Urban Ecosystem Studies in Malaysia

Abstract

This book examines issues between natural environment and urban ecosystem in Malaysia. The interface between urban geography and environmental studies is a very interesting one as it links the interrelationship between environment and development processes. Urban geographers provide methods of research, information and knowledge of urban environment, its theory and application. Such knowledge is important for managing our urban land use in a sustainable and systematic manner. Urban related issues such as land use, planning, urban governance and environmental degradation are among the topics discussed by the authors of this book through a multi-discipline approach. This book highlights latest research and studies cases and then discusses them based on Malaysian experiences.

About the Author

Noorazuan Md Hashim is a lecturer/researcher specializing in hydrology and urban water resource management attached at the Center for Social, Development and Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia. He is currently pursuing his PhD research in remote sensing application in urban hydrology at University Of Manchester, UK. He earned his BSc in Geography from Universiti Malaya in 1992, and MA in Geography from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1995. Noorazuan is a member of the Young Professional Forum for Malaysia National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (YPF-MANCID). Within the six years period of his attachment with UKM, he managed to produce more than 30 publications including journals, book chapters and proceedings related to his field and another 20 unpublished scientific articles/reports.

Dr. Ruslan Rainis has been working as lecturers in Geography Section since 1991. Presently Associate Professor and Coordinator of the GIS and Remote Sensing Program, Geography Section, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Malaysia. His research interests include applied urban modelling; implementation and diffusion of GIS; and the design and applications of GIS and remote sensing for urban land use, business and environmental planning. He has authored/co-authored 3 other books and more than 50 journal articles/book chapters related to his field of expertise. He has numerous consultancy experiences in the design, implementation and applications of GIS and remote sensing in urban and environmental planning such as Penang GIS (PEGIS), Perda GIS, Klang Valley Regional Planning Support System (KV-RPSS) and Selangor Darul Ehsan GIS (GIS). He is a member of various national committees on GIS and remote sensing such as the National Mapping and Spatial Data Committee, National Remote Sensing Committee and National GIS Standard Technical Committee. He also served as Editorial Board member of Geoinformation Science Journal and Malaysian Journal of Remote Sensing and GIS. He has Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning (UTM), BA Urban and Regional Planning (Miami, Ohio), Master of City and Regional Planning and PhD City and Regional Planning (Ohio State).