Dr. Melasutra is a Registered Town Planner under the Town Planner Act (Act 538) and also a member of Malaysian Association of Social Impact Assessment. She has 22 years of experience in University Malaya as lecturer at Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Faculty of Built Environment. Her teaching subjects are related to urban land use planning, social planning, planning theory and recreational planning. While serving UM, she also involved in several researches and consultancy services on Social Impact Assessment, Urban Redevelopment, Development Plan studies. She has been appointed as Council Member for Petaling Jaya City Council in 2008-2012 and be part of the One Stop Center committee. During the tenure she was also appointed as Panel Member for Local Agenda 21 of the city. She is now carrying out collaboration research with Nippon Foundation under the preview of Asean University Network- Disbability and Public Policy on research Towards Inclusive Learning Environment. She has pu
Social capital in women’s cyclone preparedness, response and recovery: a case of women-headed households in Bangladesh Saima Rahman, Safiah Muhammad Yusoff, Melasutra Md Dali Open House International, 2025 PurposeThis study explored the social capital received by women household heads (WHHs) as informal assistance during recurring cyclones and investigated the contributions of various social capital to women’s cyclone-related preparedness, responses and recovery.Design/methodology/approachThis research focused on women-headed households in Gabura Union, a southwest coastal area in Bangladesh. Data were collected using a mixed methods approach, yielding 114 survey responses and 44 semi-structured interviews. Descriptive and narrative analyses, including various statistical tests, were used to evaluate the data.FindingsThe findings reveal that the bonding capital assistance received by WHHs was prevalent across all cyclone phases, whereas bridging capital support was available only during response and recovery; the interviewed WHHs expressed satisfaction with the former but not with the latter. Although insufficient, bridging capital still plays an important role in cyclone preparedness and recovery. The analysis also shows that women who are older adults, financially disadvantaged, and live without an earning male family member are prioritised for assistance.Originality/valueThis study adds to the existing literature on the role of social capital in coping with cyclone-related hazards, addressing the research gap on women or women-headed households, who are the most affected victims of recurring cyclones in coastal Bangladesh.
Enhancing Sustainability: A Systematic Review of the Livable Neighborhood Life Circle and Its Prospects in China Lei Qi, Yong Adilah Shamsul Harumain, Melasutra Md Dali Sustainability Switzerland, 2025 In recent years, chrono-urbanism has ushered in the x-minute city concept. Effectively combined with the life unit concept, it introduced a new perspective—the neighborhood life circle. This emerging urban decision-making and planning paradigm represents China’s attempt to address the “urban disease” arising from rapid urbanization recently, attracting global attention for its implementation of sustainability. This study aims to reveal the driving factors behind the livable neighborhood life circle amid rapid urbanization by conducting a systematic review of relevant empirical research within China’s context. We used Scopus and WoS as search databases, identifying and extracting a literature review of 67 publications from 2010 to 2025. The findings indicate that the driving factors of a livable neighborhood life circle are a structure constructed comprising social well-being, management and regulation, the built environment, and economic vitality, which are interconnected in multiple ways. This study has advanced discussions on the livable neighborhood life circle and expanded the existing knowledge and literature. It has also deepened insights into how sustainability concepts impact livable neighborhood life circles in China. The study offers insights into four aspects: the systematization of concepts and driving factors related to the neighborhood life circle in China, the development of assessment tools, the establishment of new planning paradigms, and the localization of implementation frameworks. Additionally, it further enriches the global application of the x-minute city and the neighborhood life circle.
Enhancing Livability: A Systematic Review of Sustainable Neighborhood Facilities and Their Perspectives in China Lei Qi, Yong Adilah Shamsul Harumain, Melasutra Md Dali Sustainability Switzerland, 2025 Neighborhood facilities received global attention in sustainability implementation because they meet the daily needs of residents and represent the relationship between them, neighborhoods, and cities. This study aims to reveal the factors influencing sustainable facilities in Chinese neighborhoods under rapid urbanization through a systematic review of relevant empirical studies and the Chinese context. This review looks through the Scopus and WoS databases for 59 papers published between 1981 and 2025 on the implementation of sustainable neighborhood facilities; additional evidence was collected from neighborhood sustainability assessments (NSAs) conducted around the world and China’s current relevant regulations in neighborhood facilities for the literature review. The findings indicate that the influencing factors of sustainable neighborhood facilities are an intersubjective structure of providers, recipients, and coordinating mediators. This study extends the current knowledge and literature on sustainable neighborhood facilities and deepens our understanding of how sustainability implementation standards and decision-making influence these facilities to improve livability in China. Meanwhile, it also provides a perspective on four aspects, including the compilation of influencing factors, the development of assessment tools, the categorization assessment, and the development of a framework of sustainable neighborhood facilities in China. In addition, it further enriches sustainable cities and neighborhoods in applications worldwide.
Does small mean unimportant? A review of pocket park values and associated factors Jun Li, Nikmatul Adha Nordin, Melasutra Md Dali Open House International, 2025 PurposeThis study aims to explore the value of pocket parks and associated factors, as well as the differences between pocket parks and other green spaces, and finally to identify the role of pocket parks in cities.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a systematic literature review method to identify 85 articles from the Web of Science and other sources. The Nvivo12plus software was employed to qualitatively analyse the value of pocket parks, and the key associated factors were visualised via the NVivo word cloud function.FindingsAs a result, pocket parks reflected high social, environmental ecological, cultural aesthetic values but low economic value. Compared to other large-scale green spaces, the particularity of pocket parks lies in their ambiguity and temporality of space and high reliance on the surrounding environment. Small and scattered pocket parks in the city are like “convenience stores” and “green magnets”, and connectivity should be strengthened to promote urban regeneration.Originality/valueCompared with previous studies that mostly focused on large urban green spaces, the originality of this study is that it elaborates on the importance and values of pocket parks and proposes the particularity and roles of pocket parks in cities, which enriches the theoretical knowledge of pocket parks. In terms of practical applications, the proposed diverse values and associated factors contribute to guiding the planning, management and operation of pocket parks. Moreover, the roles of pocket parks help enhance park connectivity and establish a park network system.
WOMEN’S AGILITY IN COPING WITH CYCLONE AND CYCLONE-INDUCED HAZARDS: A CASE STUDY ON FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS IN COASTAL BANGLADESH Saima Rahman, Safiah Yusmah Muhammad Yusoff, Melasutra Md Dali Planning Malaysia, 2025 Women's coping capacity and adaptation practices lead to transformed social roles and responsibilities, making them essential for building resilience against cyclones and cyclone-induced hazards. This study aimed to investigate the evolution and agility of women's coping mechanisms, adaptive capacities, and available resources in response to cyclones and cyclone-induced hazards. A mixed-method approach, comprising questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews, was adopted to collect data from women in female-headed households in Gabura Union, a coastal area of Bangladesh. The findings reveal these women's impressive and transformative adaptation capacity. Their local knowledge, skills, and resilience have helped their families cope with recurrent and intensified cyclone events. In the absence of husbands, female heads have taken on work outside the home, migrated for jobs, and performed full household responsibilities. They make decisions, maintain connections with communities and organizations, and gain self-empowerment through knowledge of the outside world. Consequently, their adaptive capacity in the face of cyclones and related hazards has increased. The results also indicate that response and adaptation transformations depend on the female heads' socio-economic condition. These findings are valuable for developing a sustainable and inclusive cyclone-resilient plan for women.
Where is the basic community infrastructure? Seeking for rural community transformation through community infrastructure planning in Sarawak, Malaysia Mark Edward Tuah, Peter Aning Tedong, Melasutra Md Dali Open House International, 2024 PurposeThis study investigated the role of community infrastructure planning in Sarawak, Malaysia, by concentrating on the obstacles that hinder effective governance of community infrastructure planning.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative approach via case study design was adopted in this study. The Song District, located in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia, was selected as the case study area. Semi-structured interview sessions were conducted with 21 respondents who belonged to the government agencies involved in rural community infrastructure planning and village community representatives to capture their views on community infrastructure development planning in the selected district. The gathered responses were analysed thematically and the outcomes are discussed.FindingsThe findings revealed that although the development of community infrastructure in Song District has progressed and has exerted transformative impacts on rural livelihood, several challenges were identified in the delivery of community infrastructure. The four main themes of challenges that emerged from the data were location factors, financial resources, cooperation and collaboration of stakeholders, as well as community involvement. The outcomes disclosed that, in terms of governance, the institutional roles of the community, stakeholders and government agencies must be integrated throughout the rural community infrastructure planning process to resolve the emerging challenges effectively so that the demands of the rural community are met meritoriously.Social implicationsAn effective and efficient community infrastructure planning approach ascertains that the community infrastructure development gaps in rural areas are bridged and brings fruition to the rural communities for their livelihood transformation.Originality/valueThis paper delineates a view on the governance aspect of community infrastructure planning in Sarawak, Malaysia, that is largely untapped. The study outcomes may facilitate practitioners and academics to move forward and recommend improvements in the approach to rural community infrastructure planning.
IDENTIFYING STAKEHOLDERS' ROLES WITH NET-MAPS: PAVING SAFER WALKS TO SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN IN MALAYSIA Yong Adilah SHAMSUL HARUMAIN, Chiaki MATSUNAGA, Zafirah Al Sadat ZYED, Nur Farhana AZMI, Melastura MD DALI Transport Problems, 2024 The study’s primary objective is to investigate stakeholders’ roles in paving safer walks to school for children in Malaysia using Net-Maps. Net-Map, a systematic and interactive participatory technique, is employed to visualize and analyse complex social networks, aiding in the identification of key stakeholders and influential individuals. By leveraging this methodology, the study identifies crucial stakeholders essential for assessing the feasibility of walking to school in Malaysia. This approach enhances collaboration among stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, contributing to shared objectives in improving pedestrian safety. The study found that government and political support, adequate budget allocation, and prioritizing safety are critical factors in advancing walking-to-school initiatives. Active stakeholder participation in decision-making is essential for securing their endorsement, which is vital for the successful implementation of these projects. Engaging stakeholders early ensures that safety measures are effectively implemented and sustained. Involving stakeholders in decision-making helps tailor policies to the unique needs of different regions in Malaysia, ensuring resources are efficiently allocated where they are most needed.
Community Transformation through Community Infrastructure Planning: A Case Study of Song District, Sarawak Mark Anak Edward Tuah, Peter Aning Tedong, Melasutra Md. Dali, and Jurnal Kejuruteraan, 2023 The development of community infrastructure is fundamental to the socio-economic growth of a region and its community. Nevertheless, the development of rural community infrastructure still remains a challenge in some rural areas which affects the standard of living in the communities. In Malaysia, community infrastructure planning remains a key component of Malaysia’s rural development policies and strategies that needs to be amplified in ensuring the sustainable development of rural areas. This paper examines the role of community infrastructure planning in transforming rural communities’ quality of life which includes the impacts of community infrastructure planning to community’s livelihood transformation and challenges that comes with it. This study adopts the qualitative approach involving semi-structured in-depth interviews with relevant government agencies involved in the rural community infrastructure planning process. Based on a study carried out in Song District, Sarawak, the findings finds that while the respondents agreed that development of community infrastructure in the district have created transformational effects to the communities’ livelihoods, there were various challenges to the delivery of community infrastructure projects to certain areas within the district in addition to satisfying the needs to the community. The discussion suggests that in terms of governance, integration of institutional roles of stakeholders, involving government agencies and community needs to be emphasize in the rural community infrastructure planning process to deal with the many challenges in order to fulfill the rural communities’ needs
Connectedness among Urban Parks from the Users’ Perspective: A Systematic Literature Review Jun Li, Melasutra Md. Dali, Nikmatul Adha Nordin International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023 Although many benefits of urban green space networks have been consistently demonstrated, most of the discussion on space connectivity has concentrated on ecological aspects, such as patch–corridor–matrix connectivity. There are limited systematic studies that have investigated the connectedness between urban parks and people. This study aimed to explore the connectedness among urban parks from the users’ perspective by using a systematic literature review. By following the PRISMA protocol and analyzing 54 studies from Scopus and Web of Science between 2017 and 2022, we proposed the concepts of physical connectedness and perceived connectedness. The “physical connectedness” contained the dimensions of road attributes and park attributes, as well as six categories including physical accessibility, street connectivity, the street environment, spatial scale, facilities and amenities, and natural elements. The “perceived connectedness” mainly referred to people’s perception of the physical environment. The four categories were perceived accessibility, perceived safety, aesthetics, and Kaplan’s perceptual model. Finally, in terms of individual attributes, the impact of sociodemographic factors (age, gender, income, education, and occupation) and the motivation for activity on park connectedness were also taken into account. On the basis of our findings, this study suggested that park connectedness should not only focus on physical connectedness but also perceived connectedness.
MARKETING AND PROMOTING THE CONCEPT OF MALAYSIAN HERITAGE GARDEN Urban Development and Lifestyle, 2020
A comparative study of the Malaysian Garden Concept (MGC) criteria application on the public parks International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 2020
