Evolution of waterfront development in Lumut City, Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

This study on the evolution of waterfront development in Lumut through physical improvement serves as one component in the formation of a city from the economic, social and environmental aspects. The current study aims to review the elements of urban design that offer an alternative to the revitalisation of the waterfront city in Lumut, Malaysia, particularly to upgrade the physical environment quality and economic vibrancy of cities. The objectives of this study are as follows: (1) examine the consideration and perceptions of urban design aspects given by the respondents related to the evolution of a Lumut waterfront city, and (2) identify urban design elements that have evidence of significant contributions to the revitalisation of the aforementioned city. This research comprises two components. The first component explains the analysis based on observation and the obtained secondary information. The second component is the inventory study and analysis related to the city design in the study area. The theoretical study involves city image enhancement concepts, basic methods and principles in improving the structure of city elements. It also elaborates that any improvement or modification that should be done in any of the city elements must proceed through a proper channel and adhere to improvement or modification steps that have been proposed by design experts. The reason is to create harmony between the city elements with their surroundings to form an image that has identity, structure and meaning. With effective consideration, the proposed development must be closely assessed for its use and function before any project is endorsed and enforced. Issues discovered by this study will facilitate the formulation of strategies and suitable proposals, and automatically ensures improvement of the economic, social and environmental conditions.