Characteristics, Trends and Spatial Distribution of Urban Migration in Malaysia: A Case Study of the Klang Valley Region

Abstract

This paper attempts to discuss the characteristics and spatial distribution of urban migrants in the Klang Valley region, Malaysia. The paper will first provide an overall picture about the urban migration scenarios and its influence on urban development. Then, it is followed by a discussion on the findings from a survey of migration behavioural in the Klang Valley region. The paper has found that most of the migrants in the areas of the Klang Valley came from outside the Klang Valley. They are dominated by a group of the 35-44 in age. Most of them are educated with a good job, have higher income and possess their own house. So, this age group influenced the characteristics of demographic and socioeconomic of the population in the Klang Valley. At the early stage of arrival, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (FTKL) became the concentration of urban migrants in the region, before they slowly phased out to the neighbouring areas such as the MPKj (the Kajang Municipal Council), MBSA (the Shah Alam City Council) and MPSJ (the Subang JayaMunicipal Council). This paper also illustrates the spatial distribution of urban migration in the Klang Valley based on the seven factors of migration decision-selectivity or destination choices. This paper ends with a discussion on how the urban planners should respond to the migration needs and issues for the betterment of urban development in the future.