This study was conducted in the first and the only marine protected area in Malaysia to include p... more This study was conducted in the first and the only marine protected area in Malaysia to include private land and recognize native customary rights (NCR) especially in matters regarding land. This exploration is especially timely for the communities in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP), where some are entitled to native rights and some have been given usufruct rights by native rights holders, and yet they are living in a gazetted park under Sabah Parks administration, a statutory body under Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment,. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the livelihoods impacts of park establishment on communities living within the park and the strategies to cope with the impacts. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyse the relationships among the institutional entitlement, which is the NCR, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during the fieldw...
The study focuses on critical analysis of how people relate to the institutional environment, whi... more The study focuses on critical analysis of how people relate to the institutional environment, which influences the relationships among ecotourism, community development, and conservation of parks and protected areas. It is crucial to examine the livelihoods impacts of park establishment on communities living within the park and the strategies undertaken to cope with changes. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyse the relationships among institutional processes and organizational structures (i.e. native customary rights, institutional arrangement), livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during three months of fieldwork. Although Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) has many attributes and potential to be suitable for ecotourism development, it was found that the local communities are not involved in ecotourism although dive operators are bringing divers and snorkelers to the park on a daily basis. Therefore, institutional support should be strengthened if ecotourism is to balance protection and become a livelihood strategy in TSMP.
International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR, 2018
The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful ... more The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful urban life and social isolation. In residential areas, neighborhood parks have an important function in supporting social integration and social bonding. Nevertheless, studies have indicated that these parks are not fully utilized for the benefits of residents which could be due to the lack of parks’ legibility. This paper investigates the interrelationship between park utilization and legibility of three neighborhood parks within new residential developments in Malaysia. The research findings are based on field observations and a questionnaire survey conducted with 387 residents of the areas. Results indicate a significant correlation between park utilization and park legibility, implying the potential for social interactions among residents within a legible park setting. The level of the park visual obstruction and the clarity of its structure were found to be strongly linked with park...
This study investigated the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional st... more This study investigated the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional structures, such as customary laws, can influence communities’ involvement in ecotourism. The Sustainable Livelihoods approach indicates ecotourism as a means of livelihoods diversification that connects the economic, sociocultural and environmental underpinnings of sustainability. Surprisingly, this study found out that although tourism is the main economic activity in Semporna, communities in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) are not involved in tourism. In conclusion, ecotourism as an alternative livelihood in TSMP can be achieved through efficient institutions i.e. the implementation of policies that are informed by the local situation. Keywords: Ecotourism; Sustainable Livelihoods; Institutional Arrangement; Marine Park
The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful ... more The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful urban life and social isolation. In residential areas, neighborhood parks have an important function in supporting social integration and social bonding. Nevertheless, studies have indicated that these parks are not fully utilized for the benefits of residents, which could be due to the lack of parks' legibility. This paper investigates the interrelationship between park utilization and legibility of three neighborhood parks within new residential developments in Malaysia. The research findings are based on field observations and a questionnaire survey conducted with 387 residents of the areas. Results indicate a significant correlation between park utilization and park legibility, implying the potential for social interactions among residents within a legible park setting. The level of the park visual obstruction and the clarity of its structure were found to be strongly linked with park utilization and the intensity of outdoor activities. However, certain critical physical characteristics including the critical density of population and gated neighborhoods may decrease the positive effect of park's legibility. The findings inform the crucial role of legible environment in the design and planning of neighborhood parks to afford socially responsive public spaces thus enhances the social life of urban dwellers.
This study was conducted in the first and the only marine protected area in Malaysia to include p... more This study was conducted in the first and the only marine protected area in Malaysia to include private land and recognize native customary rights (NCR) especially in matters regarding land. This exploration is especially timely for the communities in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP), where some are entitled to native rights and some have been given usufruct rights by native rights holders, and yet they are living in a gazetted park under Sabah Parks administration, a statutory body under Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment,. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the livelihoods impacts of park establishment on communities living within the park and the strategies to cope with the impacts. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyse the relationships among the institutional entitlement, which is the NCR, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during the fieldw...
The study focuses on critical analysis of how people relate to the institutional environment, whi... more The study focuses on critical analysis of how people relate to the institutional environment, which influences the relationships among ecotourism, community development, and conservation of parks and protected areas. It is crucial to examine the livelihoods impacts of park establishment on communities living within the park and the strategies undertaken to cope with changes. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyse the relationships among institutional processes and organizational structures (i.e. native customary rights, institutional arrangement), livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during three months of fieldwork. Although Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) has many attributes and potential to be suitable for ecotourism development, it was found that the local communities are not involved in ecotourism although dive operators are bringing divers and snorkelers to the park on a daily basis. Therefore, institutional support should be strengthened if ecotourism is to balance protection and become a livelihood strategy in TSMP.
International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR, 2018
The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful ... more The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful urban life and social isolation. In residential areas, neighborhood parks have an important function in supporting social integration and social bonding. Nevertheless, studies have indicated that these parks are not fully utilized for the benefits of residents which could be due to the lack of parks’ legibility. This paper investigates the interrelationship between park utilization and legibility of three neighborhood parks within new residential developments in Malaysia. The research findings are based on field observations and a questionnaire survey conducted with 387 residents of the areas. Results indicate a significant correlation between park utilization and park legibility, implying the potential for social interactions among residents within a legible park setting. The level of the park visual obstruction and the clarity of its structure were found to be strongly linked with park...
This study investigated the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional st... more This study investigated the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional structures, such as customary laws, can influence communities’ involvement in ecotourism. The Sustainable Livelihoods approach indicates ecotourism as a means of livelihoods diversification that connects the economic, sociocultural and environmental underpinnings of sustainability. Surprisingly, this study found out that although tourism is the main economic activity in Semporna, communities in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP) are not involved in tourism. In conclusion, ecotourism as an alternative livelihood in TSMP can be achieved through efficient institutions i.e. the implementation of policies that are informed by the local situation. Keywords: Ecotourism; Sustainable Livelihoods; Institutional Arrangement; Marine Park
The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful ... more The rising need for social interaction is evident particularly in urban areas due to a stressful urban life and social isolation. In residential areas, neighborhood parks have an important function in supporting social integration and social bonding. Nevertheless, studies have indicated that these parks are not fully utilized for the benefits of residents, which could be due to the lack of parks' legibility. This paper investigates the interrelationship between park utilization and legibility of three neighborhood parks within new residential developments in Malaysia. The research findings are based on field observations and a questionnaire survey conducted with 387 residents of the areas. Results indicate a significant correlation between park utilization and park legibility, implying the potential for social interactions among residents within a legible park setting. The level of the park visual obstruction and the clarity of its structure were found to be strongly linked with park utilization and the intensity of outdoor activities. However, certain critical physical characteristics including the critical density of population and gated neighborhoods may decrease the positive effect of park's legibility. The findings inform the crucial role of legible environment in the design and planning of neighborhood parks to afford socially responsive public spaces thus enhances the social life of urban dwellers.
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Papers by Nor Azlina Abu Bakar