By: NUR SYAFIQAH BINTI AZMAN, NURUL NADIA BINTI RUHBANI@ AFFENDY
and
ROSALIND YUKUN
INTRODUCTION
The term"Bright Green Island's Core" refers to the growth
of Langkawi, harmony, freshness and nature. The term means a
clean, healthy and safe environment for all citizens, visitors and
for generations to come. It also means to create a sustainability
or urban areas, meeting with nature, restoring the values of urban
ecosystem of the green natural components.
FINDINGS
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Improper landuse growth trends and physical development caused problems
-
Not enough affordable housing for the local people.
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Illegal activities and the lack of environment consideration in existing development .
-
dilapidated building and rundown areas affect the visual quality of the town.
-
The need to intensify the tourism sector as it is the main economic contribution to Langkawi and Kuah town.
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Lack of services and facilities to the public and visitors.
VISION
"Kuah as a Captivating Green Town in 2035"
GOAL
Transforming Kuah into a green town that prioritize on resilience,
authenticity, and inclusivity while
treasuring the identity of Langkawi
OBJECTIVES
In order to achieve the vision and
goal, three objectives are formulated:
- To boost the commercial activities and provide conducive shopping environment.
- To uphold the image of duty-free island by enhancing service for local and foreign tourists while protecting the natural environments,
- To ensure inclusivity of all people including the disabled throughout the town center by adopting universal design principles.
SITE BACKGROUND
Kuah is a town for Langkawi
district. The study area is 810.00 hectares (8,100,00 km square) and
under the administration of Langkawi Municipal Council (MPLBP). It is
located about 30 km from mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. This
islands are a part of Kedah state, which is adjacent to Thai Border.
There is no road connection all the to Langkawi. Therefore, Langkawi can
be reach by sea and air. Langkawi known for its natural beauty and is a
local and foreign tourists attraction.
Figure 1. The proposed site located at Kuah, Langkawi
DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT
The development that will be created is a development of Kuah as a green
town, emphasizing the resilience, authenticity and inclusiveness that
values Langkawi's identity.
Figure 3. The Bubble Diagram of Bright Green Island's Core
Concept
CONCEPT PLAN
The aim of this development is transforming Kuah town into a green town
with incorporating the green elements in development
strategies. Therefore, there are three types of development implemented in Kuah town.
It includes new development, revitalize and preservation area. The new
development to be developed in study area covers an area of about 15.63
hectares. This development includes new residential area,
commercial, and facilities. Meanwhile, revitalize area covers 71.27
hectares. Revitalization is needed in commercial and recreation area to
increase the visual quality of Kuah town while preservation area covers an
area about 205.01 hectares. Preservation area includes commercial,
recreation, agriculture and village area.
Figure 4. The Concept Plan of Bright Green Island's Core
Singapore
Singapore an island which named Asia's greenest city in 2016. Singapore
calls itself the Garden City, and it's making good on that promise.
Singapore's strategy has been to create a garden city with abundant lush
greenery and a clean environment to make life more pleasant for the people.
Singapore's meteoric economic rise launched a landscape of towering
architecture in the compact city-state, but as the metropolis continues to
grow. New developments must include plant life, in the form of green roofs,
cascading vertical gardens, and verdant walls. Housing business development
include atrium, scenic pedestrian walkways, green walls, and ceilings.
Building are designed from ground up to maximize energy efficiency and
reduce waste.
Melaka
Melaka has made greate strides towards building sustainable, green city.
The urban landscape has also change. Formerly a trade hub with rich
multicultural heritage, accessible neighborhoods with mixed use
development have increased foot traffic and reduce car usage in
developing countries. The Melaka River, one a polluted drainage canal, is
now popular gathering place and tourist attraction. A "green" city means
an area that is resilient and inclusive, managed its natural resources
well, promotes low carbon growth to remain competitive, and improve the
livelihoods of all citizens.
Figure 5. The Green City in Singapore and Melaka Town
Source:
https:www.tripsavvy.com/walking-tour-through-historical-melaka-1629562
STRATEGIES AND IDEAS
1. Provide a clean and resilient affordable houses
Affordable housing provided with all basic amenities and a good living for
local people. The types of affordable housing is terrace house. Affordable
houses is provided for the local people especially whose income is below the
median household income.
2. Create new shopping center
Shopping center that offer the services within the centre, such as customer
service points, rest areas and other services that compliment the shopping
process, provide for the greater shopper convenience. Provide the
entertainment by the shopping cenre in other to promote enjoyable shopping
which is increasingly valued by consumers. Located in suitable locations for
new shopping centre development that attractive and accessible.
3. Provide multi-level car stack to accommodate an increasing number of
vehicles and thus reduce congestion rates in Kuah town.
To overcome the issues of traffic congestion around Jetty Kuah, new
developments like providing multi-level car stack are needed. This is
because the existing parking area could not cope with the increasing number
of vehicles and most vehicles are parked by the side of the road which
contributes to congestion. In addition, the existing parking area has also
become a taxi and tenant parking. In short, this multi-level car stack
facilities makes tenants easier to park safely.
4. Efficient public transport system
There is no existing public transport at Kuah town. The high rate of
private vehicles ownership contributes to traffic congestion and also
contributes to the emissions of air pollutants. Therefore, it is important
to introduce public transit especially bus services at Kuah because public
transport can play a pivotal role in alleviating the traffic congestion
issue.
5. Improve the walking and cycling experience
The comfort pedestrian walkway and cycling is aim to approach the
community practice the healthy lifestyle take walk and cycling to apply the
green concept of Bright Green Island's Core while reduce the traffic
congestion. The pedestrian walkway and cycling designed with the nature
elements such as trees, a safe and attractive cycle way in order to attract
the maximum usage of the pedestrians and cyclist. It also looking into
making cycling a popular exercise for all ages and walks of life as well as
providing open spaces and recreation facilities along this route. Pedestrian
path and bicycle lane encourage society to walk and cycle, thus reduce the
number of vehicles on road which contributes to .
6. Revitalize parks and recreations
Dataran Lang and Lagenda park is a great place to visit in Kuah. Therefore, both this recreation area should be upgraded by providing more convenience facilities for visitors such as toilets, parking area. It is because there are no facilities in Lagenda Park like toilets and there is no car park right in front of Lagenda Park. Besides that, add more street furniture in Dataran Lang area like fountains and more green areas such as trees.
DETAILS LAYOUT
NEW DEVELOPMENT
1. Proposed Affordable Housing Development to meet the needs of Local
People
Affordable House at Kampung Bakau
The proposed affordable house located at Kampung Bakau near Jalan
Padang Mat Sirat. This new development of affordable house may cover 7.09
acre. This affordable houses concept with resilient and green city
concept. The building pf design concept houses do more than just create a
good living space. Instead, the new affordable housing model incorporates
sustainable features that reduce construction maintenance costs,
technologies that help empower residents and connect them with
external resources, and greater respect for human scale and road
connectivity. The best role that design can play is to not define building
as affordable housing. Anything that we can do to get away from that helps
the community.
Affordable housing provided with image of resilient and modern green
concept. In short, affordable housing in this project has a green and safe
environment with ample facilities for is residents.This affordable houses
neighborhood will attract people in Kuah town to live in this area with full
of harmonious and peace in accordance with concept of "Bright Green
Island Core" where the landscape in their homes is surrounded by
trees. The purpose of this project is to provide housing units for the
middle income group to over come the not enough affordable houses in Kuah
with green, clean and harmonious lifestyle for the residents of this
area.
Figure 6. Schematic Plan of Proposed Affordable House at Kampung Bakau
Figure 7. Detail Layout of Proposed Affordable House at Kampung
Bakau
Figure 8. Illustration of Affordable House Kampung Bakau
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
Proposed Hypermarket near to MAHA Tower
Swoboda et al, 2007, has stated that from various authors perspectives the hypermarket can be defined as a self-service that sells a variety of
product brands, manufacturer product brands and generic products (Elsjerg
and Bech-Larsen, 2009). In result the expansive retail facility that carrying a wide range of
products under one rood, including full groceries lines and general
merchandise. Hypermarket also allow users to feel satisfy all their routine
shopping needs in one trip.
The Hypermarket Characteristic;
- Designing supermarket that blend into the neighborhood.
- Making more relaxing and sociable spaces.
- Going all-in on sustainable design.
Figure 9. Schematic Plan of Proposed Hypermarket
Figure 10. Detail Layout of Proposed Hypermarket
Figure 11. Illustration of Proposed Hypermarkert
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
Proposed Commercial Shop Lot at Kampung Pokok Asam
This proposed commercial area are located at Kampung Pokok Asam near Jalan Padang Mat Sirat road. Good commercial are providing for community uses, employment and access via development potential (David Ellis & Ryan Schwartz, 2016). This commercial area equipped with facilities like parking lot, and open space. This new commercial area has 122 units of shop lot which help create new job opportunities for local people and can make income of their life. The commercial area has provide 322 units of parking lot. Adequate parking lot enable visitors or tourist can park their car easily and feel safe.
Figure 12. Schematic Plan of New Commercial Area at Kampung Pokok Asam
Figure 13. Detail Layout of New Commercial Area at Kampung Pokok
Asam
Figure 14. Illustration of New Commercial Development at
Kampung Pokok Asam
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
3. Promotes Efficient Public Transport System as Main Transportation
for local people and visitors at Kuah
Traffic congestion is often occur at Kuah Town especially during peak
hours. The excessive number of private cars and rental cars contributes to
congestion problem and also emission pollutants. This may also due to the
absence provision of public transport options at Kuah. This situation
causing local people or visitors at Kuah depend on private or rental
vehicles to get around. To make smooth traffic flow, installation of public transport which is
bus services at Kuah is very vital to overcome this problem. A main goal
of public transport system at Kuah is to reduce the reliance on private
cars, make public transport more effective, and incentivise Kuah residents
and visitors to switch from private to public transport. A sufficient
number of bushes are offered with convenient routes.
The proposed bus terminal is located near Jetty Kuah. This may cover 2.16
acre. The area are converted from parking area to bus terminal area. The
strategic location of terminal bus will facilitate the movement of local and
foreign tourist when arriving in Kuah. For instance, they can go to hotel,
shopping and tourist spot with public transport.
Figure 15. Schematic Plan of Terminal Bus Near to Jetty Kuah
Figure 16. Master Plan of Bus Terminal Near to Jetty Kuah
The proposed routes of bus transport is with along Jalan Persiaran
Putera and Jalan Ayer Hangat. There is 11 place of passenger drof-off
and pick-up point proposed. The point location is located at strategic
location. It is located at recreation area at Taman Lagenda Park and
CHOGM park, commercial area at Kuah town center, Pusat Dagangan kelana
Mas and Haji Ismail Group, residential area at Kampung Pokok Asam,
Kelibang, Kampung Bakau, Tman Mawar and Taman Seroja.
Figure 17. The Proposed Routes of Bus Service at Kuah
The bus will provided a special lane which only a bus can use it. A
special lane is an effective method to speed up the bus because travel
time reduces when these lanes are introduced. When dedicated bus lanes are
introduced, the use of public transport is expected to be well received by
residents. The introduction of public transport at Kuah will result in
fewer cars on road. Fewer cars on road will result in decrease of traffic
congestion.This translate to reduce pollutants. public transport also
reduce emission which greatly decreases the development of smog in Kuah
town. This mean that people in Kuah have healthier air to breathe and live
peacefully.
Figure 18. Illustrations of Public Transport Facilities
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
The demand for parking spaces is rising continuously especially in towns,
but the spaces available are often limited in number. This multi- storey car
parking building is customised solution for the issues of traffic congestion
around Jetty Kuah. The new development of parking building was provided two
time more parking space compare to off-street parking.
Criteria for the quality multi-storey car parks area;
- Safety in use
- Clear visibility
- Easy to remember the location of their vehicle parking
- Clear views to the outside
- Good natural lighting and ventilation
-
Figure 20. Detail layout of Multi-Storey Car Park
Figure 21. Illustration of Multi-Storey Car Park
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
Figure 22. Illustration of Multi-Storey Car Park Facilities
Source: https://chesternorthgate.com/whats-next/multi-storey-carpark/
REVITALIZATION
Buildings condition of the shop lots need to improve because the environment looks old and certain shop lot not open or not active. New commercial redevelopment can impact the residential market. People more attract with the new surroundings buildings design. If the commercial is run down and partially abandoned it sends a negative signal about the quality of the whole neighborhood. The improvement of the commercial will give more impact with new design, paint, material and improve the activities encourage people to have a work.
Figure 23. Commercial Revitalization at Kuah City Center
Figure 24. Illustration of Shop Lot that need to Upgrade to Create an Attractive
Place to Buy Some Goods and Need.
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
Pusat Dagangan Kelana Mas
The dilapidated building and rundown areas at Pusat Dagangan Kelana Mas
Should be upgraded to increase the quality of Kuah town and to support local
business efforts. The revitalization commercial area at Pusat Dagangan
Kelana Mas includes storefront improvement, adequate parking lot in front of
commercial that are set a great distance from the road, and
streetscape improvement to make it attractive and life, attractive various
business activities.
Figure 25. Master plan of Commercial at Pusat Dagangan Kelana Mas
Figure 26. Illustrations Building and Lake at Pusat Dagangan Kelana Mas
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
Commercial Area Along Jalan Ayer Hangat
The commercial area was close with pedestrian walk and bus stop. This commercial area has 60 unit of shophouse that can people in Bandar Kuah make an income and buy a things. It also make Bandar Kuah as city that can provide a lot of opportunity job in Bandar Kuah. The commercial area has provide 68 unit parking car and motorcycle along the shop. The commercial area also close to bus stop and pedestrian walk that can visitor s and tourists easy to access and feel safe. The design of pedestrian walk with tree such as canopy tree suitable with resilient concept idea of Bright Green Island Core. The design bus stop is to prevent the users from hot and rain and the aim of design is to easy for the buses or taxi easy to find their customers (users).
Figure 27. Detail Layout of Commercial along Jalan Ayer Hangat
Figure 28. Illustration of Commercial along Jalan Ayer Hangat
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
Eagle Square
Dataran Lang or also known as Eagle square is one of the Langkawi best
known man-made attractions for local and foreign tourists. it is the
firrst sight visitors to will see when they arrive at Kuah. The eagle
statue is always a welcoming icon for every travellers coming into
Langkawi. Eagle Square is a perfect place t chill out and enjoy the
atmosphere of Kuah. To make Eagle Square more attractive, it should be
upgraded. So the proposed improvement at Eagle Square to make it more
attractive is add new street furniture like tree shades, bench, fountains
at entrance of Eagle Square,
Benefits of Eagle Square Revitalization;
- Attract more people. Attractive facilities and street furniture at Eagle Square can help to attract more people to this area.
- Increase pride in the Eagle Square area. When this area has good facilities and an aesthetic street furniture which make it more comfortable and attractive for the people who come there, it increase pride.
Figure 29. Master Plan of Eagle Square
Figure 30. Illustration of Landscape at Eagle Square
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
Legenda Park
The mini garden provided is aim to make people came at here, they can take a rest for a minute and this also can help people who came this garden area feeling so calm and enjoy the beautiful landscape in this area. The purpose the mini garden is to increase the landscape view in this area while take a deep in the historical ocean of Langkawi. The design of wall seating apply at there aim for increasing the street furniture for use of visitors and tourist after enjoying at this place. The wall seating design to give more safe and comfortable for visitors and tourists. Furthermore, the pedestrian walk in this area was small and the pedestrian walk might expanded to make it easier for visitors and tourists to walking and enjoy the greenery at this area. The aim of expand pedestrian walk is because, this place was the popular place that the visitors and tourist come for a holiday.
Figure 31. Master Plan of Lagenda Park
Figure 32. Illustration of Facilities at Lagenda Park
Source:
https://ww.langkawi.com/attractions/lagenda-park-and-museum &
https://www.langkawi-insight.com/langkawi_00007c.htm
Facilities such as sidewalks, bike lane facilities, well-designed road, lighting, as well as amenities such as street trees and street furniture play the role to create a quality of lifestyle in Kuah, Langkawi. Well design follow the guidelines for the 20 meter to 30 meter of road. Bike routes are another strategies that help connect the neighborhoods, bicycle facilities help to encourage bike ridership easier to cycling. The street furniture create an attractive vibe for the community.
Figure 33. The Proposed Pedestrian and Bike Lane
Figure 34. Illustration of Pedestrian and Bike Lane
Source: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/?hl=n
PRESERVATION
1. Preserve Green Areas to Protect the Natural Environments
Being an island densely populated with tropical rainforest, Kuah has some
fascinating greenery to show. About 205.01 hectares area will preserved at
Kuah town. It includes, forest, recreation, commercial and residential
area especially village area. Most of the preserved are green areas. Green
area should be preserved to maintain the beauty of nature in Langkawi
especially at Kuah town. It is accordance with the concept to transforming
Kuah town into a green town in future.
Green areas in Kuah town provide many environmental and economic benefits
that can lead to improved environmental quality and society health.
These benefits include improvement of air and water quality, coorler
temperatures, and reductions in building energy use, and noise.
Figure 35. Illustration of Preserved Area at Zone 1 and Zone
2
Figure 36. Illustration of Preserved Area at Zone 3
Figure 37. Existing Landuse of choosen area
Figure 38. The Bright Green Island"s Core ideas and strategies
development
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, towns like Kuah are rapidly turning into developed urban centers
and need proper planning to enhance the growth of more developed cities. The planning of this Kuah town is with the aim of developing Kuah as a developed and modern city by practicing the green elements to captivating Kuah into green town in future. In addition, Kuah town is a town that is open to many tourist from many countries. The modern green concept adopted in the development of the town is to maintain Langkawi Island sustainability.
REFERENCES
City of Winston-Salem. (2006). Revitalizing Urban Commercial Areas. Retrieved from
https://www.cityofws.org/DocumentCenter/View/786/Revitalizing-Urban-Commercial-Areas-Study-03-2006-PDF
David Ellis & Ryan Schwartz. (2016). The Roles of an Urban Parks System.
Retrieved from
http://worlurbansparks.org/images/Documents/The-Role-of-an-Urban-Parks-System.pdf
Khairunnur Bt Md Shakri, Laily Bt Khairuddin. (2008). Multi Storey Parking.
Retrieved from https://www.sefindia.org/forum/files/2194924-8-multi-storey-car-parking-pdf
M. Burinskiene. (2014). The Impact of Public Transport Lanes on the Operating Speeds of Bus. Retrieved from
https://www.reserchgate.net/publication/269224712_The_Impact_of_Public_Transport_Lanes_on_the_Operating_Speed_of_Buses
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