SCHOOL OF ART & DESIGN/AIC 2 /ESTHER CHAN YUEN YIN/A3505/IAD YEAR 2

ARCHITECTURE IN CONTEXT 2: STUDY VISIT REPORT COMMUNITY LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING MALAYSIA

PPR LAKSAMANA JALAN PEEL & PPR COCHRANE JALAN NAKHODA YUSOF, WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR
ESTHER CHAN YUEN YIN A3505 MR. MUHAMAD RAZIF NASRUDDIN

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CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................................3 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................3 1.2 Aim and Objectives ..............................................................................................................................................3 1.3 Research Methodology ........................................................................................................................................4 2. CHAPTER 1: How Exterior and Surrounding Environment Affecting Resident Living Condition in Public Housing? .5 2.1 Location ...............................................................................................................................................................5 2.2 Amenities and Maintenance.................................................................................................................................6 2.3 External Environment and Safety ........................................................................................................................8 2.4 Building Materials, Structure Defect and Workmanship Quality. ........................................................................ 10 3. CHAPTER 2: How Indoor Environment Affecting Resident Living Condition in Public Housing? ............................. 13 3.1 Internal Layout, Space Usage and Indoor Environment .................................................................................... 13 4. Recommendations and Suggestions. ....................................................................................................................... 16 4.1 Survey Data Collection from Residents in Public Housing ................................................................................. 17 5. Conclusion. .............................................................................................................................................................. 18 REFERENCE LIST ...................................................................................................................................................... 19 ILLUSTRATION LIST ................................................................................................................................................... 21 APPENDIX A................................................................................................................................................................ 22

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction According to the UNDP 1997 Human Development Report and 2004 United Nations Human Development (UNHDP) report, Malaysia has the highest income disparity between the rich and poor in Southeast Asia, greater than that of Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia. The UNHDP Report shows that the richest 10% in Malaysia control 38.4% of the economic income as compared to the poorest 10% who control only 1.7%. Eventually it contribute to housing or property inequality, Kuala Lumpur as the capital of Malaysia has an increasing number of squatters, shanty towns and slums. It is also seeing an increase in criminal acts such as snatch theft, robberies and rape. (Income Disparity in Malaysia, Wikipedia, 2013)

Further to the economic recession in the late 1997, Peoples Housing Project (Program Perumahan Rakyat or PPR) schemes in cities and major towns for the resettlement of squatters has been implemented in order to ensure its citizen, particularly lower income groups, to enjoy the benefits of adequate, affordable and quality housing. This programs aimed to create a balance between physical and environmental development, and human development based on noble universal rules as stated in the Total Planning Development Guidelines. (Government of Malaysia, 2001)

1.2 Aim and Objectives The aim and objectives of this paper is to examine and analyze the relationship between public housing and community living environment in Malaysia. In between architecture and social matter, I personally think that architecture should not set a boundary between the rich and poor society, it

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should provide the best for all classes of community. Not a single man should be deprived from a decent and safe living environment, a place where it is not merely for basic shelter but a foundation of creating a happy healthy family, an environment where it is capable of fostering the spirit of neighborliness as well as encouraging interaction among all levels of society despite which social class one belongs to.

A quality communal living environment contributes towards good society which practices noble values. It is within the communal living environment that interaction takes place, families are nurtured, noble values are developed and services are shared. Therefore, this is an architectural issue that should be analyze and improve because a large percentage of community with low income and poor families will have to rely on living in public housing to survive especially owing a house made it difficult these days. (Government of Malaysia, 2001).

1.3 Research Methodology The research is based on both visit from primary and secondary data. Primary data on the problem of community living environment in public housing were gathered through personal site analysis and case study on government public housing located at PPR Laksamana, Jalan Peel and PPR Cochrane Perkasa, Jalan Nakhoda Yusof. Through personal survey with 100 residents at their houses during weekdays and weekends. Site visits were made through observations and photographs were taken to confirm the physical environment and amenities provided for the residents. Secondary data on government housing development were gathered from Malaysian official documents.

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2. CHAPTER 1: How Exterior and Surrounding Environment Affecting Resident Living Condition in Public Housing?

In 2003, Human Rights Commission of Malaya criticized that the Malaysian government only carried out official planning and implementation of the low-cost housing schemes for the poor society but failed to address the issues related to habitability, suitability, defects and shoddy workmanship, lack of maintenance and physical safety of the residents. (Suhakams Observations, Recommendations and Conclusions: Human Right Commission of Malaysia, 2003). This first part of the paper is to discuss about the finding of exterior and surrounding environment in selected public housing and how it is affecting the residents.

2.1 Location The National Housing Department is working closely with state governments to ensure that these houses are built in suitable locations. (Government of Malaysia: 2005). Both selected public housing is located in the city, near to school, mall, religious center, government building and accessible to public transportation such as buses and light rail transit (LRT). However, these houses are located near to major route and highways causing a huge threat as we understand how vehicular pollution affects the heath of people living close to the highways despite the constant noise nuisance. Growing numbers of studies have shown that smaller particulates emitted by trucks and cars barreling down our nations highways can promote heart disease, strokes and immune systems. Try to imagine how notorious these living condition can affect families with senior citizen and children in their homes whether or not they are not on the street and even a young healthy man can be poorly affected living in a polluted condition in the long term. It is suggested that sound barrier to be erected and lined with trees as a natural barrier that can eliminate up to 80% of ultrafines. (Big Road Blues, Tuft Now, 2012)

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2.2 Amenities and Maintenance The provision of infrastructure and social facilities aimed at promoting social well-being for all and ensure equitable and communal living environment. These public housing are equipped with vehicle parking area, motorcycles bay, playground, park, basketball field, badminton court, mosque, convenient shops, clinic, business center, and management office.

Figure 1, 2 & 3: The physical condition at the basketball field, playground and park.

Upon observation on the site visit, it is found that most of the amenities and facilities are poorly maintained, the paint from the badminton court wall is peeling off due to the weather, pebbles are everywhere on the park especially children playground area where it can be very dangerous, the footpaths on the park for disabled are cracked and inappropriately installed. Most of the time the parking for vehicle is insufficient even parking for the disabled has been taken, people would double park their car and leave the hand break off. A better planning on the usage of parking spaces should

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be introduce such as providing at least one parking lot for each house and design angled parking to maximize the usage of parking area.

Figure 4, 5 & 6: Even during the day, car parking spaces is insufficient even people have gone out for work.

Apart from that, there is no proper motorcycles bay that equipped with metal bars for locking the motorcycles, cracked tile and floor are not been replaced all over the buildings, therefore causes uneven ground to collect water and wet grounds that is not suitable for elderly and childrens. On the side of sanitation matters, the maintenance services for collection of waste are inadequate. Not merely that it causes odour nuisance to the surrounding areas, there is basically no clean water to clean this area after the waste collection is complete, this can give impact to the resident and subject to many other diseases.

Figure 7: People parked the motorcycle at the elevator lobby and cracked tile are not been replaced.

Figure 8: The water doesnt flow down to the drain because of uneven ground

Figure 9: Garbage dumping area

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Figure 10 & 11: Metal grill for drainage is not been replaced.

Figure 12: Stagnant water can cause mosquitos to breed

Ignorance of clearing the undergrowth and debris found in the drains to ensure water flows out cause stagnant water that it would be potential outbreak of mosquito-related diseases. Other damages that needed instant maintenance are the replacement of wrecked metal grill, damaged cables, leakage, unlit street lamp post at the parking area and walkways, frequent break down of the elevator system, rodents and vandalism elimination.

2.3 External Environment and Safety These public houses are in the developing city, thus there is always a constant noise disturbance, air pollutions and disruption to traffic from the construction site nearby. The current project near these two sites are the mixed development The Velocity by Sunway Group, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and other various highway constructions.

Although it is accessible to public transportation such as buses and light rail transit (LRT), however residents will still have to walk 30 minutes to the nearest train station and 20 minutes to the bus circulation route, plus the bus circulation route and travelling frequency in this area is not efficient.

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Therefore, for working class community they would prefer traveling on their own transport. As for the student and elderly they will have to walk a distance to travel to school and market which is not safe in the early morning without the illumination of street lights. It has been reported that these area have high robbery rate. Meanwhile for the internal traffic on these houses, because as previously mentioned that there is lack of availability of parking spaces, people are parking everywhere and this caused unsystematic flow of internal traffic. There is no footpath or pedestrians for the children or disabled to be completely safe traveling to the playground or garden, children will walk on vehicle driveway in order to go to the playground. Fire extinguisher are generally found in the lobby area only.

Does it really creates safe and caring living environment for all levels of society including the children, elderly, handicapped and disabled? It is also identified that there is lack of consideration for the elderly and disabled, more ramps for wheelchair access should built especially at the circulation area from parking area to elevator lobby and garden. The walkway at the elevator lobby usually have varies of levelling and steps which makes it difficult for disabled who travelled alone. Every elevator must meet the intent regulations for the accessibility of a wheelchair but here it does not provided a wider elevator opening for a better concern.

Figure 13: Varies levelling and steps

Figure 14: Opening of the elevator 9|Page

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2.4 Building Materials, Structure Defect and Workmanship Quality. Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) Housing Maintenance Division highlighted that complaints frequently reported are water pipe burst, water seepage through wall and ceiling, rain water entering the house through window, and manhole clogged.

Table 1: Shows the compilation of complaints received by DBKL Housing Maintenance Division for PPR Cochrane Perkasa 1 site.

Figure 15: Water splattering due to the copping at the bottom of the window

The most frequent complaints were rain water entered house through window. There are two main reasons to the problem. Firstly, the faulty detailing where a concrete copping is placed at the bottom of the window opening. When rain water hits the concrete copping at the bottom of the window, rain water then bounces into the interior space of the unit through gaps between the glass panes. Secondly, the quality of workmanship where gaps between wall openings and window frames is not water tight, water seepage occurred at gaps between window and wall. Water proofing problem especially at toilet and bath is very crucial. Good site supervision and workmanship is critically important to resolve the problem. Otherwise, it is very costly and troublesome if to carry out any remedial work after completion. (GOH, AI TEE, AHMAD, 2012)

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Figure 16: Common lockset, metal grilles and door provided by government.

Figure 17: Louvered windows glass falling out due to poor workmanship.

For security reason, a better quality door and lockset should be used for the unit main entrance door. Otherwise metal grilles sliding door should be installed in front of unit main entrance for security reason as well as to improve ventilation of the unit. The adjustable louvered windows are better for air movement compared with casement or top hung windows, however it has carried the risk of glass panes falling from the higher floor if the catches are not function properly. (GOH, AI TEE, AHMAD, 2012)

Figure 18 & 19: Algae grow and water seepage on the wall

Figure 20 & 21: Paint peeling off and ceiling leakage

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Other structure defects and poor workmanship quality is visible on the ceiling leakage, floor and ceiling not level, water seepage, plastering thickness, expose of plumbing pipes, tiling are not even, painting is peeling off and poor electrical work.

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3. CHAPTER 2: How Indoor Environment Affecting Resident Living Condition in Public Housing?
3.1 Internal Layout, Space Usage and Indoor Environment

Plan 1: Typical Unit Furniture Layout Plan

Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the National Housing Department set the minimum standards of public housing and provide each unit with living room and dining area attached, kitchen, toilet, bathroom, and three bedrooms. It is found that the layout of space is ineffective because firstly the toilet is too close to kitchen, although there is an extended wall as a segregation of spaces however the toilet window is facing at the kitchen, caused an unpleasant odor in the unit itself. Secondly, strangers who walking passed the corridor can have a direct visual access to the living area and dining

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area, unless the main entrance door are always closed at most of the residents. While the ineffective layout planning also affected the resident that cooking area should have been separated from the dry kitchen to prevent smoke to enter the entire house. Thirdly, the third bedroom as labelled in Plan 1 are neared to the corridor as the opening of the windows is facing to the corridor. These high trafficking corridor would give the feeling of insecure and unease even the resident is in their own bedroom, fearing that their privacy would be violated. Lastly, there is basically no places for laundry and residents will have to dry out their clothes at the corridor, ground floor near the convenient shops or near to their own windows, on the fencing near TNB substation and hanging them out from their bedroom windows.

Figure 22, 23, 24, 25, 26: Clothes are hung everywhere to dry.
Due to this, my observation continue to lead me into the finding of natural sun lighting that illuminate on the internal spaces of the buildings. Although the layout of the buildings are designed to hold a

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center opening courtyard all the way up to the top floor but most of the time during the day the internal spaces of the building are low in light illumination. Children would play at the center courtyard because it is not as sunny as playing at the garden.

Figure 27, 28, 29: Light illumination are low at the center courtyard and corridor.

While the children are playing at the ground floor, the noises are vivid even on the top floor due to the reflection of sound echo thus the application of noise insulation materials should be considered. It is found that due to all these inconvenient caused, resident are likely to be closed off from community.

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4. Recommendations and Suggestions.

Good internal and external planning of the public housing scheme, improved residential facilities, better consideration on design element and security as well as reliable building management team will further enhance the quality of living in PPR flats. Instead of pointing finger only to the building management team, let us not forget also the responsibility of residents. To integrate the power of engaging peoples for the same purpose and promising living environment, like how the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY) had considered to address the communitys health issues, provide a mix of rental and homeownership opportunities for people at a range of income levels to create a truly mixed-income community with a series of green rooftop vegetable garden, space for outdoor activity and an indoor fitness facility. (ULI Case Studies: Via Verde the Green Way, Urban Land Institute, 2014)

Figure 30, 31, 32: Via Verde originated in a design competition held by the city of New York and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. A series of green roofs is the organizing elements of the design. 16 | P a g e

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4.1 Survey Data Collection from Residents in Public Housing

Survey Data Collection in Public Housing

Location Amenities & Maintenance External Environment & Safety Building Materials, Structure Defect & Workmanship Quality Internal Layout, Space Usage & Indoor Environment 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Aspect of Improvement 8 23 18 21 30

Chart 1: This chart shows that higher percentage of respondents that concerned on amenities & maintenance in their PPR flats.

Survey Data Collection in Public Housing

Playground & Garden Garbage Dumping Area Car Parking Area Drainage 8 7 6 Motorcycle Bay Wet Floors & Leakage

9
8 7 6 5 4 3

5
4

2
1 0 Amenities & Maintenance

Chart 2: This chart shows that in the 30% of Amenities & Maintenance, higher percentage of respondents are concerned about garbage dumping area and its health impacts. 17 | P a g e

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5. Conclusion.
From the survey done with residents we can be surely to see that people are more concern with the health-related problems and various impacts that has been mentioned earlier. Meanwhile, today many developers and public officials are interested in health-related aspects of development such as urban farming and walkability. Building management team should consider development on the opportunities for more active living, yet are accessible to the disabled and safe, through a combination of encouragement of exercise and improved air quality, low or zero VOC materials, natural ventilation that improves indoor air quality. Through prioritizing community-engaged activities, integration of different types of community, we are pushing away segregation of social hierarchy and architecture inequality, we cultivate understanding between community, a true architecture do not merely provide spaces to the people but bringing people together for a purpose, to engage people for reflection, meditation and experience the connection between of architecture, life and inspiration.

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REFERENCE LIST
Website: Income Disparity in Malaysia: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 2013 [viewed 10 February 2014]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_disparity_in_Malaysia

Suhakams Observations, Recommendations and Conclusions: Human Right Commission of Malaysia, 2003 [viewed 12 February 2014]. Available from: http://www.suhakam.org.my/docs/ documents.resource/housing_Part 1_observation.pdf

Accessibility to Basic Needs: A report of Suhakams Seminar on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Human Right Commission of Malaysia, 2003 [viewed 12 February 2014]. Available from: http://www.suhakam.org.my

Big Road Blues: Tufts Now, 2012 [viewed 15 February 2014]. Available from: http://now.tufts.edu/ articles/big-road-blues-pollution-highways

ULI Case Studies: Via Verde the Green Way: Urban Land Institute, 2014 [viewed 20 February 2014]. Available from: http://uli.org/case-study/uli-case-studies-via-verde/

Via Verde The Green Way: Viaverdenyc, 2013 [viewed 20 February 2014]. Available from: http://viaverdenyc.com/

Theses: GOH,AI TEE and AHMAD YAHAYA. Public Low Cost Housing in Malaysia: Case Studies on PPR

Low-Cost Flats in Kuala Lumpur. 2012 [viewed 12 February 2014]. Available from: http://ejournal.um.edu.my/public/article-view.php?id=2654

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Printed Material - Books: GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA. Total Planning and Development Guidelines. Department of Town and Country Planning, Peninsular Malaysia, Ministry of Housing and Local Government, 2001. GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA. Ninth Malaysia Plan 2006-2010. The Government Press, Kuala Lumpur, 2005. GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA. Eighth Malaysia Plan 20012005. The Government Press, Kuala Lumpur, 2000. ADB. MUTALIB B. JELANI. Urban Planning, Housing and Sustaninable Development in Malaysia. First APNHR Conference on Housing and Urban Development, Kuala Lumpur, 2003.

NATIONAL HOUSING DEPARTMENT. JPN Standard Plan 2000. 2006

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ILLUSTRATION LIST
Figure: Figure 30 - Via Verde The Green Way: Viaverdenyc, 2013 [viewed 20 February 2014]. Available from:http://viaverdenyc.com/

Figure 31 - Via Verde The Green Way: Viaverdenyc, 2013 [viewed 20 February 2014]. Available from:http://viaverdenyc.com/

Figure 32 - Via Verde The Green Way: Viaverdenyc, 2013 [viewed 20 February 2014]. Available from:http://viaverdenyc.com/

Plan: Plan 1 NATIONAL HOUSING DEPARTMENT, 2006 . JPN Standard Plan 2000

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APPENDIX A
This appendix is about the survey done in PPR Laksamana and PPR Cochrane and here is the example of survey forms.

Public Housing Survey Questions

Resident Information Age:

Gender:

Student Research Survey

Race:

Issues of Improvement
What would your priority be?

Location Amenities & Maintenance External Environment & Safety Building Materials, Structure Defects & Workmanship Quality Internal Layout, Space Usage & Indoor Environment

Location
Which is your main concern? Check one box to indicate the priority level.

Sound insulation Air quality

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Amenities & Maintenance

Which area do you need better improvement? Check one box to indicate the priority level.

Playground & Garden Car Parking Area Motorcycle Bay Garbage Dumping Area Drainage Wet Floors & Leakage

External Environment & Safety

Which aspect do you need better improvement? Check one box to indicate the priority level.

Easy access external traffic Systematic internal traffic Street lights Footpath & ramps for disabled Fire protection system & equipment

Building Materials, Structure Defect & Workmanship Quality

Which defects do you need better improvement? Check one box to indicate the priority level.

Water piping Window design Manhole Lockset & metal grille Water seepage on wall Painting peeling off Tiling uneven Ceiling leakage

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Internal Layout, Space Usage & Indoor Environment

Which area do you need better improvement? Check one box to indicate the priority level.

Ineffective unit layout design Privacy indoor environment Place for laundry Lighting illumination Noise insulation

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