bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping forest cover change in relation to oil palm commodities development using Google Earth Engine in the Leuser Ecosystem
Authors: Rafina Ihwan , Prasetyo Lilik Budi
Published: December 2023

The Leuser ecosystem is a vital biodiversity hotspot providing essential ecosystem services to local communities in Asia. It encompasses diverse landscapes, from rainforests to coastal ecosystems and peatlands. However, human activities, particularly deforestation for palm oil plantations, have severely impacted Leuser ecosystem’s ecological balance. This study analyzes land cover changes in Leuser ecosystem between 2016 and 2022, using satellite imagery from platforms like Sentinel-1 and Landsat 8 on Google Earth Engine. During this period, forest cover decreased by 2.8%, while oil palm plantations expanded by 3.15%, with 23,404 hectares of forested land converted. Unregulated activities by small-scale farmers accounted for 73% of this conversion. The accuracy assessment of the land use classification showed moderate accuracy in 2016, with an overall accuracy of 64.95% and a kappa coefficient of 0.388. However, in 2022, the accuracy improved significantly, with an overall accuracy of 73.20% and a kappa coefficient of 0.520. Though land use classification accuracy improved from 2016 to 2022, more robust monitoring and regulation are necessary to address the threats posed by palm oil development. Striking a balance between economic development and environmental preservation in Leuser ecosystem requires sustainable palm oil practices and conservation initiatives.
Detecting land use land cover using supervised maximum likelihood algorithm on spatiotemporal imagery in Samarinda, Indonesia
Authors: Agus F , Prafanto A , Kamil Z A
Published: December 2023

Land use change commonly has an impact on urban areas. The land use and land cover (LULC) model should be used to address land problems. Land conversion is inextricably linked to Samarinda, Indonesia, the administrative center of the province of East Kalimantan. Additionally, this city serves as the new capital city’s Ibu Kota Nusantara-specific buffer zone. The current study aims to find and assess Samarinda City’s LULC. A supervised maximum likelihood technique was used to extract this data from spatiotemporal images. Both spatial and non-spatial data about changes in LULC are used in this study. The imagery data for the Samarinda region includes Landsat 5, 7, and 9 images from 1994 to 2022, along with administrative maps and GPS measurement data enabling on-the-ground checkpoints. Before classification analysis, radiometric and atmospheric correction, cropping, and layer stacking procedures were used to treat the image data. In supervised classification, the maximum likelihood method is applied to the four land classes of uncultivated vegetation, cultivated vegetation, waterbodies, and land with buildings. The research result indicates that the number of uncultivated land classes decreased by 6.38 percent and the percentage of cultivated land decreased by 5.52 percent, according to the study’s findings. On the other hand, the proportion of water bodies increased by 2.39 percent, and the proportion of built-up land classes increased by 9.51 percent. The overall and kappa accuracy test’s average value is 97.67%, higher than the required minimum of 75%.
Forest resilience research using remote sensing and GIS – A systematic literature review
Authors: Risna Rosniati A , Prasetyo Lilik Budi , Lughadha Eimear Nic , Aidi Muhammad Nur , Buchori Damayanti , Latifah Dian
Published: December 2023

Forest resilience assessment is increasingly important given the current global environmental change. However, attributes and indicators to quantify forest resilience still need to be explored. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques are widely applied for forest resilience modeling. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to obtain insights concerning methods for quantifying forest resilience using RS/GIS. VosViewer and Bibliometrix R software were applied to analyze 117 articles from the Web of Science global database covering a period of 2011-2021. Using inclusion-exclusion criteria, 31 studies were examined, covering local, regional, and transnational ecosystem types. Satellite devices were used in 28 studies, whilst GIS dataset frameworks were used in the remaining studies. Multiple satellites and sensors were preferable to maximize results for modeling forest resilience. To estimate resilience, ecological attributes (above-ground biomass, tree-ring, and basal area increments) and remote-sensing derived indicators (vegetation indices, forest cover changes, deforestation rates, and forest productivity) were analyzed using conventional statistical tests or machine learning techniques. Studies combined experiments, observations, and process-based models demonstrated better results. Scale and resolution, indicator uncertainty, and data availability were among the constraints reported using RS/GIS. Therefore, a standardized framework for forest resilience assessment incorporating field observation with RS/GIS is needed.
Reducing methane and nitrous oxide production in different soil types through utilizing Turmeric Rhizome (Curcuma domestica Val)
Authors: Harsanti Elisabeth Srihayu , Wihardjaka Anicetus , Ardiwinata Asep Nugraha
Published: December 2023

Indonesia is rich in flora diversity which is used to support agricultural development. One of the useful plants in agricultural cultivation is turmeric rhizome. Turmeric rhizome (Curcuma domestica Val) is a natural ingredient that can function as an inhibitor of the production of methane and nitrous oxide in the soil. A laboratory experiment aimed to determine the potential of turmeric rhizome on the production rate of CH4 and N2O in different soil types. The experiment used a completely randomized factorial design with 3 replications, the treatment was soil type factor and nitrification inhibitor factor. The rate of GHG production (methane and nitrous oxide) in the application of nitrification inhibitors (NI), both natural (turmeric rhizome) and commercial (DCD) was lower than without the application of NI on Inceptisols, Vertisols, and Alfisols. Turmeric rhizome natural ingredients provide promising prospects that are cheap and easy to obtain as an inhibitor of the rate of CH4 and N2O production for paddy fields.
Use of coal ash- and lignite-enriched compost to improve soil biological properties and reduce pineapple disease in Ultisols of Central Lampung
Authors: Widyastuti R , Iskandar I , Ratdiana R , Raniah D L
Published: December 2023

Ultisols used for pineapple cultivation are classified as suboptimal lands because of their low soil fertility. Application of compost enriched with other soil ameliorants, such as coal ash in the form of fly ash, bottom ash (FABA), and lignite, can be a good alternative to improve soil properties, including increasing the soil microbial and fauna populations, which play an important role in improving soil fertility and reducing the incidence of pineapple disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of FABA- and lignite-enriched compost on microbial and earthworm populations and the incidence of pineapple disease. FABA- and lignite-enriched compost at a dose of 50 tons/ha was applied using a spread-and-row technique in the pineapple plantation area in Central Lampung. The parameters observed included the microbial population (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Actinomycetes, Trichoderma), functional microbial populations (nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing microbes, siderophore producers), earthworm population, and incidence of pineapple diseases (marbling, brown spot, cork spot, and pink diseases). Generally, all treatments with FABA- and lignite-enriched compost showed better results than the control for all observed parameters. The treatment of FABA-enriched compost applied with a row technique was the best compared to other treatments because it tended to increase the population of Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Actinomycetes, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, as well as earthworm abundance and biomass. In addition, in this treatment, there was no incidence of pineapple fruit disease. The abundance of earthworms and soil microbes, especially Pseudomonas was one of the factors which can create a healthier soil ecosystem to suppress the incidence of pineapple diseases.
Transformation of the p53 plasmid carrying Cas9 to Chili Callus (Capsicum annum) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Bagus F R M , Nova B , Syukur S , Jamsari J
Published: December 2023

Geminivirus is a virus that causes curly yellow disease in chili plants, which causes yield losses ranging from 20-100%. CRISPR/Cas9 facilitates the development of virus-resistant plants using genetic engineering technology. In this study, the process of transferring the plasmid p53/Cas9 to Agrobacterium was executed using the freeze-thawing technique. To validate the achievement of the transformation, an amplification process utilizing specific primers and an in-out primer combination was performed. We have achieved a transformation efficiency of 60%, as indicated by the PCR detection analysis of the putative recombinant callus. This outcome serves as a crucial starting point for the subsequent stages involved in transforming the p53 plasmid containing the Cas9 gene into chili (Capsicum annum) via Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
3D Kriging interpolation for traffic noise visualization: designing noise observation points and valuation of spatial interpolation accuracy
Authors: Wickramathilaka N , Ujang U
Published: December 2023

Identifying the risk of traffic noise is vital in minimizing traffic noise pollution in urban areas. As noise travels in every direction, 3D visualization of traffic noise is essential, which involves visualising traffic noise along the facades of buildings. A standard traffic noise model is necessary to calculate traffic noise levels, as several factors affect traffic noise. Moreover, designing noise observation points in 3D and spatial interpolation play significant roles in 3D noise visualisation. Therefore, this study demonstrates the results by elaborating on the spatial interpolation and designing noise observation points. A noise observation point consists of four parameters in 3D space. Generally, Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), Triangular Irregular Network (TIN), and Kriging do not support the interpolation of four parameters in 3D. However, 3D Kriging in Empirical Bayesian Kriging provides significant opportunities to interpolate noise levels in 3D. However, the elements of the function of spatial interpolations are vital for accuracy. The 3D Kriging uses different variograms according to semivariance. This variogram directly impacts the weighting factor of 3D Kriging. Therefore, this study develops a comparison to identify the impact of different variograms on the accuracy of 3D Kriging interpolation on traffic noise.
Adaptation 4D and 5D BIM for BIM/GIS data integration in construction project management
Authors: Wan Abdul Basir Wan Nor Fa’aizah , Ujang Uznir , Majid Zulkepli
Published: December 2023

Construction project management contains a sequence of activities such as planning, completing, scheduling and cost estimation. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the technologies that can be used to manage the complexity of construction documentation. BIM provides a digital visualization of building structures in three dimensional (3D) and store all the geometric and semantic data likes construction element, material properties, construction details, and schedules but lacking feature like geospatial analyses. Geographic Information System (GIS) can apply in construction project to overcome the limitation because GIS can offer advantages in route design, cost estimation, site layout, material layout design and construction planning. Therefore, integration BIM/GIS is recommended to produce an operational of construction project management. This paper presents the advantages of BIM-based in term of scheduling (4D BIM) and cost estimation (5D BIM) in the scope of project management to control the time efficiency and cost saving during the construction process. 4D and 5D BIM data were examine during data integration between BIM and GIS by using Feature Manipulation Engine to bring the gap in construction project management. 4D BIM data develop using Naviswork while 5D BIM developed using Autodesk Revit. GIS data management was used to maintain and update the construction database to assist the project planning.
An overview of predictive maintenance in relation to 2D and 3D Geographical Information System (GIS) for built environment
Authors: Hairuddin F I , Azri Suhaibah
Published: December 2023

Well-preserved buildings can be a great asset to the country, contributing to its economic growth. The lifespan of a building and its assets can be extended through proper maintenance. This will improve the longevity of its function, sustain its performance, and optimize maintenance costs. Predictive maintenance is a proactive approach to maintenance, as it is conducted based on the current operational state of equipment rather than average life statistics. It is generally implemented in building maintenance, machinery, and many other industries. While predictive maintenance has grown in application with artificial intelligence, digital twins, and machine learning, its application with geographical information systems (GIS) and 3D GIS have limitedly discussed. Geospatial predictive maintenance can be realized by integrating the asset's location with its maintenance semantic and temporal information. By incorporating geospatial thinking into the predictive framework, it can help optimize decision-making processes such as allocating maintenance costs based on calculating affected areas, visualizing the location of assets, understanding their interactions with meteorological events and virtual situations. Therefore, this paper will discuss a review of predictive maintenance in relation to GIS and 3D GIS.
A review of satellite-based monitoring of groundwater storage changes and depletion consequences
Authors: PengZhen Liu , Md Din Ami Hassan , Hamden Mohammad Hanif
Published: December 2023

Groundwater demand is increasing due to global population growth, climate change and rapid urbanization, however, poor planning and over-exploitation are leading to rapid depletion of groundwater, which in turn causes adverse impacts such as land subsidence, soil salinization and water quality deterioration. Groundwater storage (GWS) monitoring is essential to the sustainable management of regional water resources and the prevention of environmental and social issues associated with depleted groundwater resources. Conventional groundwater observation is primarily conducted through groundwater well-level measurements, which requires a lot of time and effort, and is insufficient to accurately reflect GWS changes regionally and monitor large-scale groundwater level changes. The availability of various satellite data makes it easier to study groundwater information effectively. The aim of this paper is to first review the seriousness of groundwater depletion, every year, 15% to 25% of the total global groundwater extraction is overexploited. Then, based on satellite geodetic technologies such as Gravity Restoration and Climate Experiment (GRACE), GRACE Follow-On, Sentinel-1, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), the basic principles of GWS monitoring are expounded. The reliability of the monitoring results was analyzed through the literature summary, showing that the results were basically consistent with the trends reflected by the measured groundwater samples, and the statistical significance of quantitative comparisons was higher than 0.65. The impact of the consequences of groundwater depletion also deserves our attention. This paper combined with multi-source satellite and tidal data, etc., the feasible research methods are discussed for a series of adverse consequences caused by groundwater depletion.
A review on the GIS usage in spatio-temporal risk assessment in asset management
Authors: Syafiq M , Azri S
Published: December 2023

Risk assessment for asset management is a process to analyse the potential risk that could affect the efficiency of operating assets. An effective risk assessment strategy depends on high-quality data and effective data analysis. To do so, risk assessment should take into consideration the spatial and temporal aspects of risks of physical assets in asset management for a data-driven decision-making. Failure to incorporate the spatial and temporal aspects in risk, when the risk possess spatio-temporal correlation, could lead to a defective estimation of assets risks. GIS can be used to analyse multidimensional information which includes 3D GIS, and spatio-temporal data (2D+t and 3D+t). Due to its superiority in handling multidimensional data, GIS is often a preferable tool to collect, manage, manipulate, and visualize spatio-temporal data to allow an accurate and informed analysis. The aim of this study is to uncover the use of GIS for risk assessment in asset management when spatial and temporal data are concerned. This study conduct a thorough review of previous research to look into the current development of asset management that utilizes a spatio-temporal approach for data collection, analysis, and 3D visualization for risk assessment. At the end of this study, we found that physical assets are affected by risk that possess spatio-temporal correlation. Several GIS techniques for data collection, analysis and visualization are found to provide a more effective analysis for assessing spatio-temporal risks. This paper concludes by providing a workflow that can be used by asset managers to assess risk spatio-temporally based on the findings of this study.
Assessment of Farmer Characteristics and Design Preferences on Location-based Pest and Disease Reporting Service for Digital Agriculture: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Osman Mohamad Jahidi , Idris Hawani , Majid Zulkepli , Mohd Salleh Mohd Radhie , Ismail Zamri
Published: December 2023

User interface design is critical for ensuring that agricultural technology is accessible and usable for farmers. Usability and accessibility for farmers can boost crop yields and lower losses. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the preferences and needs of farmers, particularly in terms of user interface design. This study examines the preferences of chili farmers for user interface elements in reporting chili pests and diseases and investigates how farmer characteristics (i.e. age categories and educational backgrounds) influence these preferences. Data was collected from a group of chili farmers in Batu Pahat using a survey instrument and field experimental tasks that list several user interface elements according to the tasks given in relation to disease and pest attack reporting information for chili crops. The study includes user interface-related tasks for online map services such as Google Maps and Waze, which aim to report the location of attacks. The study’s findings underscore the significance of user interface elements in shaping user experiences. Google Maps emerged as the favored navigation service, highlighting the importance of a straightforward and user-friendly interface. The study suggests that enhancing user knowledge of lesser-known functions can lead to higher satisfaction and loyalty. In agricultural applications, visual cues and intuitive design, exemplified by the “Picture Radio Button” and “Horizontal Date” elements, were well-received. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering farmers’ demographic characteristics in designing user interfaces for agricultural technology. By doing so, agricultural technology can be made more accessible and usable for farmers, ultimately leading to more effective management of chili pests and diseases. The findings of this research will yield advantages by aiding farmers, specifically in Malaysia, in transitioning into intelligent farmers, aligning with the objectives of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and the realization of smart agriculture in Malaysia. Furthermore, this endeavor is consistent with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiative aimed at digitizing farmers, encompassing smallholder farmers as well.
Comparison of different variable selection methods for predicting the occurrence of Metisa Plana in oil palm plantation using machine learning
Authors: Wang Y P , Idris N H , Muharam F M , Asib N , Lau Alvin M S
Published: December 2023

Monitoring and predicting the spatio-temporal distribution of crop pests and assessing related risks are crucial for effective pest management strategies. Machine learning techniques have shown potential in analysing agricultural data and providing accurate predictions. Variable selection plays a critical role in crop pest analysis by identifying the most informative and influential features that contribute to pest distribution and risk prediction. The current practice of choosing variable selection methods is mostly based on previous experience and may involve a certain degree of subjectivity. This paper aims to provide empirical comparisons of different variable selection methods for machine learning applications in crop pest spatio-temporal distribution and risk prediction. This study conducted various variable selection methods, including filter methods (information gain, chi-square test, mutual information), wrapper methods (RFE), and embedded methods (Random Forest), using worms pest (Metisa plana) in oil palm trees as the experimental subject. The initial set of variables included bioclimatic, vegetation indices, and terrain variables. The experimental results indicated that there was some overlap in the selected variables across different methods, bioclimatic variables (rainfall (RF), relative humidity (RH)) were selected as important variables by different methods; non-important variables like NDVI and elevation when added to the ANN modelling can clearly contribute to the improvement in prediction accuracy. These empirical findings can provide guidance for relevant data monitoring in the prediction of crop pest and disease outbreaks. Additionally, the results can serve as a reference for variable selection in spatiotemporal prediction of pests and diseases in other agricultural and forestry crops.
Integrating Multiple Geospatial Datasets for Precise and Efficient Surface Water Extent Mapping in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Majid Mohd Adha , Idris Nurul Hazrina , Md Reba Mohd Nadzri , Numpang Welly
Published: December 2023

Accurate mapping of surface water extent is essential for several applications, including water resources management, climate modelling, biodiversity conservation, agricultural irrigation, hydropower, and food security. Inland water management is critical in Malaysia due to dams, river basins, and heavy rainfall. In a tropical country, mapping surface water is challenging due to cloud cover and dense vegetation. This study proposes an approach that uses rule sets in ArcGIS Model Builder to automate the identification of water bodies. At the regional scale, the extent of surface waters can be mapped by integrating multiple geospatial datasets, including surface terrain, global surface water data, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. Accuracy is calculated by comparing the results to high-resolution optical imagery via the SecureWatch® application. The accuracy of 200 stratified random points is 95%, with a kappa value of 0.90 for water body and land area classes. This study maps a 12,563.95 km2 study area covering several states in Malaysia. These results show that the integration of multiple geospatial datasets using rule sets and data modelling can map the extent of surface waters in Malaysia. The proposed approach could be applied in other tropical countries with similar topography.
Factors influencing road setbacks and urban open space encroachment by traders in Nigeria: A narrative review
Authors: Tijjani A O , Hassan S A , Lazi M K A M , Farah B S
Published: December 2023

In many developing countries, especially Nigeria, informal sector activities such as roadside trading, hawking as well as roadside squatting has become increasingly prevalent. Although these activities are often seen as survival strategies for the low-income population with no other means of earning a living, nonetheless, they have negative impacts on the environment and traffic flow and can also compromise the safety and security of the traders. This study aims to explore the factors that contribute to the growth of this phenomenon on encroached highways, urban roads, and open spaces, and to examine its effects on both the environment and the traders. Using a narrative review approach, the research analysed relevant books, journals, conference papers, reports, and policy documents extracted from Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholars databases. The study findings revealed that economic crises and high levels of unemployment in developing countries have led to an increase in street trading and roadside vending. In addition, the lack of effective urban planning and enforcement of development control laws has also played a significant role in the proliferation of these activities on encroached urban roads and green spaces. Consequently, on highways, the absence of organized and standardized Rest and Service Areas (RSA) at regular intervals in developing countries, especially Nigeria, has facilitated the emergence of roadside markets. Furthermore, this situation is compounded by the location of agrarian settlements along the highways. Thus, to address these issues, the research recommends that the government reorganize, integrate, and upscale the activities of street traders, while also improving urban planning and enforcing road right-of-way barriers to protect urban green spaces and conclusively, the introduction of standard RSA at regular intervals along highways would provide motorists with necessary rest and services, discouraging them from stopping indiscriminately on transits, which often leads to the emergence of roadside markets.
Level of Service Assessment for People with Disability in Kawo Bus Terminal Park Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Sani S Z , Zaly Shah M
Published: December 2023

This study presents measurements of the overall level of service (LOS) for people with disabilities (PWDs) at public bus terminals. According to user perceptions, these metrics are helpful for evaluating the total LOS on a single scale. The process entails watching passengers and gathering a number of socioeconomic and physical factors that could affect how users rate the bus terminal. With the ability to assess and determine the LOS of transit terminals for physically challenged people, solutions to develop more empathetic transit terminals can be identified, and efforts to confirm the deficiencies can be put into place. It is possible to derive quantitative LOS ratings from survey data using a psychometric scaling technique. Following that, the relationship maps between these two categories of items were examined. The quantitative LOS ratings indices were rated using survey analysis. The findings revealed that the grand mean for expected service was 3.67 (SD = 0.77) while the mean for recorded LOS was 2.01 (SD = 0.58), indicating a significant gap between the two, thus needed attention to address LOS given to PWDs. A planning guideline for IPA is offered to design and optimise bus terminal access facilities for new or existing terminal stations, underscoring the practical usefulness of the approach. The outcome from this study evidently if incorporated in designing Bus Park will help in modelling bus terminal that will accommodate PWDs.
Performance of cold chain logistics service providers in the fast-moving consumer goods industry in Nigeria: a systematic review
Authors: Zego Susanna Ibrahim , Mohamad Husny Zuhra Junaida Binti
Published: December 2023

The operations of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) businesses in Nigeria rely on the efficiency and efficacy of cold chain service providers for quality storage and optimal safety of perishable goods. However, the sector faces obstacles such as inadequate technology, unskilled labour, insufficient funds, weak regulation, and a poor regulatory policy framework, all of which impede the business’s growth and performance. The goal of this study is to systematically review the issues that restrict cold chain logistics service providers’ performance in Nigeria’s highly perishable food business. This study employs PRISMA procedure and the systematic literature review technique to extract articles and emphasize the importance of employing cold chain services to increase efficiency, quality service delivery, and consumer fulfilment. The study’s findings demonstrate that achieving quality service delivery, service effectiveness, cost savings, and customer satisfaction is hampered by a lack of proper synergy between cold chain logistics service providers and cold chain major stakeholders such as regulators, as well as an absence of skilled personnel, policy, funding, infrastructure, and technologies for monitoring and tracking product movement and condition. By remedying these difficulties, Nigeria’s FMCGS sectors could potentially improve their performance and contribute to the development of a robust, sustainable cold chain logistics industry. As a result, the quality and safety of FMCG goods would be enhanced, driving the expansion of the FMCG sector in Nigeria. Future research findings should focus on the cold chain logistics performance leverages on economic growth and development in Africa.
Soundscape Perception and Preference in the context of Malaysian Urban Parks
Authors: Ling Lee Josephine Siaw , Hosni Nafisa , Rusli Noradila , Ghani Nabila Abdul
Published: December 2023

Park soundscape studies are receiving increasing attention in cities due to the increasing noise pollution in urban centers. As soundscape is dependent on people-place-interaction, there is still a lack of knowledge on how the socio-demography of the park users influences the perceptions and preferences of the soundscapes in the parks of Malaysia. Most studies on soundscape perception are linked to the general population in developed Western and Eastern countries, investigating the relationship of perception with mental well-being. This paper addresses the gap between the park’s sound profile and soundscape perception in the context of a developing country, Malaysia. A random sampling of 423 park users in four selected Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya parks was used to conduct an on-site survey regarding their perceptions of the park’s soundscape. The study revealed that soundscape perception differs among park visitors in a typical urban park in Malaysia. Three dimensions of socio-demographic and behavioural attributes were found to be associated with the perception and preferences of park soundscapes, which are (1) age and educational level, related to the perception of the dominance of human sounds; (2) distance from home and sensitivity of park users revealed that those who are stressed and more sensitive to noises influence their expectations of the pleasantness and calmness of the park’s soundscape; and (3) gender and occupation on the other hand only relates to the dominance of natural sounds indicating that females are more sensitive to the sounds of nature when in a park. It is crucial to consider the needs of all park visitors to provide a supporting soundscape which matches the activities carried out in the parks. These results implicate Malaysian park planning and management by serving a further understanding of the relationship between the soundscape of the parks from the perspective of different park users.
Service quality assessment of orange line metro train, Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Amin S , Husny ZJ Mohammad , Ijaz Z , Shahbaz A , Rasool S
Published: December 2023

Service Quality increases the efficiency and effectiveness of a service leading to achieving the satisfaction of its users. A customer satisfaction score is considered one of the effective tools to achieve efficiency in any service. Service Quality and riders’ satisfaction with public transport is important for social, political, environmental, and economic outcomes. The research aims to assess service quality from the perspective of users of the Orange Line Metro Train OLMT, Lahore. The study was based on two types of surveys one was the observatory and the other was a questionnaire-based survey. The observatory surveys at stations were carried out to note down the status of facilities available. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted from passengers at different OLMT stations. The average ridership of OLMT is approx. 65,000 per month till the first quarter of 2022. The research used random sampling techniques for the selection of users riding from different stations of OLMT. The study used eight service quality variables; i.e. accessibility, safety and security, comfort and cleanliness, customer care, infrastructure, amenities, and fare satisfaction; and environmental conditions. The study concluded that the customer satisfaction score for the OLMT service is 65%. The riders were moderately satisfied with service quality at stations of OLMT. The absence of the park-and-ride facility is one of the most critical and challenging things. The majority of riders highlighted that the behavior of the staff working at stations was not cooperative. Observatory surveys and riders’ perceptions regarding various issues complement each other. The variables that need to be improved are particularly related to accessibility through the provision of park-and-ride facilities, comfort and convenience through the provision of additional facilities at the waiting area of stations. The findings of the study will help authorities and policymakers in improving factors that were identified during the surveys for the improvement of service quality.
Leadership issues for road project engineers
Authors: Danial Norhana , Misnan Mohd Saidin
Published: December 2023

Being a construction team leader is an enormous responsibility because leaders inspire and motivate others. This study aims to identify leadership development and required skills from engineers’ perspectives. Using a qualitative approach from interviews with eight civil engineers, the authors explored their leadership issues and practices, especially in handling road project delays. The participants’ diverse viewpoints and experiences led to road construction’s four most common delay factors and how they responded to them. The research findings demonstrated that engineers in road projects require leadership competencies and extensive technical knowledge and experience to keep road projects on track. Since leaders accept responsibility, they must constantly learn to expand their knowledge and find new approaches to solve problems. This study generated a leadership chart highlighting road engineers’ leadership competencies to engage, coordinate and communicate effectively with team members and other project stakeholders. Combining technical expertise and soft skills enhances engineers’ ability to navigate construction complexities and adapt to changing trends.
Aligning Malaysian Agrotourism Real Estate Investment with The Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities
Authors: Baharudin Norhishammudin , Jaafar Mohd Nadzri , Ismail Azizah , Ab Azis Shazmin Shareena , Afrane Ebenezer
Published: December 2023

Investing in Malaysian agrotourism real estate can significantly impact achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Agrotourism investments rely on market demand and visitor interest. It is essential to assess the potential market demand for agrotourism experiences in the specific location and consider the competition from existing agrotourism destinations or other tourism sectors. However, failure to attract a sufficient number of visitors can impact the financial viability of the investment. This paper explores the potential opportunities of such investments with respect to suitable development, including economic growth, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. Content analysis from the literature review is used as the medium to achieve the stated objectives above. Findings showed that while investing in agrotourism real estate has the potential to have significant positive impacts on local communities and ecosystems, it also requires careful planning and management to ensure these outcomes are achieved in a suitable manner. We conclude by recommending strategies for investors to promote sustainable development goals through their investment choices in Malaysian agrotourism real estate.
Addressing idle agricultural land: the conceptual framework of idle land tax based on financial self-interest model
Authors: Hamid Muhamad Norfiqiri , Yunus Norhidayah Md , Razali Muhammad Najib , Hock Sia Pong
Published: December 2023

All landowners are obligated to utilize their lands in line with the categories of land use specified in the title document. The issue of idle agricultural land keeps arise and has negatively impacted our country. By law, the government has the power to forfeiture idle agricultural land if the land has been left uncultivated, but it is poorly implemented in order to maintain a good relationship between people and the government. This paper aims to provide a conceptual framework to impose taxes as an enforcement policy to ensure landowners obey the rules at once to avoid land forfeiture. The secondary data includes the application of the act, a review of other countries’ approaches, and the Financial Self-interest Model is used to develop the framework. The analysis indicated that we have legislative pillars, but the issues keep remain meaning that their effectiveness is lacking. By analyzing foreign countries, we can use taxation approaches, and the model is related to compliance behavior which is good in order to overcome the issues. In conclusion, this conceptual framework can be a trigger to alternative enforcement in making sure the landowners obey the rules to utilize their agricultural land and reduce idle agricultural land issues.
Challenges In Land Title Issuance for Water Assets in The Restructured Water Services Industry
Authors: Ghani Azizul Abd , Yunus Norhidayah Md. , Sukereman Anis Syazwani
Published: December 2023

The restructuring of Malaysia’s water services industry, initiated by the Federal Government in 2008, aimed to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework encompassing both water supply and sewerage services. In line with this initiative, Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB) undertook the acquisition of water assets from the state, as part of the National Water Services Industry Restructuring Initiative. The acquisition was conducted based on the one-time book value of the state’s water assets, aligned with their corresponding liabilities. However, this common practice faced technical challenges owing to constraints encountered by the land office, leading to unapproved land alienation applications and subsequent delays in the issuance of titles for the acquired water assets. Despite the significance of the matter, the discourse surrounding water assets, particularly concerning land alienation and title issuance, has received insufficient attention in the existing literature. This research seeks to address the challenges faced by the land office in issuing land titles for water assets within the restructured water services industry. Engaging a qualitative mode of inquiry, content document analysis was employed, utilizing the READ approach, to scrutinize pertinent statutes, acts, policies, and procedures of the land office. The study’s outcomes disclose the existence of fifteen (15) challenges spanning diverse aspects such as government policies, administrative procedures, and the pivotal engagement of land office personnel. Conversely, these challenges also pertain to the activities and contributions of applicants and stakeholders, albeit through indirect channels. By identifying these challenges, key stakeholders, especially the land office and PAAB, can better address problematic applications, expedite the process of land ownership for water assets, and significantly contribute to the overall enhancement of the national initiative restructuring Malaysia’s water supply service industry.
Effective idle land management: a conceptual framework from land management paradigm
Authors: Rahmat Norhisham , Zainudin Ainur Zaireen
Published: December 2023

Land serves as a fundamental input for social and economic sectors, significantly influencing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, idle land can impede progress toward these goals if not utilized effectively. The prevalence of idle land has expanded in rural and rapidly growing urban areas across countries at different stages of development. Although several idle land management approaches have been implemented, they often result in short-term fixes rather than long-term solutions, and their efficacy remains inconsistent. Therefore, this article proposes a conceptual framework rooted in the principles of the Land Management Paradigm. This framework is developed based on a broad literature review to provide insights into the determinants for effective idle land management. The framework development draws upon the Land Management Paradigm, which highlights the interrelationship among a country’s land policy framework, land administration functions, land information infrastructures, and institutional arrangements. By utilizing this paradigm, the determinants for effective idle land management can be investigated comprehensively. The proposed conceptual framework highlights the importance of an integrated approach to idle land management. It emphasizes the need for a robust land policy framework that facilitates effective land utilization and discourages land idling. Furthermore, efficient land administration functions are vital in regulating and managing idle land. Accurate and accessible land information infrastructures are essential for informed decision-making and promoting optimal land use. Lastly, appropriate institutional arrangements must be established to ensure coordination and collaboration among relevant stakeholders involved in idle land management. In conclusion, idle land poses significant challenges to sustainable development, and existing solutions have often focused on short-term fixes. This article proposes a conceptual framework that integrates the principles of the Land Management Paradigm to enhance the effectiveness of idle land management initiatives towards implementing long-term solutions that promote optimal land utilization, contributing to achieving the SDGs.
Indigenous Cultural Priority in Customary land Development: A Case Study of the Communities Ulu Papar River, Sabah.
Authors: Celesistinus K , Zakaria S R A
Published: December 2023

Customary land development in Sabah, Malaysia, involves the intersection of indigenous cultural priorities and the need for economic development. This study was mainly conducted to understand the significance of indigenous cultural priorities in the context of customary land development with the hope to provide an enlightenment on how land development can be implemented within the customary land area without compromising the true cultural value of the indigenous peoples. By examining the cultural priorities of indigenous communities, valuable insights can be gained to guide land development practices that respect cultural values. A qualitative involving 50 respondents comprising the villagers follow up with focus group discussion with local leaders. The result highlight two key aspects of indigenous priority based on individual actualization and community actualization. Individual actualization in relation to customary land refer to individual prioritizes opportunities for indigenous community members to develop their skills, pursue education, engage in meaningful work, and achieve personal goals. Community actualization on the other hand emphasizes community prioritizes initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, cultural continuity, and sustainable economic development. By incorporating individual and community actualization into customary land development practices, indigenous communities can maintain their cultural integrity, strengthen social bonds, and achieve sustainable development outcomes.
Perception of Green Roof Users with Their Mental Well-Being
Authors: Rahman Hanisah Abd , Mohd Yusoff Nurul Syakima , Omar Mustafa
Published: December 2023

Green roofs have grown popular in developing nations as an additional green space in a city when most of the land is being considered for new building construction but it has received less attention in Malaysia. Green roofs are also publicly accessible which provides a pleasant experience in recreational places that can relieve stress and soothe mind. Thus, this paper aims to determine the level of awareness of green roof adaptation among residents in high-rise residential buildings, as well as to investigate the relationship between intensive green roofs and mental health among residents in green residential buildings. It began by studying the literature on prior research, then collected data from a survey questionnaire on the target population. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27 will use to record and analyse the results of this study’s attempt to address the subject. According to the findings of the studies, the majority of residents are aware of the characteristics of an intensive green roof that influence their feelings. A minority of residents have mental health issues and they prefer five personal controls to keep their minds healthy based on their feelings. The essential conclusion is that a green roof may help in ensuring the preservation of a healthy mental state.
Strata Lease Schemes for Township Development: A Case Study of Bandar Baru Ayer Itam in Penang
Authors: Zainal N H , Samsudin S , Azmi F A Md.
Published: December 2023

This research highlights successful property development practices for sustainable housing in Penang, Malaysia. It begins with expanding the land leasing ideas by introducing the lease registration onto the strata title of a stratified building, referred to as the strata lease scheme. Using case study methodology, this study focuses on two main objectives: providing an overview of the strata lease scheme concept and discussing how the development of strata lease schemes created a new township. The study utilised interviews and document reviews from Penang’s single case study, Bandar Baru Ayer Itam. Ultimately, the study shows that strata lease scheme development can be an excellent alternative to fulfilling housing needs in Malaysia.
University Land Used Potential to Generate Income
Authors: Fadhli Minhat Muhamad Nur , Yunus Norhidayah Md , Sapri Maimunah , Hashim Hariati Abdullah , Berahim Nur , Aqila Zulkifli Nur Anis , Hamid Muhamad Norfiqiri , Tahir Zurinah
Published: December 2023

Public universities currently struggle with reduced budget allocations from the Federal Government. Therefore, universities need to diversify revenue sources to sustain operational costs. One initiative that could be taken is to effectively manage the university assets, in which land is one of the essential components. If strategically managed and developed, universities typically possess substantial land holdings that could offer significant financial benefits. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of the potential utilization of university land to generate revenue. In order to achieve this, twelve universities in Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed on behalf of their respective land management organizations. Interviews were undertaken to explore the university’s current land use practices. Thematic and quasi analysis techniques will be used in this study. As a result, this research discovered several potential university land use to generate income that categorise into residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial. Leveraging this land’s potential can assist universities in innovating land use for generating income.