The potential of vertical greenery as public art in Malaysian urban context

Abstract

This study focuses on three research dimensions, namely vertical greenery (VG), public art (PA) and the implementation of VG as PA in the Malaysian urban context. VG is greenery where plants can be grown on, up, or against internal or external walls of buildings or as freestanding structures. PA is a structure or a form that contains an artistic expression, placed in a freely accessible public space for people to view. An urban area is in need of more greenery in its surroundings. One way to increase greenery is by implementing VG. However, its usage must be explored creatively to ensure its survivability in Malaysia. PA, on the other hand is generally used in Malaysia to decorate public spaces and to fill empty urban spaces. This scenario contradicts with the ultimate objective of public art as an artistic expression that can be used by the public. Hence, there is a need to improve the selection and appearance of PA. Most research on VG focuses on environmental and technical aspects whilst the creative methods to approach VG are seldom researched, especially in Malaysia. As such, this problem offers an opportunity to integrate VG with public art in urban spaces. A place with a combination of art and aesthetics with environmental principles would become a new urban art that extend VG’s survivability in the future. This study therefore aims to explore the potentials and approach of the implementation of vertical greenery as public art in the Malaysian urban context. Three objectives are formulated: (i), To study the significance of vertical greenery, public art and the possibilities of vertical greenery’s implementation as public art, (ii) To identify the Malaysian public`s perspective on the implementation of vertical greenery as public art, and (iii) To propose design consideration guidelines for the implementation of vertical greenery as public art in the Malaysian urban context. A review of literature was carried out to explore research dimensions related to the topics. A mixed-method research was conducted using three main data collection methods; (i) field inventory of 15 selected reference sites, (ii) semi-structured interview with experts in the field of VG and PA, and (iii) online survey with the Malaysian public. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and content analysis. Field inventory of the 15 reference sites observed that the existing VG on the sites have shown great potential to be appreciated as PA. Furthermore, all five experts were in agreement with the idea and believe that VG has high potential to be approached as PA. There are five main reasons for this; to sustainably capitalise on the abundance of natural resources in Malaysia, to be a leader in VG for South East Asia (SEA) region, to support the nation’s green aspiration, for sustainability and to have an artistic green wall. In addition, results from online surveys conducted with members of the public (n=117) yield positive outcomes. These surveys consisted responses on the public’s familiarity with the terminologies (i.e. VG and PA), awareness of VG in an urban environment, and the potentials of VG to become a PA. Henceforth, the design consideration guideline to implement VG as PA in the Malaysian urban context is proposed in this study. The guideline is generated based on four main aspects, namely social, environmental, physical and economic. In essence, the results imply that VG has extended beyond the environmental benefits to include the ability to function as an art form for urban dwellers. This will ensure its survivability in the future, not merely as being a trend that will fade away.