Managing environmental sensitivity: optimizing resources & embracing clean energy design practice at Perhentian Kecil Island, Terengganu / Sabariah Mansor

Today, the increase of population also means that the demand for resources is on the rise. Human activity is overloading the atmosphere with carbon dioxide and other global warming emissions, which create significant and harmful impacts on our planet. As the natural resources such as fossil fuels, minerals and metal ores are becoming scarce, green technologies are introduced. Perhentian Kecil Island is the jewel of Terengganu and has become one of the greatest attraction to the tourism industry. The island which is located at the South China Sea is enjoying the richness of biodiversity, virgin forest and plenty of resources from wind and sunlight. Therefore, this is seen as an opportunity for a landscape architect to fully utilize the marriage of nature and technology on the island. Clean energy design practice refers to the designs that using renewable energy approach to produce electricity and at the same time has very minimum or zero impact towards the environment. That what makes it as 'clean' and this leads to the bigger picture of 'sustainable development'. Being a marine park island of Malaysia, Perhentian Kecil Island is not only unique but also facing the issue of energy inefficiency and poor environmental and physical management. The status as marine park is due to its sensitiveness and importance to be protected as it carries values to the land based and water based wildlife habitats. Therefore, it is crucial to manage the environmental sensitive area but at the same time being able to function and serve the community and economy so that both of the target users are able to enjoy the God's creation. This study is believed to be able to introduce the technology in respect to the natural environment.