

EXPLORING POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS' PERCEPTIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF FLOOD RISK IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY PURCHASING IN SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR

Muhammad Arif Syukran Zairudin, Thuraiya Mohd — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Urban flooding has become a recurring issue in Malaysia’s rapidly developing cities, posing increasing risks to residential properties and homebuyers. In cities such as Shah Alam, flooding has led to significant property damage and disruptions to community well-being. In response, this study serves as a perception-based exploratory investigation to assess potential homebuyers’ awareness of flood risks and examine the extent to which these risks influence their residential property purchasing decisions in Shah Alam, Selangor. A quantitative cross-sectional approach was employed, gathering primary data via structured questionnaires from 102 respondents in Shah Alam. The sample demographic consists predominantly of university-level students and young adults evaluating prospective purchasing criteria. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Multiple Linear Regression to evaluate measurement structures and examine relationships between decision-making variables. The results indicate that potential homebuyers demonstrate a high level of awareness regarding flood risks, treating flood risk as a significant consideration alongside traditional housing factors. This study contributes valuable insights for government agencies in formulating effective policies aligned with Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMK-13) and the National Housing Policy, while promoting climate-resilient housing practices.

FINANCIAL AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HOMEOWNERSHIP READINESS AMONG GIG WORKERS IN MALAYSIA

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The expansion of gig work has raised concerns regarding workers’ financial stability and access to homeownership due to irregular income and non-standard employment arrangements. This study examines the financial and lifestyle factors associated with homeownership readiness among gig workers in selected urban areas of Malaysia. A quantitative dominant mixed methods survey design with an embedded qualitative component was adopted. Data were collected through an online questionnaire from 22 purposively selected gig workers in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman’s rank order correlation, while open ended responses were analysed thematically. The findings indicate that prioritising daily living expenses was the most prominent lifestyle related consideration (RII = 0.755), followed by property saving priority and financial literacy/spending control (RII = 0.736). Income instability demonstrated a significant negative association with homeownership readiness (ρ = −0.589, p = 0.004), whereas savings behaviour, lifestyle spending and financial literacy/spending control showed no significant associations. Qualitative findings further highlighted income instability, documentation requirements, financing accessibility and housing affordability as key challenges. The study highlights the need for more inclusive and flexible housing finance policies for gig workers.

WOMEN’S HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN SELANGOR: AN EXPENDITURE- BASED ANALYSIS BEYOND INCOME METRIC

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Rising housing and living costs challenge women’s housing affordability in Selangor, yet income-based measures may conceal financial stress after essential expenditures. This study measures women’s housing affordability and identifies expenditure commitments influencing it. A cross-sectional survey of 500 adult women from diverse marital statuses, household arrangements and income groups was analysed using the Residual Income Model (RIM) and Binary Logistic Regression (BLR), while Sankey analysis visualised income allocation. Household income significantly increased affordability (Wald = 125.147, p < 0.001), whereas household, housing, transportation and education expenditures significantly reduced it. B40 households earned an average of RM3,350 and spent RM930 (27.8%) on housing, yet saved only RM110 (3.3%). This reveals “false affordability”, whereby households satisfy the conventional 30% benchmark but retain insufficient resources for essential needs. M40 and T20 households recorded higher savings rates of 18.1% and 25.0%, respectively. These findings support expenditure-sensitive assessments and targeted, gender-responsive housing interventions.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS TOWARDS SMART AND RESILIENT RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Over the years, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) have included rural development as one of the UNSDG indicators. Rural development is important, especially for developing countries with higher rural population. Limited existing literature focus on the underlying indicators in developing a smart and resilience rural. Therefore, this study aims to identify the underlying indicators of smart rural and rural resilience between two rural categories in Sarawak based on the rural communities’ perspective. Likert-Scale questionnaires were distributed to seven village communities. This yields a total of 675 valid responses. The study demonstrates that rural categories significantly influence the perceived underlying indicators, emphasising the need for specific strategies to address development gaps between the different rural categories. Adaptive rural policies are needed to cater different characteristics of rural areas to close the rural development gaps.

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS AND HOUSING PRICES: CAN POLICIES STABILIZE MALAYSIA'S RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET?

Nur Hafizah Ismail, Sr. Rosliza Ramli, Mohd Zaini Abd Karim, Mahyudin Ahmad — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Malaysia's residential property market faces a long-standing affordability problem because house prices have risen faster than household incomes. Government housing programmes are the main policy response, but there is little evidence on whether they significantly affect market prices. This study examines how government housing intervention and state economic conditions affect residential property prices across all 13 Malaysian states and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, using a balanced panel of 14 units observed annually from 2010 to 2022. In this study, government intervention is measured by the number of completed Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) units. The model is estimated using fixed effects with year effects and Driscoll-Kraay standard errors. Two findings emerge. First, state economic conditions are associated with house prices in the expected directions: a one per cent larger population is associated with a house price index about 1.55 points higher and a one per cent higher income per capita with about 0.22 points higher. Second, government housing policy is positively and significantly associated with the price index, with a coefficient of 10.926 and a Driscoll-Kraay standard error of 3.009, significant at the 1% level. This association is not uniform: once the government policy variable is interacted with state economic conditions, all three interaction terms are significant, indicating that the relationship between public housing provision and house prices varies with a state's income level, population size and labour-market conditions. For planning practice, these results imply that targeted affordable housing program should be assessed using sub-market affordability, access and delivery indicators rather than an aggregate state house price index, which covers all market segments.

UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL DATA ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS MALAYSIA'S SURVEYING PROFESSIONS: A TWO ROUND DELPHI STUDY

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study investigates the digital data ecosystem across Malaysia's surveying professions using a two-round Delphi study involving experts from Building Surveying, Property Surveying, Geospatial and Land Surveying, and Quantity Surveying. The first round employed semi-structured interviews with ten experts to explore professional roles, project lifecycle involvement, digital information management, and data sharing practices. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis, resulting in three themes comprising seven categories. The second round involved nine independent experts who validated the findings through a structured Delphi consensus process. A total of 65 of the 69 statements achieved the predefined consensus threshold of at least 80 percent agreement, demonstrating strong expert convergence. The validated framework identifies three interconnected dimensions, namely professional roles and lifecycle involvement, data types, organisation and digital tools, and data sharing practices and cross-disciplinary exchange. The findings demonstrate that an effective digital data ecosystem depends on the integration of professional responsibilities, structured information management, and collaborative data exchange throughout the built environment lifecycle. The study provides an empirically validated framework that supports digital transformation and interdisciplinary collaboration across Malaysia's surveying professions.

SMART ACCESSIBILITY IN MELAKA’S HERITAGE BUILDINGS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: A TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN APPROACH

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study investigates the accessibility of public heritage buildings in Melaka for persons with disabilities (PwDs). Despite Melaka’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, many heritage buildings remain inaccessible due to historical architectural designs that do not meet modern accessibility standards. Employing semi-structured interviews with PwDs and a review of local and international literature, the research identifies key challenges, including inaccessible ramps, narrow doorways, inaccessible toilets, and low staff awareness. The study also explores the potential of integrating adaptive technologies, such as mobile applications and virtual reality (VR), alongside Universal Design (UD) principles. Findings indicate that combining physical upgrades with digital solutions can significantly enhance accessibility while preserving historical authenticity. By addressing these issues, the study contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), i.e., SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), promoting inclusive heritage tourism and ensuring equitable access to Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage. The study concludes with actionable strategies for local authorities and stakeholders to foster a more inclusive and accessible artistic environment.

CYBERSICKNESS ASSOCIATED WITH DIGITAL TOOL USE AMONG CONSTRUCTION PRACTITIONERS: SYMPTOM PATTERNS, ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND COPING STRATEGIES

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Digital technologies have transformed the way construction work is planned, coordinated and executed, resulting in increasingly digital and screen-intensive work environments. However, prolonged digital exposure has also raised concerns regarding cybersickness and occupational well-being. Although generally not considered a serious medical condition, cybersickness may adversely affect user comfort and potentially hinder the sustainable adoption of digital technologies. Despite the industry’s growing digitalisation, empirical evidence on cybersickness among construction practitioners remains limited, leaving a lack of evidence-based guidance to promote healthier Construction 4.0 work environments. Therefore, this study investigated the self-reported occurrence and severity of cybersickness among Malaysian construction practitioners, examined demographic and digital usage factors associated with symptom severity, and explored coping strategies adopted to mitigate discomfort. A quantitative approach was employed using a structured questionnaire survey involving 109 construction practitioners in Malaysia. The findings revealed that more than half of the respondents experienced cybersickness symptoms intermittently, predominantly in the form of oculomotor discomfort, including eye strain, headaches and difficulty focusing. Higher symptom severity was observed among female and younger practitioners and was associated with prolonged continuous screen exposure rather than overall daily digital exposure. To alleviate discomfort, practitioners primarily adopted behavioural and ergonomic measures, with regular breaks, screen adjustment and ergonomic posture emerging as the most common coping strategies. This study extends cybersickness research beyond gaming and laboratory settings by providing empirical evidence from professional construction practice and offering insights for industry practitioners, organisations, and policymakers to develop healthier, more sustainable digital work environments.

THE IMPACT OF INTEGRATING ACOUSTIC SURFACE MATERIAL DESIGN INTO INTERIOR SPACE PLANNING FOR HYBRID LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The adoption of hybrid teaching and learning has transformed the planning and design of higher education learning environments, requiring classroom interiors to support both face-to-face and remote instruction. However, inadequate acoustic conditions remain a major challenge, reducing speech intelligibility and limiting effective communication. This study investigates the role of interior surface material design in integrating acoustic considerations into the space planning of hybrid classrooms that accommodate conventional and collaborative learning. A combination of field measurements and acoustic simulations was conducted to evaluate the effects of wall and ceiling treatments on reverberation time (RT), speech transmission index (STI), and speech clarity (C₅₀). The findings demonstrate that strategically designed surface materials significantly improve acoustic performance and speech intelligibility. The study provides evidence-based design strategies for interior space planning to create hybrid learning environments that enhance communication and teaching and learning experiences.

LEARNING ORGANISATION FOR ORGANISATIONAL RESILIENCE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY: EVIDENCE FROM QUANTITY SURVEYING CONSULTANT FIRMS IN MALAYSIA

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, organisations must navigate through various disruptions, including pandemics, geopolitical conflicts, economic uncertainties, and other unforeseen events. These challenges highlight the need for resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning to maintain business continuity. For Quantity Surveying (QS) consultant firms, valuable knowledge and expertise are often embedded within experienced professionals. Therefore, developing a Learning Organisation is essential to support knowledge sharing, employee development, and organisational improvement. This study examines the key characteristics, critical success factors, and benefits of Learning Organisation practices among QS consultant firms in Malaysia. A quantitative approach was adopted using a questionnaire survey distributed to QS consultant firms registered with the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM). The survey achieved a 38% response rate, providing sufficient data for analysis. The findings identified Dynamic Learning as the most prominent characteristic, high personal competencies as the key success factor, and continuous improvement and innovation as the main organisational benefit. This study contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical evidence on Learning Organisation practices within the QS profession, which remains limited in current research. The findings also provide industry practitioners with key areas to strengthen organisational resilience, particularly through employee capability development, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

THE PLANNED CAPITAL TRAP: HOUSING MARKET DISEQUILIBRIUM AND GOVERNANCE RISK IN PUTRAJAYA

Mohd Azhar Ab Wahid, Amalina Azmi, Zafirah Al Sadat Zyed, Noorame Mohd Foudzy — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Planned administrative capitals are designed on the assumption that state-backed employment can be spatially concentrated without exposing public servants to severe housing pressure. This study develops the concept of the ‘planned capital trap’ to explain how controlled urban development and concentrated public employment can produce housing conditions that weaken the workforce base on which administrative efficiency depends. Focusing on Putrajaya, Malaysia’s federal administrative capital, it examines the relationship between housing market disequilibrium, financial resilience, and workforce operational readiness. Drawing on survey evidence from 388 public servants, the findings show that perceived housing disequilibrium is strongly associated with weaker financial resilience and lower operational readiness. The association with operational readiness is partly accounted for by financial resilience, while the remaining direct association is consistent with additional non-financial pathways. The study contributes to urban-planning and governance debates by reframing workforce housing in planned capitals as administrative infrastructure rather than residual welfare.

DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE FEATURES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING MODEL BASED ON OCCUPANTS' PERCEIVED HOUSEHOLD COST BURDEN REDUCTION

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Housing affordability has evolved beyond housing purchase prices to include long-term operating and maintenance costs. Although sustainable housing features are recognised for improving environmental performance, limited evidence exists on which features effectively reduce household cost burdens in stratified affordable housing. This study identifies the Sustainable Features of Affordable Housing that contribute to Perceived Household Cost Burden Reduction (PHCBR) among occupants of affordable housing schemes in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. A quantitative approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 385 respondents. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed to examine the influence of sustainable housing features on PHCBR. The findings indicate that 15 sustainable housing features significantly contribute to reducing occupants' perceived household cost burdens, with LED lighting in common areas, motion sensor lighting, and energy-efficient lifts emerging as the strongest predictors. The regression model explained 65.7% of the variance in PHCBR (R² = 0.657), indicating strong explanatory power. Based on these findings, the study proposes the Sustainable Features of Affordable Housing Model, comprising four sustainability pillars: Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. The proposed model provides practical guidance for developers and policymakers in prioritising sustainable housing features that enhance long-term housing affordability and financial sustainability.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT DECISION-MAKING CHALLENGES AMONG GOVERNMENT-LINKED INVESTMENT COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA

Fatin Aziz, Yasmin Mohd Adnan, Noorame Mohd Foudzy, Zarita Ahmad Baharum — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Institutional real estate investment decisions in emerging economies remain underexplored, particularly among government-linked entities that must balance commercial returns with broader national development mandates. Although Malaysia government-linked investment companies (GLICs) are among the country’s dominant institutional investors in the commercial real estate market, the challenges influencing their real estate investment decisions remain insufficiently understood. This study examines the challenges that influence real estate investment decisions among Malaysian GLICs. A qualitative study design was adopted, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 15 key informants directly involved in real estate investment decision-making. Thematic analysis identified challenges across two broad dimensions, namely internal and external. Internal challenges include organisational and structural constraints, behavioural biases such as herding and home bias, and social and sustainable challenges, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pressure and ambitious development. External challenges comprise political and geopolitical risk, macroeconomic challenges, real estate market constraints, and regulatory and legal requirements. These findings reveal a dual mandate tension between achieving risk-adjusted returns and fulfilling socio-political obligations. This study contributes to the limited literature on institutional real estate investment challenges in emerging economies and offers practical implications for fund managers, policymakers, and regulators seeking to enhance institutional real estate investment practices in Malaysia.

INTEGRATING FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS FEATURES INTO BANKING OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS: EVIDENCE FROM KUALA LUMPUR CITY CENTRE

Shirley Jin Lin Chua, Kasturi Anpalanan, Azlan Shah Ali, Nik Elyna Myeda — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The rapid adoption of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) has transformed workplace planning and office design, requiring organisations to develop work environments that better support evolving employee needs. Although the banking sector has increasingly embraced hybrid and flexible working models, limited research has examined the integration of FWAs features within urban banking offices. This study investigates the implementation of FWAs features in commercial banking offices in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to identify workplace characteristics associated with employee satisfaction and inform future workplace planning strategies. A quantitative approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire survey administered to 250 employees working in commercial bank headquarters located in Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate employees' perceived satisfaction and expectations, followed by gap analysis to identify discrepancies between current workplace provision and employee expectations. Pearson correlation analysis was subsequently conducted to examine the relationships between FWAs features and employee satisfaction, followed by multiple linear regression analysis to identify the unique predictive contribution of individual FWAs features. The findings indicate that although FWAs features are moderately available, employees consistently reported higher expectations than their current workplace experiences. Substantial expectation–experience gaps were identified across all six FWAs features, particularly in smart workplace technologies, wellness spaces, collaboration zones, and privacy and focus areas. Furthermore, all FWAs features demonstrated significant positive relationships with employee satisfaction, while multiple regression analysis showed that Smart Tools and Technology Support, Flexible Workstations, Privacy and Focus Areas, and Remote Work Support were significant positive predictors of employee satisfaction. This study contributes to workplace planning and office design literature by providing empirical evidence on the FWAs features associated with and significantly predicting employee satisfaction in the Malaysian banking sector. The findings offer practical guidance for office designers, facilities managers, HR departments and banking organisations in developing more flexible, employee-centred, and hybrid work supportive office environments through closer alignment between physical workplace design and FWA policies.

INFLUENCE OF MIHRAB GEOMETRY ON ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIAN MOSQUES USING COMPUTER SIMULATION

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Acoustic quality is essential in mosque architecture as it influences speech intelligibility and worshippers' auditory experience. Although the mihrab is a prominent architectural element, its contribution to the overall acoustic performance of mosques remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluates the influence of mihrab geometry on the acoustic performance of six Malaysian mosques using ODEON room acoustic simulation. Three acoustic parameters, namely Sound Pressure Level (SPL), Speech Transmission Index (STI), and Reverberation Time (RT), were analysed to compare different mihrab configurations. The findings reveal that variations in mihrab geometry have only a limited effect on acoustic performance, whereas prayer hall volume, ceiling configuration, and surface materials exert greater influence on speech intelligibility and sound distribution. The study highlights the importance of considering holistic architectural design strategies in mosque planning while preserving traditional mihrab forms. These findings provide practical guidance for architects, planners, and conservation practitioners in designing and conserving acoustically effective mosque environments.

PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ADOPTING SMART AND PARTICIPATORY SYSTEM ON FLOOD RISK REDUCTION: CASE STUDY OF SURABAYA FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Smart system and participatory process become buzz words in disaster risk management highlighting the importance of those concepts in reducing the impact of disasters effectively. Surabaya, like other cities, put a lot of effort to implement them in their administrative process especially in flood risk management. Apparently, the integration between smart system and participatory process in flood risk management need further improvements. 10 problems typologies have been formulated based on the discussion within 12 key stakeholders from government, private sectors, media, academia and community groups. Based on MICMAC analysis, the problems are structured resulting the improvement of policy direction became the key driver problem that can influent to all others problem. The policy direction becomes the umbrella to establish a proper smart and participatory system in flood risk management. 6 others are relay variables that can change other problem partially. Those relay variables are more on the technical problem on how the system applied such as data availability and human resource capacity. While excluded variables are perceived as latent social enablers. Those variables are significant once the system has been established. Without solving the excluded variables, the value of smart-participative management can be jeopardized.

ENHANCING URBAN RESILIENCE THROUGH SOCIAL VALUE: THE EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT OF COMMUNITIES TO TUNJUNGAN’S HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The idea of community attachment towards a particular place can be viewed from the perspective of social values. In this case, it plays an important role for heritage conservation and urban resilience. Tunjungan, a city center area in Surabaya, Indonesia, has been categorized as a conservation area containing many significant historical buildings such as Siola, Majapahit Hotel, Locaahands Cafe, and Tanjung Anom Corridor. These buildings have not only been categorized as having historical, architectural, and artistic significance but also contain a high social value which stands for a tie to the people in the area and identity of the city. This study aims at understanding how social value operates within the framework of urban resilience, and more specifically in the context of the impacts of globalization and urban pressure. To better understand stakeholders’ emotional connections to specific buildings, this study employed a qualitative intersubjective approach through spatial walkthroughs, focus group discussions (FGDs), and in-depth interviews. Johnston’s framework was applied to map community emotional attachment and identify social value characteristics along Jalan Tunjungan. The findings indicate that buildings with strong historical narratives and ties to personal and collective experiences generate higher emotional attachment. Collective memory, routine activities, spatial experiences, and adaptive building functions collectively shape social values in this historic corridor, reinforcing community engagement and attachment. The study concludes that integrating social value into conservation and management strategies is essential for preserving the unique character and resilience of historic areas like Tunjungan, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.

GEOTECHNICAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF SUBSURFACE CAVITIES IN LIMESTONE FORMATIONS USING 2D ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TOMOGRAPHY (ERT) FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN KAMPAR, PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN, MALAYSIA

Audra Irlyssa Irwan, Noor Halizah Abdullah, Saidatul Nadirah Amir — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Subsurface cavities in limestone formations poses hazardous risks to infrastructure from sudden ground movement, subsidence, and structural failure. These cavities form mainly from natural dissolution of carbonate rocks. Traditional methods like borehole drilling are costly, limited in resolution, and require many boreholes to cover large areas. To address this, the utilisation of 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) as a non-invasive geophysical technique to investigate potential subsurface voids at a proposed site in Taman Bandar Baru, Mukim Kampar, Daerah Kampar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia. Three survey profiles (L-1,L-2, L-3) were conducted using a dipole-dipole array, and data were analysed with RES2DInv software to produce subsurface resistivity profiles. Geological formations identified through resistivity ranges revealed weakly consolidated soils, weathered or fractured limestone bedrock, and water-filled cavities, all indicating potential instability. A risk matrix applied to each profile confirmed that zones with groundwater activity and voids pose a high collapse risk to surface layers. The study highlights the value of early ERT and geotechnical risk assessments for guiding mitigation strategies, recommending continuous monitoring, adapted designs, and best practices to reduce hazards.

ANALYSIS ON SOCIAL WELL-BEING INDICATORS: A CASE STUDY OF KETENGAH DISTRICT IN MALAYSIA

Muhammad Khairulhamizan Md Nazir, Noor Suzilawati Rabe, Mariana Mohamed Osman — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Social well-being is a multidimensional construct reflecting the quality of life experienced by individuals and families across economic, housing, educational, health, safety and community dimensions. Although Malaysia has formulated the Family Well-Being Index (FWBI) to track these dimensions on the national level, limited research has examined on how the framework can be localized in the semi-rural settings. This paper uses the FWBI domains to examine the social well-being within the Central Terengganu Development Authority (KETENGAH) region, a predominantly semi-rural development region. Data were collected through a household survey supplemented by focus group discussions and interviews. To investigate the relationship between socio-economic characteristics and well-being scores, the mixed-methods methodology was used: descriptive statistics (the profiling of respondents), Relative Importance Index (RII) to compare satisfaction across indicators and correlation analysis to assess the relationship. The findings identified lower satisfaction in several economic and infrastructural areas, particularly income adequacy, environmental services, transportation, and digital connectivity. Spearman’s rho analysis further identified statistically significant but generally weak-to-moderate associations between selected socioeconomic characteristics and well-being indicators. The findings demonstrate that national well-being frameworks should be adjusted to local settings and offer policy-relevant implications to enhance social well-being in semi-rural Malaysia.