Evaluation on the living environment of the People Housing Project (PHP) in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Abstract

The Government of Malaysia has made continuous effort to ensure accessibility to affordable housing among the low-income households, particularly in urban areas. The Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) or the People Housing Program (PHP) was introduced in the 8th Malaysia Plan, with the intention to relocate squatters as well as to develop affordable housing projects to provide comfortable houses for the low-income urban community with adequate infrastructure and basic amenities in suitable urban locations. Thus, in providing a sustainable, a physically healthy and quality living environment (indoor and outdoor), that would have significant influence in shaping human behaviour, productivity and development of an individual, family and community at large. It is the aim of this study to evaluate the existing living environment (indoor and outdoor) of the People Housing Project (PHP). The main objective however is to review literatures on the housing design, planning and living environment with the specific reference to the development of the People Housing Project (PHP). Another is to determine whether the current design, planning and living conditions meeting the needs and wellbeing of the households in terms of appropriateness and adequacy. Finally, is to identify the key factors of design and planning to achieve basic needs and well-being of the occupants. To achieve the aim and objectives of this study, qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted. The literature on the policy, development and laws relating to housing for the low-income families in Malaysia were reviewed. Two case studies, within the jurisdiction of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), were selected for evaluation. Observation and face-to-face interviews were employed to gauge the occupants’ opinions. Measurements of the house were also taken to analyze quantitatively the provisions of spaces in accordance with the Uniform Building By-law (UBBL). By and large, this study found that the residents’ satisfaction level of their living environment (indoor and outdoor) is low and that the physical and psychological conditions related to the key factors of adequacy, suitability, affordability and quality is far from qualifying them as comfortable domains.