Hentian Komuniti Mobile Apps
- UM Research
- May 9
- 4 min read
Cities can be challenging for pedestrians, with limited public amenities and complex navigation. Inspired by Japan’s Machinoeki concept, the Hentian Komuniti (Community Stops) mobile app transforms urban exploration and community engagement in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. The initiative encourages walking by combining technology, local culture, and sustainable practices, and fosters collaboration between local businesses and city councils.
First introduced in Japan by Eiji Tanaka in 2002, the concept of Machinoeki, which translates to “Town Rest Stops,” was introduced to revitalise towns. The term Machinoeki combines the words “machi” (town) and “eki” (station). It focuses on creating public spaces where pedestrians can rest, access complimentary amenities such as toilets and information centers, and learn about local businesses and culture. The core of Hentian Komuniti lies in its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, where businesses provide these amenities in exchange for increased visibility and pedestrian traffic. It is a win-win collaboration that promotes walkability and community engagement.
After the first introduction of Hentian Komuniti in Taiping, Perak, Hentian Komuniti was recently introduced in Subang Jaya’s vibrant SS15 neighbourhood; the Machinoeki concept has been adapted into the Hentian Komuniti app, the aptly named Hentian Komuniti@SS15 app. The innovation helps users locate “community stops” that offer free-to-use toilets, clean facilities, and local information, as it was pretty challenging to identify Hentian Komuniti when it was first introduced in Taiping. With its intuitive map feature, pedestrians can plan their walking routes from the SS15 LRT Station to various stops, making their journeys more convenient and enjoyable.
Dr. Yong Adilah from the Faculty of Built Environment at Universiti Malaya leads this innovative project. A specialist in urban design and transportation mobility, she collaborated with Dr. Asmiza binti Abdul Sani from the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology, Associate Professor Dr. Nikmatul Adha Nordin, and Dr. Nur Farhana Azmi from the Faculty of Built Environment to bring the app to life.
The research team mapped SS15 into two zones: Focus Area 1 (180 shops) and Focus Area 2 (242 shops), encompassing 422 businesses. They conducted site visits to evaluate these shops based on three criteria:
Availability of free and clean toilets.
Friendliness of shop owners.
Accessibility and type of business
In collaboration with Dr. Asmiza binti Abdul Sani from the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology, the app guides users to these community stops. It encourages businesses to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. Besides that, the Hentian Komuniti initiative contributes to key Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 11: Community Stops promote urban walkability by providing facilities such as free toilets at each stop, information centres, and access to city-related details.
SDG 16: The Community Stops fosters inclusivity by being universal, catering to all groups, communities, and tourists. They also encourage tolerance within the community and Public-Private Partnerships, eliminating the need for municipal councils to build free public toilets while ensuring the city remains clean due to the availability of facilities.
SDG 17: The Community Stops Support Public-Private Partnerships, contributing to sustainable development in SS15.
This app was developed with funding from the Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya (Subang Jaya City Council) through the Subang Jaya Smart Vibrant (SJSVCG) MBSJ 2023/2024 Community Grant. Six students from Universiti Malaya contributed to the project, gaining hands-on experience in software development, mapping, facility auditing, and user research.
One challenge addressed was convincing business owners of the app’s usefulness, as many were skeptical of its necessity despite being free. Demonstrating the completed mobile app helped build some confidence. The researchers have also requested that Subang Jaya City Council (MBPJ) feature the app on the official council website.
Additionally, business owners expressed the need for specific incentives to join the program. While they understood the project's opportunities and benefits, incentives from the council are crucial to fostering Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in this initiative. Urban Scale Sdn Bhd also supported this project as a collaborator.
By introducing the Hentian Komuniti app, this project has successfully connected local businesses and community needs, emphasising the importance of collaboration for urban sustainability. Beyond providing free and clean toilets, the app fosters partnerships with local authorities and business owners, encouraging the creation of pedestrian-friendly spaces in SS15. The app simplifies city navigation while promoting walkability and community engagement through features like intuitive maps and information on facilities. As a result, it inspires a shared commitment to maintaining the area, ensuring a cleaner, more inclusive, and accessible urban environment.
#UrbanInnovation #SmartCities #CommunityEngagement #SustainableLiving #WalkableCities #PublicPrivatePartnership #UrbanDesign #SmartMobility #SDGs #InclusiveCities #TechForGood #UrbanSustainability #CommunityDevelopment #SmartTech #GreenCities
Researchers Featured:
Dr. Yong Adilah Shamsul Harumain
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03-7967681
Associate Professor Dr. Nikmatul Adha Nordin
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
Dr Asmiza Binti Abdul Sani
Department of Software Engineering
Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology
Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03-79676302
Sr Dr Nur Farhana Binti Azmi
Department of Building Surveying
Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03-79675391
Author:
Ms Farah Hannan Abd Nasir
A PhD student from the Physics Department who’s eager to blend science and storytelling - my goal is to make science relatable and exciting for everyone. When I’m not researching organic electronics, I enjoy playing the viola and painting with watercolours.
Image by: Freepik
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
Nurhazrin Zanzabir, Assistant Administrative Officer, UM
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