VEHICLE OWNERSHIP AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN URBAN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, NORTHERN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Abstract

It is widely believed that owning a vehicle affects one's quality of life. In the United States, owning a car contributes positively to quality of life while in countries such as New Zealand, this impact is not always apparent. Private cars, particularly, has become a leading mode of transport due to its inherent advantages such as privacy, comfort and unrestricted freedom. Other than income, road infrastructure, urban land use pattern and government policies are all influential factors in determining vehicle ownership and usage. It is widely believed that vehicle ownership increases accessibility to better jobs, urban facilities, and social meeting places. This study examines the relationship between owning a private vehicle and social and economic satisfaction, as well as accessibility to public facilities. A total of 1,563 households were surveyed in six urban areas of northern Malaysia. The sample was stratified according to low-, middle-, and high-income neighborhoods. Cross tabulation analysis was done on levels of vehicle ownership and other variables to determine the level of satisfaction in economic and social quality of life. Approximately 99% of those surveyed owned at least a motorcycle while roughly a third owned both a car and a motorcycle. Majority expressed indifference to public transport and considered owning a vehicle a necessity for daily activities. A direct relationship was observed between the number of owned vehicles and the level of job and income satisfaction. Similarly, social interactions with neighbors, participation in community activities, satisfaction in ethnic relations, and attendance in religious services indicated a positive relationship with car ownership. These social satisfaction and economic fulfillment, as well as access to public amenities, are positively enhanced by vehicle ownership.