Rethinking good quality of life for high-density urban housing 64 community

• Main Authors: Azmin, Aida Kesuma, Sanusi, Aliyah Nur Zafirah, An, Mohd Zulhemli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: KPKT Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia 2021
• Subjects: NA Architecture; NA2542.36 Sustainable architecture; NA2599 Architectural criticism; NA2695 Architectural drawing and design; NA4170 Public buildings
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/93321/7/93321_Habitat%20Magazine%202020.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/93321/; https://www.kpkt.gov.my/index.php/pages/view/665?mid=587
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

The quality of life in a dwelling is the result of the design of both the internal and the external spaces, to create a conducive living environment for the residents, and how wellthe residential units fit into the existing neighbourhood. The topic focuses on the quality of life of the high-density urban housing community because they are the most affected by the impact of poor quality, irresponsive housing design scheme. Most people spend more than 70% of their indoor time at home (Akadiri et al., 2012). As such the design of the high-density residential must satisfy the requirements for comfort, health and safety aspects related to the lifestyle of the residents (Trimingham, 2016). The article emphasises on the most neglected one, which the value-driven aspects, such as social-culturalreligious needs that are essential for the ultimate fulfilment of the quality of life. Designing a residence or a house is an act of problem solving based on the client’s requirements, within the parameters set by the regulatory bodies and also the parameters of the technical requirements. When an architect is designing a residential building for a personal client, the requirements of the client are usually very specific, such as the spaces within the building, the area of each space, the type of building materials. All aspects are communicated directly between the client and the architect. However, in reality, the client is usually a developer and not the actual residence for the individual units. The developer provides the architect with the requirements of the project. In summary, people have no control over their dwelling environment, and are imposed to live in the mass-housing development, without first being consulted. As an immediate solution for the high housing supply demands, it is perhaps valid, but, a home designed without consultation with the end-users always neglect to consider the essential aspect of meaning and aesthetics values, i.e., the accommodation for cultural, religious, or traditional activities in the living environment. The repercussion has raised the issues of quality of life for the urban community living in high-density residential areas in Kuala Lumpur.