Tsunami Responsive Architecture - Reducing Vulnerability Along the North-Western Coast of Malaysia

Abstract

On 26 December 2004, a Magnitude 9.0 underwater earthquake at the northern tip of the Northern Sumatra Island, Indonesia caused what is known as the Boxing Day Tsunami, claiming 75 lives in Malaysia, with many more people injured, and thousands needing to relocate to other areas. This earthquake and recent research on earthquakes and tsunamis indicates that Malaysian coastal dwellings are under threat from tsunamis in the future. For Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia), the threat comes from the Indian and Andaman and Nicobar oceans. This research focuses on reducing tsunami risk to the north-western coastal communities of Peninsular Malaysia, particularly Kuala Muda.

The aim of this research is to improve the tsunami resilience of future coastal developments and existing developed areas by protecting or shielding buildings and houses with large buildings or structures located closest to the beach. Matrices of design strategies were developed from the literature and findings from observations during on-site surveys. A robust master planning layout, new types of buildings, relocating of vulnerable public housing and improved protection for important buildings, strategic location of vertical evacuation structures, a seawall, and safe escape routes are key strategies that are proposed to help reduce the tsunami damage.

A series of surveys were used to gain feedback from the public and relevant authorities on the initial Tsunami Responsive Architecture (TRA) design proposal, beginning with face-to-face interviews and then setting up an exhibition and design presentation. The TRA design underwent several design iterations before a selected few urban design schemes were digitized and tested using numerical tsunami simulation, Cornell Multi-grid Coupled Tsunami modelling (COMCOT). This model generated tsunamis replicating the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in order to test the TRA designs.

The COMCOT simulations helped to develop and examine eight proposed TRA designs by studying the behaviour of the waves of regenerated 2004 Sumatra Tsunami when they reacted against the proposed buildings and a seawall. Based on the COMCOT simulations results, the conclusion is that it is possible to reduce future tsunami catastrophes at least partially by incorporating a whole and thorough tested development of coastal areas by utilising best-practice planning approaches in land-use, the types of housing and other building construction. Trained and educated coastal dwellers together with reliable early warning systems, will also contribute to reducing property damage and loss of lives in future tsunami events.

The initial findings from this TRA research are promising towards increasing the responsiveness of coastal buildings and development against future tsunamis, but there is much room for further development before it achieves its full potential and could be implemented.