URBANISATION AND ETHNIC PATTERNS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, 1911-1991

Abstract

This study traces the trends of urbanisation and ethnic patterns of urbanisation between 1911 and 1991. The concentration of urban development along the west coast and the domination of the urban centres by the Chinese and Indians before 1957, and increasing urbanisation along the east coast, together with the growing dominance of the Malays in urban centres after 1957 have been discussed in the context of Peninsular Malaysia's historical development from a British colony to an independent nation. In addition, the future trends of urbanisation and ethnic urbanisation have been explored in the light of Peninsular Malaysia's national development direction. Even though equitable regional and ethnic development are less viable economically, these are important social and political objectives to be achieved.