landscape identity of cameron highlands hill station: soundscape

http://susci.um.edu.my/

ABSTRACT

Highland is one of the popular tourist spots as it hold a rich array of natural resources. The

economic and development growth of highlands gave potential effect on surrounding

environment. Noise pollution in developing highland area could interfere the ability to

comprehend the natural and environmental sounds. The soundscape research acquires a more

holistic approach, and has started to be discussed in order to improve the quality of city life.

The research was carried out through a series of field measurement and site observation at

selected landscape areas of Highland environment. The location, size, landform, activities and

landscape elements have significant influence on the soundscape. The results ascertained that

on average the selected landscape areas of highland environment dominated by traffic sound

and exceed the permissible sound level of 55 LAeq. Referring to the Planning Guidelines for

Environmental Noise Limits and Control (2007), the permissible sound level allowed for

suburban residential (medium density) areas, public spaces, parks, and recreational areas

from 0700 to 2200 is 55 LAeq.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This research is funded by University of Malaya Research Grant (UMRG)

project number RP009B-13SUS. The authors are grateful for the cooperation

given by the Cameron Highlands District Council throughout the research

process.

METHODS

Noise measurement was performed according to Planning Guidelines for Environmental Noise

Limit and Control 2007, using class 1 sound level meter (SLM) Cirrus ‘Optimus Green’. One

point of reference was located at each selected landscape areas. SLM attached with wind

protector was placed on a tripod stand at a height of 1.2m above the ground. The parameters

measured were LAeq. Measurements were taken during daytime from 0900 to 1700 (eight

hours) for holidays and non-holidays. Observation of activity, landscape features, as well as

vehicle types and total number that passed through the areas, were identified and recorded.

Site Selection

Noise Assessment

Tanah Rata

OBJECTIVES • To identify the soundscape and landscape elements

• To investigate the sound level in selected landscape areas

FINDINGS

40

50

60

70

80

0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700Time

Site A NH

Site B NH

Site C NH

A-w

eig

hte

d S

ou

nd

Pre

ssu

re L

eve

l (L

Aeq)

40

50

60

70

80

0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

Time

Site A H Site B

H Site C

H

A-w

eig

hte

d S

ou

nd

Pre

ssu

re L

eve

l (L

Aeq)

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

Site A Site B Site C

To

tal o

f vehic

les

(ca

r, m

oto

rcycle

, tr

uck, lo

rry &

bu

s)

12053

1063111551

12508

10774

12034

Holiday (H)

Non-Holiday (NH)

3 1

2

1 SITE A, B & C: LAeq, Daytime Holiday LAeq, Daytime Non-Holiday Total Number of Vehicles 2 3

SITE C (TR)

SITE A: Sketch of Section A-A (not to scale)

SITE A: Sketch of Layout Plan (not to scale)

SITE A (TR) SITE B (TR)

SITE B: Sketch of Layout Plan (not to scale) SITE C: Sketch of Layout Plan (not to scale)

SITE A: Sketch of Section B-B (not to scale)

SITE B: Sketch of Section A-A (not to scale)

SITE B: Sketch of Section B-B (not to scale)

SITE C: Sketch of Section A-A (not to scale)

SITE C: Sketch of Section B-B (not to scale)

SITE A

Sunken Landscape

Active & Passive Activity

SITE B

Flat Landscape

Passive Activity

SITE C

Undulate Landscape

Passive Activity

40

50

60

70

80

0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

PG & LAisland Holiday (CNY)

TIME

A-w

eig

hte

d S

ou

nd

Pre

ssu

re L

eve

l (L

Aeq)

Site EH

Site DH

4

40

50

60

70

80

0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

PG & LAisland non-holiday

TIME

A-w

eig

hte

d S

ou

nd

Pre

ssu

re L

eve

l (L

Aeq)

Site ENH

Site DNH

5

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000T

ota

l of

vehic

les

(car,

moto

rcycle

, tr

uck, lo

rry &

bu

s) Holiday

(H)Non-Holiday (NH)

8047

6873

5039

2135

Site A Site B

6

SITE D & E: LAeq, Daytime Holiday LAeq, Daytime Non-Holiday

Total Number of Vehicles

4 5

6

CAMERON HIGHLANDS

(Natural, Cultural, Heritage Values)

TANAH RATA

Largest township. Administrative centre

and tourist main attraction

BRINCHANG

Second largest and highest township.

Dense development. Green Area

within

township 3 Landscape Areas 2 Landscape Areas

PUBLICATIONS

Mastura, E., Hussein, H., & Che Din, N. (2014). Soundscape assessment of

Cameron Highlands Environment for Sustainable Development.

In Conference Proceeding SUDLiC2014, Malaysia.

Che Din, N., Mastura, E., & Hussein, H. (2015). Investigation on the

Soundscape Preference and Perception of Highlands Environment: A

preliminary study. In Conference Proceeding (ICSV22), Florence, Italy.

SITE D

Sunken & Raised Landscape

Active & Passive Activity

SITE E

Flat Landscape

Passive Activity

Sub-Program 2 Landscape Identity of Cameron Highlands Hill Station:

Soundscape Authors: Engku Mastura Engku Mohd Anuar *, Nazli Che Din * and Hazreena Hussein *

* Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya

Site B LAeq> Site A & C LAeq. During holiday and non-holiday, on average Site B

LAeq 55 to 70, Site A & C LAeq 50 to 60. Site B with flat landform, least vegetation

and near to primary road and bus/taxi station received high traffic sound

exposure. Traffic sound dominated Site B on holiday and non-holiday. Site A has

bigger land size, various vegetation, active/passive activity and sunken landform

along the primary road, whereas Site C has higher landform, vegetation, passive

activity and it is located further from the primary road. These features decreased

the perceived traffic sound and encourage people to utilize the areas. Traffic and

human sound dominated Site A & C mainly during holiday. Site A > vehicles

during holiday, Site B & C > vehicles during non-holiday.

Site E LAeq> Site D LAeq. On average, Site E LAeq 55

to 70 and Site D LAeq 50 to 60. Site D located further

from main road, near residential areas and provide

active activity (playground). During holiday and non-

holiday, traffic and human sound dominated Site D.

Site E located just next to main road and act as

transition from one space to another. Site is

dominated mainly by traffic sound. Site D & E >

vehicles during holiday.

The location, size, landform, activities and landscape elements have

influence on the soundscape

•Location- in close proximity to main road increase perceived traffic sound.

•Size- bigger land size give more space for various hardscape & softscape.

•Landscape features - sunken or higher landform act as sound barrier. Flat

landform allow higher sound exposure.

•Human activity/hardscape - provision both active and passive activity

encourage people to utilize thus generate human sound.

•Vegetation/softscape - various planting gives shades and attract birds

besides act as sound barrier.

SITE D: Sketch of Section A-A (not to scale)

SITE D: Sketch of Layout Plan (not to scale) SITE E: Sketch of Layout Plan (not to scale)

SITE D: Sketch of Section B-B (not to scale)

SITE E: Sketch of Section A-A (not to scale)

SITE E: Sketch of Section B-B (not to scale)

Brinchang