A rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is predominantly due to unhealthy urban lifestyle (e.g. work stress, being sedentary and unhealthy eating habits. This paper identifies health issues in Malaysia, and it reviews preventive measures to make people aware of the importance of healthy living. The paper contends that green space is beneficial, which encourage people to make good choices about their health. It reviews, researches that show that green space support greater outdoor activities and influence healthy behaviors. Thus, green space in the built environment is a significant health promotion agenda that improves the urban quality of life.
Public squares function as open spaces where people can conduct many activities and events in the city. The 'life' of squares evolves and changes according to the contemporary demands of the people. Learning from the evolution of the City Square in Melbourne, Australia, this study aims to analyse how its designs changed over the years in order to accommodate city life. This study employs spatial analysis to examine the relationships between the square's physical characteristics with people's activities. The findings reveal that square designs ought to meet evolving social, physical and environmental needs to cater for future requirements and lifestyles.
Recreational public parks in Kuala Lumpur are provided to support leisure activities of city residents. The leisure activities include voluntary, recreation and social activities. Recreational parks have been recognised to play a positive reinforcement in promoting a healthy lifestyle, regarding physical health, social or even mental health. Nonetheless, some users have negative perceptions of recreational parks. The study investigates challenges pertaining to city residents' use and needs of recreational parks in Kuala Lumpur. Survey results from respondents who live in various zones in Kuala Lumpur were analysed to identify the parameters relevant for the study (n = 1617). The respondents' answers were statistically analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). The findings revealed challenges related to the use and needs of recreational parks, namely facilities, design aspect, maintenance and safety. The findings imply that similar challenges are prominent in many research papers in the last 15 years. In other words, the specific challenges identified in this study need more attention, should be evaluated closely and be solved for future improvement on the conditions of city's recreational parks. Through solving the pertinent aspects, comfortable spaces and activities that affect residents' health and well-being can be planned and managed.
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