Public housing as a healthy place: A study of space appropriation in public housing in Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

This thesis attempts to assess the quality of living spaces in public housing through the perspective of `healthy place?, a concept linking elements in the conventional health and housing relationships with the phenomenological notions of `place?. In analysing the place?s effects on health, the human hierarchy of needs model is used as a guiding framework. It is proposed that public housing should not only be assessed by whether it meets the basic physiological needs of shelter and security, but how it can be a nurturing and enabling environment to satisfy the highest orders of human needs. Shaping healthy places in public housing largely depends on appropriation of space by the residents, through their effort in making personal adjustments, modifications and personalization to their new living spaces. By understanding these processes and identifying the means, modes and forms of changes made to the living spaces, it could help in identifying crucial design and planning elements that contribute towards the making of healthy places in public housing.

This study employs a mixed method approach combining data from in-depth interviews, observations and sampling surveys. It was found that factors contributing to health in public housing are prominent in the sense of ownerships, social connection and coping strategy with privacy, apart from the effects of the physical-environmental qualities. Socio-cultural background and past living experiences have profound influences on the perceptions and experiences of healthy places, and on the modes and forms of appropriation. Cultural factors transpired through ethnicity and religion has greater influence on the perceptions related to the higher level of human needs such as social affiliation and emotional needs compared to the lower physical-biological needs.

Through the synthesis of the empirical findings, key planning and building elements were highlighted for further improvement. This thesis calls for a re-examination of the current planning and design policies in high-rise high density public housing, with special reference to the Public Low-Medium Cost (LMC) housing in Penang, Malaysia. Aspects of site selection, building footprint, building spacing and layout, issues concerning thresholds, definitions of `open space? are some of the glaring issues that emerged from this study. Finally, the analysis of elements in planning and design culminates in a set of key principles of health, outlining the most crucial factors in creating a healthy living environment in the context of the LMC housing in Malaysia.