Community-based tourism: landscape strategies to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Javanese

Community-based tourism (CBT) is a sustainable tourism model that generates income for communities while preserving heritage and culture. While CBT has the potential to empower local communities by involving them in decision-making and ensuring that tourism benefits them, it faces challenges in effectively representing the diverse aspects of Javanese culture. Inadequate display and interpretation of cultural elements can diminish their significance and appreciation, weakening cultural identity and a reduced sense of belonging among community members. Additionally, insufficient infrastructure for connectivity within the site constrains accessibility and limits its potential for tourism development. This study focuses on the CBT by the Malay-Javanese community, aiming to study the space organisation; identify the key lifestyle characteristics and cultural practices as the intangible parts; and architectural and landscape imageability as the tangible elements to enhance CBT experience. The case study is Kg. Hulu Chuchoh, Banghuris Homestay, which is located in Sepang, Selangor. The methods employed are document analysis, site inventory and analysis data gathered. Hence, the data is compared with the Kraton, Yogyakarta as the Javanese cultural heritage analysis significance. The research findings emphasize the importance of considering settlement layouts, cultural spaces facilitating interactions between locals and visitors, as well as tangible Javanese elements. There are several recommended landscape design strategies to enhance the CBT experience at Kg. Hulu Chuchoh while preserving the cultural heritage of the Javanese community.