Bus Stop at Urban & Rural Area

Bus stop is a place where people stop and wait for the bus services. Can you imagine how is the difference between urban bus stop and rural bus stop?

Bus stop in front of Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur

Bus stop at KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur

Photos below show the bus stops in rural area.

Wild long grass around bus stop

Leaning bus stop?

When will the roof blow off?

Is the bus stop obvious and safe?

Can it support heavy rain?

Is it hanging?

Bus stop in rural area should be improved, even not as modern as that in urban area, however, they should be in good condition and well maintained.

The Temples in the World

The word of 'temple' originate from Latin word 'templum'. A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites.

Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world, is the largest temple in history located at the state of Cambodia, with the entrance facing West. This temple gives the inspiration to countless novels and action movies of Hollywood.

Other than Angkor Wat, Tiger's Nest Monastery or Taktshang, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan, perched on the edge of a 3000 feet high cliff in Paro Valley. It was completed in the year of 1692.

Prambanan, a Hindu temple in Central Java, Indonesia was built in 850 CE, and composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is characterized by its tall and pointed architecture, typical of Hindu temple architecture, and by the 47m high central building inside a large complex of individual temples.

Shwedagon Paya also known as the Golden Pagoda, is a 98 metres gilded stupa located in Yangon, Burma. According to legend, the Shwedagon Pagoda is 2500 years old. However, the exact date of this stupa was built is still a question.

The Temple of Heaven, literally as the Altar of Heaven, is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in southeastern urban Beijing, in Xuanwu District. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. This temple was constructed in 14th century by Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Chion-in Temple was built in 1234CE to honor the founder of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, a priest named Honen, who fasted to death in the very spot. The vast compounds of Chion-in include the site where Hōnen settled to disseminate his teachings and the site where he died.

Borobudur is a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Jaya, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

The Temple of Srirangam or Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli, is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world. The date of this temple was built is unknown but it existed in some form for the last 2000 years.

The 8 temples described above are the most amazing temples in the world, with their own historical background. They were existing since hundreds years ago, or even thousands years ago. Can you imagine how they built these temples by using the limited techniques and skills at the previous days?

Infrastructure assets categorized by function

Infrastructure typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, water supply, wastewater, power grids, flood management systems, telecommunications and so on. Most of these systems are typically owned and managed by governments or public utility companies. How to categorize infrastructures?

Transportation infrastructure:

• Road and highway networks, including structures (bridges, tunnels, culverts, retaining walls), signage and markings, electrical systems (street lighting and traffic lights) and edge treatements (curbs, sidewalks, landscaping).
  
• Railways, including structures, terminal facilities (railyards, trains stations), level crossings, signaling and communications systems.
  
• Canals and navigable waterways requiring continuous maintenance (dredging, etc.).
  
• Seaports and coastal navigation systems.
  
• Airports, including air navigational systems.
  
• Mass transit systems (commuter rail systems, subways, tramways, trolleys).
  
• Bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways.
  

Energy infrastructure:

• Electrical power network, including generation plants, electric grid, substations and local distribution.
  
• Natural gas pipelines, storage and distribution terminals, as well as the local distribution network.
  
• Steam production and distribution networks for district heating systems.
  

Water management infrastructure:

• Drinking water supply, including the system of pipes, pumps, valves and filtration and treatment equipment, including buildings and structures to house the equipment, used for the collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water.
  
• Sewage collection and disposal.
  
• Drainage systems (sewers, ditches, etc.).
  
• Major irrigation systems (reservoirs, irrigation canals).
  
• Major flood control systems (dikes, leeves, major pumping stations and floodgates).
  

Communications infrastructure:

• Telephone networks (land lines) including switching systems.
  
• Cellular phone networks.
  
• The portion of cable televisions networks including receiving stations and cable distribution networks.
  
• The portion of internet systems including high-speed data cables, routers and servers.
  
• Communications satellites and underseas cable.
  
• Private or dedicated telecommunications networks (such as those used for internal communication and monitoring by major infrastructure companies, by governments, by the military or by emergency services).

(Source: Wikipedia)

Introduction to Quality of Life

Well, I had missed out some important parts - an introduction to my topic, 'Quality of Life' in Infrastructure and Public Facility. What do you understand by 'Quality of Life'?

According to definition in Wikipedia, quality of life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people. Differ from standard of living, quality of life is not a tangible thing, and so cannot be measured directly.

Quality of life by Robert L. Schalock, American Association on Mental Retardation, it is an organizing concept that can be used for a number of purposes including evaluating those core dimensions associated with a life of quality, providing direction and reference in approaching customer services, and accessing one's feelings of satisfaction and well-being. The study of quality of life requires an in-depth knowledge of people and their perspectives, and also multiple methodologies.

For the quality of life in Malaysia, Malaysia is a friendly and hospitable places in the world to work and live in, while Malaysians are warm, friendly people who easily accept foreigners into their circle of friends. In addition, this country's tropical climate with its uniform temperatures allows light, comfortable clothing throughout the year. Expatriates and their families will enjoy a safe and comfortable living environment with 21st century amenities, good healthcare and medical facilities, excellent educational institutions, and world-class recreational and sports facilities - at costs much lower than in their own countries. One of the country's most distinctive features is its rich diversity of cultures, a heritage derived from its racial mix of some of the world's oldest civilisations - Malay, Chinese and Indian. This has enabled Malaysians to speak at least two and even three languages - Malay (the national language), English, and their own mother tongue. Living in such a cosmopolitan environment, Malaysians are warm, friendly people who easily accept foreigners into their circle of friends. Besides that, there is a wide selection of comfortable housing in Malaysia. The year-long warm and sunny climate offers an unsurpassed lifestyle for people who like outdoors activities, such as climbing mountains, snorkeling and scuba diving. For those prefer indoors, they can shop-until-they-drop in ultra-modern shopping complexes that offer the latest in designer fashions, leather goods and electronic items at very competitive prices. Even there are lots of famous and attractive local food in this country. Without any natural disaster, Malaysia can be said as a country with certain level of quality of life.

For this topic of Quality of Life, I will focus on the aspect of Infrastructures and Public Facilities. How's the quality infrastructure and public facilities in Malaysia as well as the foreign countries? Are there any special and distinctive examples around the world that will attract your attention? Just follow my blog! :)


(Source of definition: Internet)

Taipei City in the Morning

Bus Stop Advertisement

Bus stop advertisement? What it means?

Had you ever noticed that most of the bus stops are fully utilized by advertisers to publish the advertisements?

Here are some examples in our country, Malaysia.

This is a bus stop in front of Wisma KFC, Kuala Lumpur.

While this a bus stop located opposite of Wisma KFC, sponsored by UnionBay - functional as a bus stop and advertisement.


Bus stop in front of Suria KLCC, it is promoting and giving information.

Let's us see some examples from foreign countries.

A better way to get consumer's attention when they are waiting for bus at bus stop.

This Simpsons themed bus stop makes people feel that they are part of the chaotic cartoon.

Bus stop advertisements usually can give a better effect as it is a place for people to gather. Attractive and creative bus stop advertisements attract people to pay attention on them. A better way to get consumer's attention when they are waiting for bus at bus stop.

(Note: Photos from overseas are taken from internet)