Residential satisfaction and preference of muslim residents of low-cost housing in Kano & Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

Numerous studies have been undertaken on residential satisfaction (RS) and residential preference (RP); this is because of the importance of these constructs. This study assesses the RS and RP of the Muslim Hausa (Kano, Nigeria) and Muslim Malay (Kuala Lumpur) residing in public low-cost housing. It also compares between the two (2) Muslim groups on their RP. It is believed that even though the Hausa and the Malay are Muslims their RP will vary. Five hundred (500) questionnaires were administered to Hausas and Malays of selected low-cost housing in both Kano and Kuala Lumpur (KL). The concept of RS was measured on four (4) environments; dwelling environment, neighbourhood environment, management services, and social-cultural environment. RP was assessed on four (4) main components; the residence, the neighbourhood, socio-cultural factors and socio-economic factors. The RS and RP variables used in the questionnaire were derived from extant literature on RS and RP respectively. This was done by collating all the variables used in the previous studies and selecting the ones that are applicable in Kano and Kuala Lumpur. Data was analyzed using SPSS through descriptive, and Pearson’s r for demographic characteristics, t-tests for comparisons, satisfaction and preference indexes, habitability indexes (HI) and importance indexes (IMI) for RS and RP. Findings indicate that the respondents in Kuala Lumpur are generally more satisfied with the low-cost housing provided compared to the Kano respondents, the habitability indexes in Kuala Lumpur was; low on the dwelling environment, medium on the neighbourhood and management services and high on the socio-cultural environment. On the contrary, all the four (4) RS environments had low habitability indexes in Kano. With regards to RP, the four components of RP had high importance indexes in Kuala Lumpur as opposed to Kano where they were low. Comparison between the Hausa and Malay respondents on their RP shows that they differed significantly on all the fifteen (15) RP variables. With regards to RS their level of satisfaction was similar on all the twenty six (26) RS variables examined, with the exception of the variables: size of bedroom, number of bedroom, location of living room, location of kitchen, frequency of crime, and level of noise. Therefore, the location of future low-cost housing in both locations should be in a secure and peaceful neighbourhood. Furthermore, proper attention should be accorded to the size of bedroom and units should be built with more number of rooms to cater for larger families this is in order to improve the quality of life and general well being of the residents.