Noriah Othman

Universiti Teknologi MARA | UiTM · Centre of Studies for Landscape Architecture

A botanical garden can potentially mitigate psychological and mental health problems accompanying psychological restoration via a range of eco-restoration benefits and connectedness to natural factors. However, the extent to how the botanical garden provides ecorestoration related to connectedness remained unclear. This study furnishes a review of...

Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all nations aim to the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG) formed under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The current United Nations (UN) report release stated that the UN targets all people to enjoy access to freshwater in its quality and quantity. Hence, ac...

About 29.2% of Malaysians have been diagnosed with psychological distress, especially young adults. The B40 low-income group is most afflicted due to financial restrictions and limiting access to medication. Therefore, urban parks’ connectedness and pro-environmental behaviour towards psychological restoration are inexpensive ways to alleviate dist...

Plants are identify as a valuable element in visual landscape assessment. This study examines the visual landscape quality (VLQ) relationship towards students’ well-being. This study identifies the preferences of planting composition scenes through the photo-based survey method. The survey employs 51 scenes with 5-points Likert-scale rating. The PL...

Tree pruning provides various benefit but also a source of multiple types of tree damage due to unskilled pruning practices. Cohen's vandalism typology state that persons who have similar characteristics to those present in poorly skilled work (i.e., unintentional act; maintenance equipment damaging a tree structure) perform "vandalism". This study...

Communication is a fundamental part of the working environment that comprises interpersonal relations and communication between groups and individuals and other social interactions within the active community. Communication and soft skills have become an important issue due to the lack of study and development, especially in the Landscape Architect...

The Tree Vandalism Model (TVM) was developed to assist decision-makers and tree managers to quantify the status of tree vandalism incidence in the urban area. The model quantifies tree vandalism incident influenced by the shortcoming of tree conditions, tree vandalism incident derived from human error and tree vandalism incident due to lack of urba...

Planting design is the art of composing plants to create a campus landscape design. The composition may influence the students’ preferences owned by the criteria of planting. This study aims to identify the planting design criteria towards enhancing visual landscape quality in campus environment. The photograph-based method used to collect the land...

Urban trees are exposed to "unintentional vandalism" during poorly skilled pruning practices that can lead to tree structure damage. This causes harmful consequences that affect tree performance in terms of the ecosystem services they contribute. This study aims to explore the relationship between unintentional tree vandalism and poorly skilled pru...

An urban tree monitoring programme is a management procedure that determines the performance status of trees by conducting an inventory of the number of trees, their condition, their structure, and other quantitative or qualitative characteristics. The ability to successfully carry out a monitoring programme is highly dependent on precise data. At...

Green and grey infrastructure plays a significant role in exposing the quality to the urban streetscape. The establishment and post-execution of streetscape planting management practice become a marking factor in measuring the sustainability of roadside tree planting. Due to the acceleration of the urbanization, conflicts in growing healthy roadsid...

This paper draws the author's involvement employing the Delphi method, as the measuring tools in the field of tree vandalism research. Attention is given to aspects such as the selection of method, design of questionnaires, selection of experts, the communication between survey administrator and respondents, and also the analysis of experts' respon...

This study investigated the influence of Bourdieu capitals possessed by leaders in Malaysian landscape architecture firms towards the creativity of their subordinates. Three design subordinates from each of the 73 landscape architecture firms in the database of Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia were surveyed by mail. These design subordina...

Rapid urbanization has brought changes in life events that impact the psychological problem of mental health. The urban nature serves as a Psychological Restoration (PR) among affected people. Besides, closed attachment with nature leads somebody to react as pro-environmental. Despite many studies on nature and PR, hardly any studied in neuro-lands...

Pruning is one of the most crucial tree maintenance activities which give an impact on the tree's health and structure. Besides, improper pruning will contribute to the risk of injury to property and the public. This study aims to assess pruning knowledge among four Local authorities in Malaysia. Results found that 69.3 percent of tree pruning work...

Mental depression, a part of mental health, can be overcome through psychological restoration (PR) in urban agglomerations; thus, a growing need for restorativeness in the urban surrounding. Despite many studies on nature and PR, hardly any studied in neuroscience and urban nature, its relationship with Pro-Environment Behaviour (PEB) and PR for lo...

Green fabrics that comprise of roadside tree planting play a vital element in an urban ecosystem. Inappropriate roadside tree planting implementation and even during its post-execution of management practices affect streetscape quality of life (QOL). Roadside tree planting condition in every country and town in Malaysia tend to have different in qu...

Urban farming is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in or around urban areas. Urban farming is relatively a new trend in Malaysia and has increased in over recent years. As urban farming remains to be promoted by municipal governments and others, it is essential to understand how to ensure these projects are viable. This...

Pruning is one of the most crucial tree maintenance activities which give an impact on the tree's health and structure. Besides, improper pruning will contribute to the risk of injury to property and the public. This study aims to assess pruning knowledge among four Local authorities in Malaysia. Results found that 69.3 per cent of tree pruning wor...

Despite the vast research by scholars on urban tree management, little is known about the perspective of public dissatisfaction in relation to the tree management status. The overall viewpoint that emerges from the literature is negative: Slow reaction, complaint-based action, mismanagement and incompetence. To justify and fully enhance landscape q...

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of residential-bike environment influences cycling participation among resident. The underpinning theories used in the study were the Ecological Model of Active Living (EMAF) and the Theory of Routine Mode Choice Decision (TRMCD). A structured questionnaire online survey was employed by engaging two...

Planting composition (PC) is designed to be aesthetically pleasing, functional utilizing and ecologically sustaining. In landscape research, a plant is a powerful element in assessing visual quality. Visual quality for each landscape depends on the visual composition of plants. The study on landscape assessment in a campus is commonly correlated wi...

The need to care for trees, especially in urban areas, has become increasingly important for countries like Malaysia which are developing rapidly. Recognising the fact that construction activities could put trees at risks of death and damage, the Malaysian government introduced Tree Preservation Order (Act 172) in 1996. However, there were cases oc...

The need to care for trees, especially in urban areas, has become increasingly important for countries like Malaysia which are developing rapidly. Recognising the fact that construction activities could put trees at risks of death and damage, the Malaysian government introduced Tree Preservation Order (Act 172) in 1996. However, there were cases oc...

Pierre Bourdieu (1986) introduced the concept of capitals as forms of intangible resources that individual use to advance their socio-economic status. Past relevant researches have not focused on all Bourdieu capitals. This study conceptualises the Bourdieu capitals to empirically determine the intangible resources of Malaysian leader landscape arc...

In Malaysia, a carbon neutral country aspiration relatively by 2050 through sustainable approaches should have heeded further. The concept of Green Mobility in the residential neighbourhood is an essential mechanism towards improving the lifestyle and sustaining the environmental quality by providing the cycling-friendly environment. The study aims...

Campus landscape is a created for aesthetically pleasing, educationally satisfying and environmentally sustaining. Unlike other places, the university has a distinct characteristic. The demand for high education required more space for students living. Previous research has mentioned on viewing landscape with stress recovery and reduce mental fatig...

Urban trees are a valuable asset for urban sustainability and provide a number of social and ecological functions. However, urban trees are exposed to intentional vandalism, which can cause poor tree growth and high mortality rates. This issue is particularly difficult to combat because urban tree managers have no way of identifying the characteris...

This research explored the environmental constraints based on landscape architect’s views in selecting urban trees. Two objectives have been formulated (iurban views of the landscape architect are pertinent in tree selection practice. The findings of this research will contribute to practise improvement in selecting urban tree species by landscape...

Urban trees are living organisms and vital elements of a city’s infrastructure; thus, they should be considered at every stage of planning design and development. In Malaysia, rapid changes in the environment have indirectly influenced the roadside tree condition such as fallen trees. This is reflected with the statistic increment of public complai...

The landscape is important in spatial development for campus space. Fundamentally, planting composition generates a character of the outdoor space. It could offer an enormous influence on visual quality, student performance and quality of life. This paper investigated the preferences and usage of outdoor campus space provided by universities during...

Urban farming is seen as a sustainable practice with the social, economic and urban environment benefits. Despite the efforts by the government, there is lack of public participation in urban farming activities and challenges in sustaining urban farming participants’ interest. The study is aimed at measuring urban farming participation motivations...

Street trees are an important part of city development. Proper tree management provides conducive environment for socialization. Previous research revealed the social factors and hazards associated with urban street trees but the elements that influence was not known. The objectives are: to investigate the elements of the social factors and to dete...

This study attempts to perceive the level of awareness of respondents’ towards green infrastructure (GI) component in Labuan housing area with objectives; (i) to analyze the existence of GI attributes in the study area and (ii) to examine the public preferences on these attributes. The questionnaire was distributed among the 386 respondents in hous...

Botanic garden is associated with environment conservation, outdoor recreation and education programme for students. The learning opportunities that take place in the garden functions as a window of knowledge, a platform to build better understanding beside aroused cognitive skills during visitation. This study is aimed to identify the potential of...

Botanical gardens are bio-diverse flora-based natural attractions. Visitors to two prominent Malaysian botanical gardens were surveyed about their preferences for human oriented gardens’ landscape designs.There were significant differences in the preferences for garden landscapes with poorly maintained man-made structures and jungle-like garden lan...

Roadside planting is a row of trees along the road which provides shades for people in urban areas. Proper management practices among the local authorities will improve the quality of life and human well-being. Unhealthy trees may cause problems to the road users that result from the lack of monitoring by local governing bodies. 200 respondents fro...

In recent years, there have been growing bodies of research in an outdoor education setting. In the context of landscape architecture studies, the need to encourage the students to explore the nature is undeniably important. By exploring the landscapes, a better perspective and understanding of subject matter can be achieved. While there is a new a...

This study explored the role of landscape architect in choosing trees for urban fabric. Two objectives have been formulated (i) to examine the process in selecting tree species among landscape architects and (ii) to determine the relationship between process and environmental constraints in selecting tree species for urban fabric. The findings show...

In Malaysia, urban farming is viewed as a catalyst towards achieving the well-being of urban dwellers and natural environment. Urban farming is a strategy for Malaysia's food and economic security, and as one of the foci in the agriculture transformation whereby urban dwellers are encouraged to participate in this activity. Previous study proved th...

Free Trade Agreements as implemented by Malaysian government calls out local businesses such as landscape architecture consultant firm to explore internationally and strengthen their performance to compete locally. Performance of landscape architecture firm as a design firm depends entirely on creativity of the subordinates in the firm. Past resear...

Trees are important to human and the environment, and should always be protected to continuously benefit us. The Malaysian government, recognising that the rapid development of the country has put trees at risks of being damaged and killed, thus introduced Tree Preservation Order (Act 172) in 1996. However, recently, there have been cases whereby t...

Trees are important to human and the environment, and should always be protected to continuously benefit us. The Malaysian government, recognising that the rapid development of the country has put trees at risks of being damaged and killed, thus introduced Tree Preservation Order (Act 172) in 1996. However, recently, there have been cases whereby t...

Urban farming is seen as a sustainable practice with the social, economic and urban environment benefits. Despite the efforts by the government, there is lack of public participation in urban farming activities and challenges in sustaining urban farming participants’ interest. The study is aimed at measuring urban farming participation motivations...

Trees in urban areas are an invaluable resource. Careful consideration and attention should be given to tree species selection. “Right tree at the right place” is the key to get the benefits offered by the tree. Objectives have been formulated as follows (i) to investigate the selection of tree species at selected local councils (ii) to analyse the...

The landscape is important in spatial development for campus space. Fundamentally, planting composition generates a character of the outdoor space. It could offer an enormous influence on visual quality, student performance and quality of life. This paper investigated the preferences and usage of outdoor campus space provided by universities during...

A local authority has been receiving an application for tree removal by the urban dwellers, and the numbers are increased with time. However, lack of in-depth analysis of the data related to tree removal application to date has caused lack of understanding regarding the public concern on tree maintenance. The aim of this study is to analyze this da...

Botanic garden is associated with environment conservation, outdoor recreation and education programme for students. The learning opportunities that take place in the garden functions as a window of knowledge, a platform to build better understanding beside aroused cognitive skills during visitation. This study is aimed to identify the potential of...

Street trees are an important part of city development. Proper tree management provides conducive environment for socialization. Previous research revealed the social factors and hazards associated with urban street trees but the elements that influence was not known. The objectives are: to investigate the elements of the social factors and to dete...

This study investigates the visitors’ satisfaction at the most popular urban recreational area, Kepong Metropolitan Park, Selangor. It presents the analysis and synthesis of information collected from an open-ended survey. Selected visitors were asked to state their opinions regarding overall scene and the answers were summarized and categorized in...

The presence of a park in a residential area plays an important role for residents living near the park. The focus of this paper is to examine the significance of a park to the house residents. The methods used in this study include interviews with the developer and a survey administered to the residents living near the park. The main findings gath...

Internationalisation is one of the catalysts to the transformation and development of construction industry in Malaysia. Landscape architecture design consultancy firms (LAC) must improve the creativeness of their products to meet the competitive challenging international and domestic market. Hence, it is crucial for every LAC firm to improve the c...

Roadside planting is a row of trees along the road which provides shades for people in urban areas. Proper management practices among the local authorities will improve the quality of life and human well-being. Unhealthy trees may cause problems to the road users that result from the lack of monitoring by local governing bodies. 200 respondents fro...

Pruning is one of the most important tree maintenance activities which gives a big impact on tree's health and structure. A well-pruned trees are not only able to maintain tree health, but also will provide a safe environment and enhance the aesthetic value. On the other hand, improper pruning will danger the public. The aim of this study is to ass...

With increasing urbanization, the quality and quantity of nature experiences is degrading. The existence of parks such as the botanical garden can play an important role in the urban landscape. The usage of the parks can increase the quality of life by increasing the degree of enjoyment and satisfaction experienced in everyday life. To achieved the...

Trees are an important part of human community especially in the urban area. They can help to define the character of an area and create a sense of place. The deep enthusiasm for trees as an integral part of an urban environment is evident, thus protecting trees with aesthetic and a high amenity value is part of a good sustainable practice. This st...

Today, the functions of botanical gardens have greatly expanded from just preserving the plant biodiversity to creating aesthetically pleasing refuges from modern life. A study is carried out to investigate human oriented design of the landscape of two prominent botanical gardens in Malaysia. The objectives of this paper are 1) to analyse the users...

Natural outdoor environment that is aesthetically pleasing, flexible and functional will motivates people to visit those places. Visiting performance to a place is supported by landscape aesthetic values that can promote better participation and social engagement among visitors. Aesthetic values of landscape are due to a range of landscape attribut...

This study is to look at the trends of the housing price affected by green infrastructure elements by using the Hedonic Price Approach. The researchers embark on these objectives; (a) to analyze the green infrastructure components that affect the housing market price; and (b) to examine the regression analysis on the Hedonic Pricing Model. Labuan B...

Increasing number of botanic gardens in Malaysia shows that botanic gardens are important to the urban citizens. Visitors are motivated to visit these gardens for many reasons. The reasons were appreciation of plant aesthetics values, design of the gardens, visual qualities and recreational purposes. Other reasons were social interaction, psycholog...

A study on street planting was carried out in Shah Alam city. The importance of such study has become increasingly essential due to the public's awareness on landscape planting. The aim of this study is to compare the preferences of the public and the experts on the street planting composition. Using the Likert scale, 296 respondents evaluated the...

This study undertaken to evaluate the respondents’ level of awareness towards green infrastructure (GI) component in Labuan housing area with objectives; (i) to analyze the existence of GI attributes in the study area and (ii) to examine the public perspectives on these attributes. The questionnaire was distributed to the 386 respondents in housing...

This paper reviews the status of soft-scape construction quality standards and specification in Malaysia. Related documents from government agencies and selected private company in Malaysia had been collected for comparison. Comparison has been made on every item in standard specifications from 3 parties involved to identify the similarities and di...

Many towns appear to have different degrees of street tree condition in different urban areas. Mostly, the trees are planted just for the sake of beautification and not focusing on the practicality of them. This research sought to assess the value and quality of street trees planted in various street types in old Klang town, Selangor. The study is...

This ethno botanical study of Malay culture in urban residential area analyzes the aspect of the interrelationship between plants and Malay culture since both provides spiritual connection between people and nature. People rely on plants in many ways. As such, this research has been undertaken to unearth the relationship between plants and the Mala...