Residents` perceptions of back lanes in terrace housing in Precint 9, Putrajaya : towards achieving sustainable neighbourhood

Abstract

A back lane can be defined as a narrow street behind buildings which plays various functions and is the basic feature in terrace housing development. A study on the effectiveness of utilization and provision of back lanes in sustainable neighbourhood planning is initiated based on the issues regarding back lanes in terrace housing planning. The research focuses on residents` perception towards the existing condition and functions of backlanes, the impact to the homeowners` privacy, community development and social interaction in the study area as well as safety and security of the back lane. Precinct 9, Putrajaya was selected due to its new approach to housing development as Putrajaya has introduced the fenceless neighbourhood concept which gives impact on the utilization of back lanes. To do so, a random sampling of 65 sets of questionnaire was distributed to the residents in Precinct 9 who have been using back lanes. The data were further analysed using Relative Important Index (RII) and Spearman rho. The result indicates that there is significant relationship between respondents and the impact of different back lane designs. Further, result also shows that the residents were not satisfied with the safety and security within the neighbourhood area as property crimes always occur, often affected their privacy and there is lack of social interaction due to the shortage of gazebos and benches. Therefore, some suggestions were given such as upgrading placement of lamp posts, enhancing landscape elements by providing softscape and hardscape and maintaining the back lane areas with cooperation between the residents and local authority.