Thesis

Hussein, H. (2009) Therapeutic Intervention: Using Sensory Gardens to Enhance the Quality of Life for Children with Special Needs. Unpublished PhD thesis. Edinburgh College of Art. 

Abstract

This study investigates the design and use of sensory gardens in two special schools by evaluating their functional zones and how they are utilized, especially by children with special educational needs, and the staff who care for them. Preliminary site studies were undertaken in fourteen sensory gardens around the UK, followed by more detailed data collection at two case-study sites. The research aim was to find out the behaviour settings and issues that are common in sensory gardens. The research data collection included in-depth interviews, observation and behaviour mapping, which was used in conjunction with affordance theory. Drawing on Moore and Cosco’s methodology and approach (2007) in relation to inclusive parks, the findings from the data analysis discuss the researcher’s main findings, based on the two case-study sensory gardens. There are two main findings: Firstly, the layout of the circulation network enables user behaviour and use of area. Continuous pathways that link the sensory garden to the site context, with easy access to the functional behaviour settings that are placed along it, have the highest number of users. Secondly, users spent a longer time in zones where sensory, rather than aesthetic value, were emphasised. These main findings have been translated by the researcher into a subset of design recommendations that will be applicable across the majority of sensory gardens, and will assist landscape architects when they are designing sensory gardens in the future. 


Hussein, H. (1998) Urban Recreational Riverfronts: Successful revitalisation elements. Unpublished MA thesis. Manchester Metropolitan University. 

Abstract
The study investigates and identifies the characteristics of some current waterfront developments, mainly focusing on rivers in urban areas. Study begins with an attempt to understand how early settlements were established along waterway systems, later forming the towns, leading to the present day cities and their inherent traditional urban culture value. In order to understand the cultural criteria of cities selected as precedence, much attention will be given to pay high respect to the cities`character. This is one of the waterfront revival imperatives in the future; to acknowledge the historical and cultural background of the city where they are set by scrutinising their characteristics. Certain chapters will be dedicated to the abandonment of downtown riverfront and their revitalisation into recreational landscape areas. Several subjects under scrutiny include riverfront redevelopments from South East Asia within Singapore and Sarawak in Malaysia. These examples will then be compared in parallel with their counterparts in London, England as well as in Boston, USA. Of interest will be the synthesis of these observations while deriving similarities between formations from different parts of the world. The conclusion of this study can be systematically analysed and used as a guideline for future development in Malaysia.