Journal of Surveying, Construction and Property

LANDSCAPE AND PLANNING INTEGRATION TOWARDS A BETTER PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IN CHERAS RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD

Janice Yap Sheu Jun — 2024-12-31

Urban settlements are inherently incomplete without the strategic design of public open spaces, which are essential for enhancing the quality of life and providing numerous social, health, environmental, and economic benefits to residents. In Kuala Lumpur, rapid urbanization and inadequate residential planning have led to a decline in the quality of public open spaces, negatively impacting residents' well-being. This situation highlights the critical need for a comprehensive approach to public open space design that addresses these issues and fosters community engagement and vitality. This study investigates the current state of public open spaces in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, specifically focusing on Taman Mutiara Barat and Taman Taynton View. By analyzing the physical characteristics, social dynamics, and environmental factors of these areas, the study aims to propose design criteria for improving these spaces. Ultimately, the goal is to create vibrant and inclusive public open spaces that enhance the quality of life for residents of Cheras.

DISCOVERING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES PHYSICAL BARRIERS IN ACCESSING HEALTHCARE-BUILT ENVIRONMENT

DR. NURATIQAH AISYAH AWANG @ MAT NAWI — 2024-12-31

Several studies have highlighted the dissatisfaction of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with the facilities and services in various built environments, yet limited research has focused on the healthcare-built environment. This study aims to identify the physical barriers faced by PWDs in accessing healthcare facilities in Malaysia. A qualitative approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews and the analysis of complaint records. Four hospital engineers were selected through purposive sampling, and data from the facility management complaint database were extracted. Content analysis was conducted using Microsoft Word and Excel. Findings revealed that PWD toilets had the highest frequency of breakdowns and complaints, highlighting them as a key area for improvement. While breakdowns in most facilities were reported as low to moderate (2-10 times per month), issues with covered walkways were also noted, indicating broader accessibility concerns. PWD-related complaints were relatively low, reflecting their minority status in the population. The identified barriers related to maintenance, access to information, building use, and facility provision, impacting safety, accessibility, and overall ease of use. Establishing comprehensive data will help stakeholders understand physical barriers and develop strategies for improvement, ensuring equal access to healthcare facilities for PWDs. Future research on maintenance policies and their impact on PWDs is essential for fostering a more inclusive healthcare environment.

EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING LEGAL INSTRUMENTS ON ENHANCING WOMEN’S RIGHTS TO LAND AND PROPERTY IN JOS, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Lura Yohanna Nuhu — 2024-12-31

There exists a persistent gap in landownership rights between men and women in Nigeria which is greatly influenced by cultural and traditional practices that discriminate against women. Despite all global, regional and national efforts to enact legal instruments, the signing and ratification of international agreements and the passage of laws which seek to protect the rights of women, by granting them equal land and property rights as their male counterparts, women in Nigeria still face discrimination over land and property ownership. This study was conducted in Kwang village, Jos south of Plateau state, Nigeria using a qualitative approach. Data were obtained using interviews and the respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Cultural practices which are patriarchal that favour the male above the female were the major barrier to women’s rights to land and property. The majority of the women are not aware of the existence of legal instruments and non-implementation of such policies in the country is the reason for that. The study recommends strong political will to enforce the enacted gender-related laws and the need for awareness and advocacy campaigns within the society to create enlightenment on the need to incorporate women in inheritance sharing and land decision-making.

CASE-BASED LEARNING AND TEACHING EXPERIENCES ABOUT PEOPLE MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES

HAFIZAH MOHD LATIF — 2024-12-31

In the modern advanced construction industry, students are required to engage in active learning and critical thinking to deliver defect-free outputs and ensure user satisfaction. Case-based learning is an approach that fosters active learning among students. The aim of this research is to present the educational experiences of students and the teaching advances by the educators involved in case-based learning assignments. 155 students enrolled in the people management course received information on theories and their application at construction sites. Case-based learning and teaching were implemented to fulfil the course objectives, focussing on ongoing projects, site defects and the fraud triangle theory as the scope of the case. Students conducted semi-structured interviews with the site personnel, transcribed the recordings and analysed them by referencing the brief notes provided by the educators. The findings indicate that the students exhibited better performance in the learning environment. Case-based learning enhanced their research skills, communication, collaboration, ethical values, engagement and continuous improvement. The findings also show that the significance of appropriate teaching materials and efficient team teaching in case-based teaching is paramount. These elements are essential for creating an engaging learning environment that supports qualitative educational approaches and thereby improves student learning outcomes.

EXPLORING GREEN FINANCING AND ITS CHALLENGES IN MALAYSIAN REAL ESTATE PROJECT

Nurulshalina Yusni Kamal — 2024-12-31

This paper aims to explore the landscape of green financing adoption in Malaysia's real estate sector and its challenges for sustainable real estate development. It attempts to uncover the challenges of incorporating green finance into real estate projects and comparing the challenges faced by the local players with the global players. The results will allow recommendations to be made for successful green financing in Malaysia. The examination of Malaysia's present green finance adoption is made through a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted with real estate developers and local financial organisations for the achievements of the main objectives. The findings found that the challenges faced by stakeholders in the implementation of green finance in real estate in Malaysia such as the lack of consistency in defining green terms, public awareness of green financing and projects, profitability uncertainty, limited green finance initiatives, longer green finance processes, and a lack of green efficiency data. In order to address these challenges, several recommendations were suggested which include standardising terminology, raising public awareness, providing financial incentives, improving funding accessibility, streamlining procedures, and strengthening data collection and transparency. Thus, the findings provide the potential to pave the path for widespread adoption of green financing in Malaysia's real estate sector by overcoming constraints such as restricted rules and incentives.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF IMPLEMENTING ICT SYSTEMS IN OFFICE BUILDING MAINTENANCE IN KUALA LUMPUR

AU YONG CHEONG PENG — 2024-12-31

Maintenance is crucial for any building throughout its entire lifespan. The primary goal of building maintenance is to maintain all components and facilities in their original and functional condition to ensure continuous efficient operation. The widespread adoption of maintenance software has paved the way for more efficient communication within maintenance management, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of maintenance activities. Previous research has highlighted several challenges in the implementation of Information and Construction Technology (ICT) systems in maintenance management. This study aims to explore the key challenges associated with the use of ICT systems in maintenance management, with a specific focus on office buildings in Malaysia. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study, involving semi-structured interviews. A total of five interviewees were selected from three (3) office buildings. The findings show that two types of ICT systems—the Building Automation System (BAS) and the ARCHIBUS system—were utilised in the maintenance management of the three office buildings. This study identifies various issues and challenges that arise when implementing these ICT systems, including a lack of professional expertise in operating the systems, inaccurate information, risks of connection loss, time consumption, limitations in capability, cybersecurity threats, and financial constraints. Common issues faced across different management teams and ICT systems include a shortage of qualified personnel, time inefficiencies, and limitations in system capabilities. These challenges must be addressed promptly to enhance the efficiency and value of ICT systems in maintenance management. Effective building maintenance in office buildings is essential to ensure that all services and facilities operate smoothly and to prevent any potential downtime.