COMPLETION REPORTThe Implementation of “Machinoeki” Concept in Malaysia’s Historical Town
Dr. Yong Adilah Binti Shamsul Harumain
Senior Lecturer
University Malaya

Machinoeki Malaysia has embarked a great journey in 2017 with an objective to learn about Machinoeki
concept and introduce the concept in Malaysia. The aim is to implement the concept in Malaysia and tounderstand more about the challenges. The research started with an inventory study at 33 historical building inTaiping town. The objective of the inventory study is to identified the condition of the building and if the buildings
possess the elements of Machinoeki. From the inventory, we found that 12 historical buildings have the minimum
requirement as Machinoeki station. The concept was accepted with warm welcome by the Mayor and the officiationof Machinoeki Malaysia was launched in December, 2017. The officiation of Machinoeki Malaysia received media
highlights in the national television (RTM news) and newspaper (Shimotsuke Shinbun, Berita Harian and etc). The
research continues with the selection of buildings as pilot study as to see the impact of Machinoeki in Taiping town.
All 12 historical building owners were interviewed and brief about the concept. 5 building owners came to the FGD
session between Taiping Local Authority and the researcher. Machinoeki Japan representative, Ms Yoshida Keikowas also in Malaysia to learn about the progress. In order to increase the promotion of Machinoeki, other medium
such as Facebook were also used to educate people about Machinoeki. The researcher also managed to collect 38
respondents in Utsunomiya city and a lot of inputs were gained during the survey. In March, 2018, the researcher
conducted a second survey to know the impact of this concept in Taiping after 3 months from its officiation date.
The researcher found that people in Taiping town do not walk as much as people in Japan. 16 respondents were
specifically selected from different age, gender and background to study about Machinoeki impact in Taiping and
90% of them agree about Machinoeki concept but more than 50% of them did not walk in Taiping town in daily
basis. Although that they think walking is good in general, the morphology and land use pattern does not encouragethem to walk. The public transportation needs to be improved and more effort should be done to encourage people
to start walking. The respondents also think that walking in Taiping town is dangerous due to the heavy traffic, grid
junction’s road design and lack of safety. In conclusion, the implementations of Machinoeki concept in Taiping town
need more than just building owners’ willingness to participate. The successful of this concept needs a high volumeof pedestrian walking in town and to use Machinoeki (resting area, toilets and information center). More time should
also be given to Machinoeki Malaysia to develop and to be success. The grant provides first platform for theresearcher to educate people in Malaysia about this great concept. In conclusion, the implementation of thisconcept is also potential in other town that need revitalization as it encourages more connection between thecommunities, local authority and to reduce the use of vehicle on the road.

Publication of the Results of Research Project:
Verbal Presentation (Date, Venue, Name of Conference, Title of Presentation, Presenter, etc.)
1. National conference on Integrated Urban Planning 2017, Pullman Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, November 2017, The
Implementation of Machinoeki in Taiping Town, Poster presentation.
2. Article publication in ASIA RESEARCH NETWORK, March 2018
http://www.researchsea.com/html/article.php/aid/11526/cid/6/research/people/university_of_malaya/the_implemen
tation_of_machinoeki_concept_in_malaysia_historical_town.html
Article publication in the newspaper:
Shimotsuke Shinbun, March, 6th 2018
http://www.sinarharian.com.my/kampus/penyelidik-um-laksana-konsep-machinoeki-1.788417
https://www.hmetro.com.my/nuansa/2018/02/312207/suasana-mesra-konsep-machinoekihttp://kampusuols.com/article/87/Uni-Kita/AKTIVITI-PENSYARAH/Machinoeki-bakal-melanda-Malaysia?Apakah
Submitted for conference presentation:
3. International Conference on Rebuilding Places in September, 2018
Thesis (Name of Journal and its Date, Title and Author of Thesis, etc.)
1. In progress (undergraduate thesis on adaptive building use in Taiping)
2. Coffee table book (in progress)
Book (Publisher and Date of the Book, Title and Author of the Book, etc.)
In progress waiting for review (waiting):
1. Submitted for publication at IRSPSD International Journal
Title : The Potential of Machinoeki in Shifting The Community Mindset about Walking
In writing progress due 2018, Dec:
2. The Challenges of Implementing Machinoeki Concept in Taiping Town.
3. Restoring Town Revitalization and the Impacts of Walking In Town.