Low-cost Housing Areas Research Articles

Motivators and barriers of ulam consumption among residents from low-cost housing areas in Kuala Lumpur

PurposeUlam is a traditional salad that contains high levels of antioxidants and is commonly consumed in raw form. However, the average ulam consumption among the low-income Malaysian population was only ½ serving daily. Thus, this study aimed to explore the motivators and barriers to ulam consumption among residents of low-cost housing areas (household income RM4849 or $1015.50) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachSix focus group discussions were conducted with 27 Malay residents aged 18–59 years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The researchers asked the participants a series of semi-structured questions. All the interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Two researchers coded the transcripts independently, and several themes were identified. The data were analysed using Nvivo version 12 software.FindingsThree main factors for ulam consumption were identified in this study: personal, environmental and behavioural. The motivators and barriers were identified based on nine main themes and 16 sub-themes.Practical implicationsThe results of this study identified potential areas for an effective intervention to increase ulam intake among residents in low-cost housing areas.Originality/valueThis work has the potential to identify the factors that have an impact on consumers' ulam preferences to help fulfil daily vegetable recommendations.

Comparing perceptions of barriers to tree planting in domestic and public spaces of low-income neighbourhoods in small to medium-sized South African towns

Neighbourhood greenness is one of the indicators for residential satisfaction in urban areas. However, residents in low-income urban communities often express dissatisfaction with their neighbourhoods because of limited urban green infrastructure (UGI) and trees in comparison to relatively affluent neighbourhoods. Low-income neighbourhoods in South Africa, known as low-cost housing areas (LCHAs) face a myriad of systemic and institutional dynamics that may exacerbate the limitations to successful greening. In this context, this study investigated household perceptions on barriers to new and continued urban tree planting in domestic and public spaces such as parks and streets in low-income neighbourhoods in eight South African towns. Questionnaires were administered to 800 households across 16 old (n = 400) and newer (n = 400) LCHAs. Inadequate space (58 %), insufficient funds (37 %), lack of equipment (35 %), tree damage (34 %), limited knowledge (25 %), and municipal restrictions (12 %) were the most frequently mentioned limitations to tree planting in domestic spaces. By contrast, residents identified municipal incompetence (55 %), inadequate space (40 %); insufficient funds (28 %), tree damage (27 %), risk of crime (21 %), and politics (20 %) as some of the factors hindering institutions from planting trees in public parks and along streets. Understanding these barriers is an important step towards the design of sustainable urban greening initiatives for low-income communities in Global South contexts.

Relationship between physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders among low income housewives in Kuala Lumpur: A cross sectional study.

Housewives play a crucial role in their families’ and communities’ quality of life. However, musculoskeletal disorders are common among housewives due to housework and lack of physical activity. These musculoskeletal problems have been associated to leisure physical activity. As a result, the goal of this study was to determine the incidence of musculoskeletal problems and their association to physical activity among low-income women in Kuala Lumpur. A cross-sectional research was done among 82 housewives in Kuala Lumpur’s low-income housing area. Housewives were asked to fill out a sociodemographic questionnaire, a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and body mass index were measured by researcher. The total prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was found to be 89.0%, with the lowest frequency in the lower back (35%), followed by the knee (31%), ankle or foot (31%), and elbow (1% %). The subjects spent an average of 117.6 + 474.8 minutes per week on MVPA and 524 + 810.3 MET minutes per week on physical activity. A total of 88% of the participants had a low level of physical activity, 8.5 percent had a moderate level of activity, and 3.7% had a high level of activity. In a Chi-square test, there was no significant association between musculoskeletal problems and physical activity. The primary sociodemographic factors impacting musculoskeletal diseases were body mass index and household income, while the primary variables influencing physical activity were household income and education level, according to a logistic regression test. In a Poisson regression test, only body mass index had a significant relationship with number of musculoskeletal disorders. In conclusion, housewives are likely to suffer from musculoskeletal problems, with a high incidence in the lower back, knees, ankles, and feet, and the majority of them engage in little physical activity. Furthermore, the high percentage of musculoskeletal problems in this study varies with the findings of other research based on the type of housework done by housewives in low-cost housing areas. Future research should look at identifying the sorts of household tasks and positions employed, as well as the amount of hours spent on housework each week.

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR AND LIGHTING QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN HIGH-RISE LOW-COST HOUSING IN PENANG

Georgetown, the capital of Penang Island, records the second highest density in Malaysia. On the other hand, those with lower economic status mostly live in low-cost, high-density vertical housing with indoor and outdoor environmental quality. Such housing conditions have severe implications on the residents’ comfort. Hence, this study adopted the mixed-method approach to assess indoor and outdoor air and lighting quality in high-rise low-cost housing. The qualitative approach was deployed to observe three low-cost high-rise housing in Penang while the second approach was quantitative data collected using a survey questionnaire distributed to households in the case study area. This study aims to identify the current environment indoor and outdoor lighting quality in low-cost high-rise housing. The three low-cost housing areas investigated in this study, namely, Taman Ampang Jaya (TAJ) (Seberang Jaya Utara (SPU) district), Halaman Kenanga (HK) (Daerah Timur Laut (DLT) district), and Idaman Seroja (IS) (Daerah Barat Daya (DBD) district), had more than 200 units. Resultantly, the three-housing had an average air and lighting quality, whereas the corridor indicated poor lighting, as well as foul and unhealthy air. Indoor and outdoor air quality and lighting in high-rise housing are related to the environment surrounding the site.

Factors influencing water conservation behaviour amongst low-income communities in South Africa

While economic incentives, technical developments, and government policies and regulations can all contribute to reduce residential water use, householders, on the other hand, can also help lessen overall water demands by using less water. In this study, we look at how to modify people's behaviour to conserve water at home. Using the theory of reasoned action which suggest human behaviour is a construct of subjective norms, and attitude, this study aimed to identify the factors that influences water conservation behaviour in low-income households in South Africa South Africa. The study focused on the Waterloo Township, which is located north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This study followed a positive paradigm and employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design and a quantitative survey design with a sample of (n=305). Both descriptive and inferential analysis was used to analyze and present the data. Path analysis using regression coefficient was performed to establish the factors that predict water conservation behaviour. The results suggest that although the knowledge of water conservation was high among the respondents, there was however a negative gap difference (-20.3) between their knowledge (94.4%) and actual behaviour (74.1%) towards water saving techniques. The regression analysis conducted revealed that subject norms were the strongest predictor towards water conservation intentions in the Waterloo LCH. This conclusively suggest that the conceptualisation of water conservation behaviour as a function of attitude and subjective norm may be appropriate in the context of the low-cost housing areas within South Africa.

Trees stocks in domestic gardens and willingness to participate in tree planting initiatives in low-cost housing areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Increasing human populations and rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa have prompted the development and maintenance of urban green infrastructure, including urban trees for sustainability, human wellbeing, liveability and climate resilience. However, there are still insufficient amounts and large inequities in the distribution of trees between and within towns and cities of the Global North and South. In South Africa, urban green space planning and planting are encoded in several policies at national level. However, these policies are rarely translated into specific guides, standards or actions, and consequently disparities in urban trees and green space distribution persist. This study assessed the prevalence of urban trees in domestic gardens in low-cost housing areas (LCHAs) of eight small to medium-sized towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa and examined residents’ perceptions in this regard. This was done via surveys with 800 households in old and recently developed LCHAs. The results revealed that most households (52 %) had at least one tree in their yard, with more households in the older neighbourhoods (60 %) reporting having trees than in the newer ones (44 %). Most of the trees (66 %) had been deliberately planted as opposed to natural regeneration. Experience of formal urban tree planting programs was low, but 75 % of residents expressed willingness to participate in the future, preferably in tree planting and maintenance. Urban green spaces and trees cannot be an afterthought in the development of sustainable human settlements, and municipal plans should reflect tangible commitments in this regard. Meeting goals for greener LCHAs requires the involvement of local residents, and for municipal authorities to be receptive to the wishes of residents and willingness to green their residential areas.

Youth Outdoor Feature Requirements in Urban Public Low-cost Housing

Youth is part of the community consent contributors. They are the energetic potency in fulfilling the social program and physical planning development. They are described as an active group in the community. The previous studies showed that youth shapes the pattern of lifestyle in neighbourhood units and even the nation itself. This paper will focus on the low-cost housing areas in which is high density and with scarce spaces as the existing facilities did not appear to attract youth's intention and even for their uses. As a result, reviewing the youth service requirements can enhance youth's quality of life.

Reviewing Youth Facility Requirements for Low-cost Housing in Malaysia

Youth is part of community empowerment participants. They are the driving force in implementing social program and physical planning development. They are described as an active group in the population pyramid. The previous studies showed that youth shapes the pattern of lifestyle in neighbourhood units and even the nation itself. This paper will focus on the low-cost housing areas in which is high density and with scarce spaces as the existing facilities did not appear to attract youth's intention and even for their uses. As a result, reviewing the youth facility requirements can enhance youth's quality of life.

Nutritional and Physical Activity Status among Adults Living in Low-Cost Housing Area in Selangor

This study aimed to assess the nutritional and physical activity status among adults living in low-cost housing area. This cross-sectional study involved 115 adults aged from 18 to 59 years old (46 male and 69 female). Anthropometric and body composition measurements of height, weight, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference were taken. Biochemical measurements included blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Dietary intake was evaluated by interviewing subjects using Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ). Physical activity status was determined by interviewing subjects using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Most of the subjects were found to be mainly on low socioeconomic status and working as blue collar workers. The mean body mass index (BMI) for men and women were 27.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2 and 28.5 ± 5.3 kg/m2, respectively. The waist-hip ratio of men and women were 0.92 ± 0.07 and 0.86 ± 0.06, respectively. Mean blood pressure observed was 128.8 ± 18.8 mmHg (systolic) and 78.2 ± 12.1 mmHg (diastolic). Mean blood glucose was reported to be 6.6 ± 3.2 mmol/L while the mean blood cholesterol was 5.2 ± 1.0 mmol/L. Overall energy intake was 2705 ± 603 kcal with the contribution of 53.4% carbohydrate, 13.5% protein and 32.5% fat to overall energy intake. The nutrients that did not achieve Malaysia’s Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) were calcium (73.1%), thiamine (70.5%), folate (25.0%) and vitamin A (19.6%). The mean physical activity of subjects was 6739.8 ± 8135.6 MET-min/week (high physical activity). In conclusion, the adults living in low-cost housing have unsatisfactory nutritional status yet they have good physical activity level which might be contributed by their occupation. DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2016-1402-10

Everyday hazards and vulnerabilities amongst backyard dwellers: A case study of Vredendal North, Matzikama Municipality, South Africa.

The populations of many small towns in South Africa continue to expand unmatched by parallel economic growth, entrenching high levels of poverty. The town of Vredendal, located close to the national route between Namibia and Cape Town in South Africa, is a West Coast development node and an emergent industrial and processing area that continues to attract an influx of people seeking economic opportunities. This is challenging the capacity of the local municipality, which has a waiting list for state-provided low-cost housing units, whilst the provision of adequate infrastructure to meet growing local need is also a developmental concern. In the suburb of Vredendal North this has resulted in the proliferation of unplanned informal dwellings in the backyards of formalised low-cost housing areas. Largely overlooked by urban researchers, little is known or understood about small town backyard populations. This prompted a brief study of Vredendal North backyard dwellers commissioned by the local municipality to identify their everyday hazards and livelihood vulnerabilities to inform future development planning. A community workshop identified critical development needs and suggested that backyard dwellers in small towns experience similar living conditions and hazards to those in the cities, although underlain by some unique differences.

Travel to Work Patterns of Low-income People in Urban Area

Intensifying numbers of travel demand draws problem to sustainable transport system because of poor facilities, services, frequency and punctuality due to lack of decent planning and design. Increasing numbers of the vehicle ownership has developed the road networks insufficient that leads to congestions. The issues of travel characteristics chosen by the people to their employment area that will show the travel pattern is the core point in this research. The research methodology consist of the interview sessions to the authorise personals and from the distribution of questionnaire survey forms to the resident of low-cost housing areas in Melaka Tengah District in Malaysia. Then data collected were processed using Social Package Statistical Software (SPSS) to show analytical result. This process will displayed the respondent’s travel characteristics and determine their preference in transportation mode to the employment area. Analytical result showed that the impacts from more than half of the respondents choose to travel by car as transportation mode to working area will come to consequences of traffic condition which lead to congested road. These findings will further help bringing in improvement to existing routes and public transportation systems so it will be optimally utilised for a better daily commute.

Relationship between physical performance and cognitive performance measures among community-dwelling older adults.

PurposeCognitive impairment is correlated with physical function. However, the results in the literature are inconsistent with cognitive and physical performance measures. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the association between cognitive performance and physical function among older adults.MethodsA total of 164 older adults aged ≥60 years and residing in low-cost housing areas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia participated in this study. Cognitive performance was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination, clock drawing test, Rey auditory verbal learning test, digit symbol test, digit span test, matrix reasoning test, and block design test. Physical performance measures were assessed using the ten step test for agility, short physical performance battery test for an overall physical function, static balance test using a Pro.Balance board, and dynamic balance using the functional reach test.ResultsThere was a negative and significant correlation between agility and the digit symbol test (r=−0.355), clock drawing test (r=−0.441), matrix reasoning test (r=−0.315), and block design test (r=−0.045). A significant positive correlation was found between dynamic balance, digit symbol test (r=0.301), and matrix reasoning test (r=0.251). The agility test appeared as a significant (R2=0.183, R2=0.407, R2=0.299, P<0.05) predictor of some cognitive performance measures, including the digit span test, clock drawing test, and Mini Mental State Examination.ConclusionThese results suggest that a decline in most cognitive performance measures can be predicted by poor execution of a more demanding physical performance measure such as the ten step test for agility. It is imperative to use a more complex and cognitively demanding physical performance measure to identify the presence of an overall cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults. It may also be beneficial to promote more complex and cognitively challenging exercises and activities among older adults for optimal physical and cognitive function.

Emerging contaminants in urban groundwater sources in Africa

The occurrence of emerging organic contaminants within the aquatic environment in Africa is currently unknown. This study provides early insights by characterising a broad range of emerging organic contaminants (n > 1000) in groundwater sources in Kabwe, Zambia. Groundwater samples were obtained during both the dry and wet seasons from a selection of deep boreholes and shallow wells completed within the bedrock and overlying superficial aquifers, respectively. Groundwater sources were distributed across the city to encompass peri-urban, lower cost housing, higher cost housing, and industrial land uses. The insect repellent DEET was ubiquitous within groundwater at concentrations up to 1.8 μg/L. Other compounds (n = 26) were detected in less than 15% of the sources and included the bactericide triclosan (up to 0.03 μg/L), chlorination by-products – trihalomethanes (up to 50 μg/L), and the surfactant 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (up to 0.6 μg/L). Emerging contaminants were most prevalent in shallow wells sited in low cost housing areas. This is attributed to localised vulnerability associated with inadequate well protection, sanitation, and household waste disposal. The five-fold increase in median DEET concentration following the onset of the seasonal rains highlights that more mobile compounds can rapidly migrate from the surface to the aquifer suggesting the aquifer is more vulnerable than previously considered. Furthermore it suggests DEET is potentially useful as a wastewater tracer in Africa. There was a general absence of personal care products, life-style compounds, and pharmaceuticals which are commonly detected in the aquatic environment in the developed world. This perhaps reflects some degree of attenuation within the subsurface, but could also be a result of the current limited use of products containing emerging contaminants by locals due to unaffordability and unavailability. As development and population increases in Africa, it is likely a wider-range of emerging contaminants will be released into the environment.

Reducing employee travelling time through smart commuting

Extremely congested roads will definitely delay the arrival time of each trip.This certainly impacted the journey of employees. Tardiness at the workplace has become a perturbing issue for companies where traffic jams are the most common worker excuses. A depressing consequence on daily life and productivity of the employee occurs. The issues of commuting distance between workplace and resident area become the core point of this research. This research will emphasize the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technique to explore the distance parameter to the employment area and will focus on the accessibility pattern of low-cost housing. The research methodology consists of interview sessions and a questionnaire to residents of low-cost housing areas in Melaka Tengah District in Malaysia. The combination of these processes will show the criteria from the selected parameter for each respondent from their resident area to the employment area. This will further help in the recommendation of several options for a better commute or improvement to the existing routes and public transportations system. Thus enhancing quality of life for employees and helping to reduce stress, decrease lateness, absenteeism and improving productivity in workplace.

Collection of urban tree products by households in poorer residential areas of three South African towns

The high rates of urban in-migration and poverty common in many developing country towns potentially increases the reliance of urban populations on the direct benefits provided by trees. Yet understanding of the extent of such use and the sources of these tree products is limited. Here we report on the extent of use of urban tree products by 450 households in the poorer areas of three towns along a rainfall gradient based on household questionnaires. We considered the proportion of households making use of each of several tree products and the collection or purchasing frequency which we disaggregated by source of the product, including trees in homesteads, urban spaces, edges of towns and via purchase from traders. Most households (91%) used firewood, which was most frequently collected from the urban fringe or purchased, although one-third at times also collected firewood from trees on their home plot. All households used fruits, most commonly sourced through purchase (98%), but nearly half of whom also supplemented by harvesting fruits from their home plot. Other products used included wood for building, fencing and utensils, herbal medicines, planting material and mulch. Collection of products from urban homestead trees was highest amongst households in the informal settlements and least in the more established townships. Residents of new low-cost housing areas made extensive use of urban tree products harvested in urban spaces because they had fewer homestead trees than residents of informal areas or townships. Overall, urban residents made use of a wide array of tangible products from trees which they sourced from a variety of places, including their homestead plot. This urges that planning agencies ensure that homestead plot sizes or other urban spaces that provide tree products are large enough to support the direct needs of poorer urban residents.

Persekitaran Ruang Rumah: Hubungannya dengan Salah Laku Remaja

This study is an attempt to identify the relationship between housing space environment and adolescence misconduct, such as crime and aggression in a low cost housing area. The objective of the study is to identify the satisfaction towards physical and environment of low cost housing and its relationship with adolescence misconduct. A total of 333 sub-sample of parent’s and 333 sub-sample of adolescence had been randomly as study samples Result showed that there was no significant relationship between the physical and environment housing space with the adolescence misconduct (p&gt;0.01). There was also no significant difference of the physical and environment housing space based on the parent’s ethnicity (p&gt;0.01). Therefore, the physical and environment housing space had no significant impact on the adolescence misconduct.

Suitability of Planning Guidelines for Children Playing Spaces

The paper will discuss an on-going research on Shah Alam City Council's planning guidelines for the provision of playgrounds and playing fields. This paper sets the question of the suitability and the adequacy of this planning guideline used for the playing spaces in a low cost housing area. The areas of study focus on the types of playing behaviour, the location of playing patterns and the problems arising from the playing activities in this setting. Perhaps the findings will help in improving the guidelines for this important amenity which has not been given due recognition.

A Comparative Study of Walking Behaviour to Community Facilities in Low-Cost and Medium Cost Housing

Provision of community facilities influences the walking behaviour in neighbourhood area. This paper is based on a comparative study of walking behaviour of residents in neighbourhood area to community facilities. The findings show that low cost housing area is within walking distance as compared to the medium cost housing area in reaching the community facilities as there is certain factor that affects the walking behaviour such as distance, catchment area radius, location, accessibility, density and land use pattern. The recommendations for this study are to create flexible catchment area radius, locating community facilities that can maximise walking and creating accessibility standard in neighbourhood area.

Home Making in Low-Cost Housing Area

Studies assessing the conditions of low cost housings have mostly focused on satisfaction levels and subjective perception of quality particularly with regard to the dwelling units or the larger neighbourhood characteristics. However, residents usually react upon their immediate environment to achieve satisfaction and make the surrounding area as their home. This paper relates appropriation, attachment and identity as home making mechanisms through which residents strive to achieve those satisfactions. Literatures are reviewed to identify the specific behavioural components of home making. A range of informative cues is found in forms of human activities and physical traces observable in low-cost housing.

The distribution, abundance and composition of street trees in selected towns of the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Street trees are an important component of the urban forest as they provide critical ecosystem services which contribute to human health and environmental quality. However, little is known about the distribution, diversity and density of street trees, particularly in the developing world where urbanisation is most rapid. Thus, the aim of this paper was to assess the distribution, composition and abundance of street trees across three towns along an environmental gradient in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and identify the key challenges faced by local officials concerned with the provision of street trees. In each town, streets were randomly sampled in the commercial, affluent residential, township settlement and low cost housing areas under the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP). Attributes recorded per tree were species, circumference, height and health, while semi-structured interviews were conducted with the municipal officials involved in the establishment and maintenance of street trees. A total of 1,485 trees were encountered, comprising 61 species. The majority (56%) of trees were alien species. Noticeable differences in tree density and species richness were evident across suburbs, being highest in the more affluent suburbs and poorly represented in the low income township and RDP areas. There was a decreasing mean tree height and health score along the environmental gradient from the coastal town to the inland town. Although awareness of the benefits of street trees was high, as was the need to reduce the proportion of alien species, the primary constraint to establishment and maintenance of street trees in the three towns was limited budget and human resources.