This document discusses the design of low-cost housing in Malaysia. It begins by providing background on the importance of housing design for low-income groups and the role of both public and private sectors in providing low-cost housing. It then examines the guidelines and standards for low-cost housing design set by the Malaysian government, which vary by state. Specific low-cost housing programs in Malaysia, such as the Low-Cost Housing Programme and People's Housing Program, are also outlined. These programs aim to provide affordable housing that meets minimum size and quality standards to low-income earners.

1. The Asia Pacific Network for Housing Research (APNHR) April 2015 1
Houses design of Low cost Housing in Malaysia
Wan Nur Rukiah Mohd Arshard¹ Ku Azhar Ku Hassan²
Abstract
Lifestyle changes in society nowadays depend on their daily schedule. Today’s society view safety and comfort as crucial in
their lives. This study discusses the ideal design of public and low-cost housing while taking into account the aspects of viable
size and cost and limited land space. Low-cost houses are designed in accordance to the specific guidelines set by the local
city council and the National Housing Department. The boom of the housing and planning evolution in 1970s gave renewed
focus to the low-income class and brought about the relocation of squatters through public housing. This was further
advocated in the 1990s, through the government’s efforts in increasing low-cost housing areas, this effort is ongoing to this
day. The design and organization of the in-house space had also improved through time and the incorporation of
environmental and local conditions and needs. Standard house space design is vital in the carrying out of daily activities,
especially for those of the low-income group. These two states were chosen as both the states have been subject to rapid
public housing and low-cost housing development respectively. This paper discusses the basic approach in terms of rules,
regulation and guidelines in the design of low-cost houses that is being built. An ideal spatial allocation and the suitable space
usage in terms of current needs is focused on. A spatial and size allocation for the low-income group, which will be viable and
efficient for the next 20years, must be established. Establishing an effective and efficient spatial allocation both inside and
outside of a house which is acceptable to the local community’s varied culture, norms and economic activities is crucial as it
will determine the future demand for low-cost housing and its reception by the low-income group.
Keywords: Low Cost Housing, House Design, Space standards, Low-income group.
I. Introduction
In Malaysia, the provisioning of low-cost housing and
meeting the housing needs of the country does not only
involve the public sector, as the private sector also plays an
important role in the efforts of doing so. The government’s
inability to provide adequate low-cost housing for the
people has pushed the private sector into taking over this
role. The government provides more sites for housing
development to the private sector and in return claims a
number of housing units to serve the aforementioned
purpose (Zakiyah, Sh. Sofiah & Afifah 2004).
The design of a house is quite crucial as it facilitates
comfort and security for those living in it, functioning to
protect them from the weather and environmental
conditions while taking into account the local cultural
aspect. Most house designs are adapted from designs
abroad. However, this discussion will focus on the design
of low-cost housing in Malaysia in terms of related policies,
guidelines and government standards which are subject to
the authority of the specific state and its local structural
plans. The low cost houses featured by the two fastest
growing and developing cities socially and economically,
Kuala Lumpur and Penang, are reviewed in this discussion.
The design of low-cost houses are subject to the
guidelines and standards set by the ministry of housing and
the local government (refer to the 1998 guidelines and the
national housing amendment of 2002 under the
Construction Industry Development Board). Each state has
its respective house pricing and household size guidelines
depending on the area, whether urban or rural. The design
of houses are controlled and monitored by the local
councils according to the set characteristics of quality and
living comfort.
II. Low-cost Housing Policies in Malaysia
Housing policies drafted so far have been done based
on issues and problems that had cropped up from time to
time. In other words, policies are designed to ensure that
¹ PhD. Candidate School of Housing, Building and Planning,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang,Malaysia
² Associate Professor, School of Housing, Building and Planning,
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang,Malaysia
Contact Author: Wan Nur Rukiah, Student, School of
Housing, Building and Planning,Universiti Sains Malaysia,
Penang,Malaysia.
Tel: +604-6533888 Ext. 2184 Fax: +604-6576271
e-mail: nur77.arshard@gmail.com

2. 2 APNHR April 2015
the long term 20 to 30 year development plan does not veer
too far off from the core values and goals of the New
Economic Policy, which was drafted and approved by the
government to develop a disciplined, loyalty, and
self-reliant society. Many Acts, regulations and guidelines
related to housing development, both directly or indirectly
had been established with the aim of ensuring adequate
supply of homes on the market as indicated by KPKT.
1. Central Government Policies
Low cost housing policies that brought about the active
role of private developers actually began through the
Fourth Malaysian Plan, in line with the era of privatization
in Malaysia (the Malaysian Government, 1981). Ghani and
Lee (1997a) had outlined the characteristics of the low-cost
housing policy, as set by the central government:
a. Thirty (30) percent Low-Cost Component
This policy required private developers who planned to
build a certain number of housing units to provide low-cost
houses, which had to amount to at least 30 percent of the
housing units. This minimum limit, however, differs from
state to state. Moreover, the determination of the 30
percent component has no clear relationship to the low-cost
houses target which is to be built by private developers, as
specified in the Malaysian Five Year Plan (ibid.). This 30
percent low-cost houses component is usually enforced
either at the conversion and subdivision application
approval level or when a private developer receives the
approval of conversion and subdivision. The imposition of
the 30 percent component is detected when the developer
submits an application to the local authority for the
approval of the plans and building projects. Compliance to
these requirements is confirmed when the developer
applies for the certificate of occupancy from the local
authorities.
b. Unit Price of a Low-Cost House
When the low-cost housing policy was first
implemented, the price of a low-cost house was about
RM25,000. This price had remained up until June 1998
when the federal government agreed to allow low-cost
houses to be sold at a price higher than RM25,000,
according to the project site (Government of Malaysia,
2001).Implementation guidelines the prices of new
low-cost homes, which has been in effect from June 10,
1998.However, average house prices had fallen in 1997
and 1998 during the economic downturn. The average
house price reached a record level of RM101,544 in 1996,
before declining to RM82,916 in 1998. The increase in
house prices before 1997 were probably due to high
demand and the rising cost of labour and building materials.
The demand for houses was also assisted by the ease of
access to financing obtained.
However, the prices of low cost houses for
low-income earners have been relatively stable due to the
price control done by the government. (Quality of life of
Malaysia 1999)
There are several low-cost housing programmes
provided by the local government to meet the housing
needs of low-income earners. Each state has its own
low-cost housing programmes which are in line with the
State’s structural plan. On the other hand, the national
housing policy is also set by the Ministry of Urban
Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to the
same effect. Below are the low-cost housing programmes
in Malaysia which are implemented by the local council in
Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
III. Public Housing Programme
The Low-Cost Housing Programme (PPAKR) aims to
provide homes for low-income earners through a number
of schemes. This program is intended for buyers with
monthly household income of approximately RM1,500 and
below while the per unit selling price of the houses do not
exceed RM35,000. The featured type of houses are by
location and land either 5 storey flats or terraced houses.
The minimum design for a low-cost house is has a standard
built up area of not less than 60 square meters (900 square
feet), featuring three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen,
bathroom and toilet (Quality of life in Malaysia, 2004).
1. Low-Cost Housing Programme
The area of a low-cost house has to be in accordance
with the guidelines of the local government in each state,
while the pricing in line with the guidelines of the National
Housing Department. In the case of low-cost houses
provided by private developers that provide medium cost
housing, a minimum total contribution of low cost houses
of about 20% (up to a maximum of 30%) is imposed.
2. People’s Housing Program (PPR)
Houses featured are with an area of 700 square feet
(larger compared to the age old 650 square feet and 600
square feet practice); with three bedrooms, two bathrooms,
a kitchen, an area for drying clothes, and tiled floors.
Facilities such as community halls, playgrounds for
children, kindergartens, shops, stalls, prayer halls (Surau),
parking areas and other public spaces are also provided for
the comfort of the residents so that they can enjoy a high
quality healthy living environment.Since the introduction
of PPR in 1998 up till December 31st of 2012, the federal
government through the KPKT has completed about 67

3. APNHR April 2015 3
projects consisting of 64,771 PPR units (rental) and 23
projects consisting of 3109 PPR units (Owned). PPR units
are rented to applicants who meet the requirements and
criteria at a rate of RM124 per month or sold at a price of
RM30,000 to RM35,000 each.
The 67 PPR projects (rental) spans throughout the
country, namely in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor,
Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak and Kuala
Lumpur, while 23 PPR projects (Owned) are located
specifically in Pahang. Additionally, a total of 21 projects
involving approximately 11,028 units are currently in
various stages of implementation.
Under the 2013 Budget, a total of RM1.9 billion had
been allocated to build 123,000 affordable homes in
strategic locations throughout the country. From the total
provision, RM543 million had been allocated to KPKT to
finance 45 projects involving 20,454 units under the PPR
project that will be built using the industrialized building
system. (Ministry of Urban Well being, Housing and Local
Government).
IV. Policies, Guidelines and Standards
At the national level, state policies are generally
transfigured in detail into policies and development
strategies of the country. At the state level, there exist
structural and strategic plans in place for each state that
fuels policies. The transformation process of the more
general policies at the national level into detailed strategies
and requirements at the state and local authority level
however, is not uniform, with promised benefits not given
adequate attention and in turn burdening the low-cost
housing industry locally (Ghani and Lee 1997). Generally,
according to the national development policy, the market
strategy was proposed and given to the related private
entities after introducing the new guidelines of low-cost
housing on the sales market in June 1998 (amended in
2002). Private developers and agencies are encouraged to
implement market price adjustments for low wage earner
levels (RM750 per month), with a ceiling price of
RM25,000 (with the exception of Johor, which is set at
RM20,000) and houses of 45-56 m² in size.
The guidelines for low-cost housing which was
established in 1982 with a set price of RM25,000 a unit,
had been since reviewed and re-evaluated by the Ministry
of Housing and the local government in June 1998. The
original pricing was deemed no longer appropriate in the
current situation where construction costs are way higher,
thus, a new pricing which is in accordance with the current
situation had to be established.
1. State Policies
Policies at the State level are as a whole a more
detailed and have better overall strategies. State level
policies are derived from the structural and strategic plan
and strategic plans specific to the state. The overall local
plan describes the particular needs of the local authorities.
In the case of the low-cost housing industry, at the local
level policies are more specific on the benefits granted or
the burden on developers. As in the state policies these
aspects are described clearly with regards to the local
authority in each state.
In order to improve the quality of low-cost houses and
simultaneously meet private developers argument for a
review of selling prices of these units the government has
introduced in 1998 the new pricing guidelines for this type
of houses (Morshidi, Abdul Fatah, Abdul Rashid, Alip,
Halim, Usman, 1999).Though part of a same country, there
exist a different understanding in the sense of the local
standards and conditions with regards to the local
authorities.
2. Local Guidelines
In this study, two cities and its local council are
contrasted according to its local structures. There are
advantages and disadvantages in each of the local council
guidelines. As such, there is a need for better guidelines
and its efficient execution in the future. The local
government plays a role in approving building plans
submitted by developers, designers and architects. Thus, in
the efforts of the distribution of housing to the people, the
local government should distribute housing to people of all
walks of life respectively. Mohd Fuad (1998) found that
most of the Malays could not afford to buy houses as the
market price is too high and the form of housing is less
desirable to them. His discussion was specific on the
inability of a certain race in acquiring houses due to high
prices. In other words, there is a lack of low medium and
low-cost housing projects as developers are not very
interested in undertaking such projects. Most homes and
condos in the Federal Territory are priced at RM150,000.00
- 500,000.00. As such, only a handful of Malays are able
to acquire said houses when compared to other races
(Junaidi, Rosmadi & Amer, 2012).
a. Kuala Lumpur
The DBKL local council has a 2020 Structural Plan
goal that is yet to be achieved which aims to make Kuala
Lumpur a city that protects the wellbeing and comfort of
its populace. Squatters in Kuala Lumpur and around the
city have been long eliminated through public housing and
PPAKR programmes to meet the housing demand of the

4. 4 APNHR April 2015
people in the city.
The Affordable basic home policy introduced in the
federal Region has been implemented in the Federal
Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, and
have been effective since 28 March 2013. These regions
still use the low-cost housing guidelines (KPKT, 1998) for
house pricing and household size allocation. The table
below shows the variation of the guidelines used by the
two local authorities of Kuala Lumpur and Penang
respectively.
The service of the approval process should be
consistent for all the authorities. Approval time is very
crucial to developers in the short term in order to speed up
the work efforts and effective documentation.
b. Penang State
The table 1 describes the proposed price of low cost
houses in Penang, where the categories of government
owned land and private owned land are divided into two
regions, namely zone A, which is made up of reclaimed
land and the region of Georgetown and Jelutong, and zone
B, which covers the area of Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung
Bunga, Batu Feringghi, Air Itam, new Farlim, Gelugor and
Bukit Bendera. Stated are the prices set by the local
authority on the lands in each region, last amended in July
2003. Since land is limited in Penang, land prices are high
is highly likely to rise even more, thus, high density
housing are given focus and built widely especially in
urban areas while in the outskirts of Balik Pulau there is
are less high rise properties.
Table 1. States and Private Land Proposal Pricing Low-cost
Housing MPPP
LMC- Low medium cost LC- Low cost
(Source: Guidelines Zoning Low medium cost/ low cost Housing
approved on 18 July 2003).
In the state of Penang, the local government had
proposed and fixed the latest housing prices and low-cost
housing area size in 18 June 2013. The standard size of a
house is also emphasized in residential areas and the prices
of these houses depend on the category they belong to,
either government owned or private owned land.
3. Standards
This paper highlights two highly-developed cities
which are Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The local authorities
in both cities used different standards and local conditions,
according to the specific area and district. In June 1998, the
government had given specific instructions that each unit
of an apartment should have a minimum built-up area of
550 sq. ft., comprising of two bedrooms, a living room,
kitchen and bathroom (Ghani and Chong, 1997). However,
the new guideline which was established through the
amendment in 2002, clearly explicated that the design of
low-cost houses must at least, have a minimum built-up
area of 678 sq. ft., comprising of three bedrooms, a living
room, kitchen and bathroom, so as to adhere to the size
specified by CIDB as the standard of the construction
industry.
Table 2. Type houses and Pricing under Category Affordable
Housing (KPKT 2011)
(Source: KPKT 2011).
The development cost increase from time to time give
effect certain amount subsidy from the Government. In
addition the household income slow increase, authority
have proposed for affordable house price refer the table
below. The price selling only on states Wilayah
Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya & Labuan). The
price not for low income group to buy the house in the city.
Table 3. Proposal Type house price and size minimum under
RUMAWIP
Type Price Selling Min. Size
Low price
house
RM63,000 (Kuala Lumpur
dan Putrajaya) RM52,000
(Labuan)
700 Sq. Feet
(3 Bedroom)
Medium low
price house
RM63,002 – RM150,000 800 Sq. Feet
(3 Bedroom) and
650 Sq. Feet
(2 Bedroom and
less)
Medium price
house
RM150,001 – RM300,000
(Source: RUMAWIP 2013).
Compare prices and size standard between authorities
Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and Penang (MPPP) have a
different proposal price and size in a city or rural area. The
price and size should be controlled by local authorities so
low income group can a afford the a house.
The local council referred and adhered to the standard
design of low-cost houses’ guideline which is issued by the
National Housing Department and the Ministry of Housing
and Local Government. The guideline given is based on
Zone Type
Development
Type Of
Houses
Size
(m²)
Minima
Price
(RM)
Max
%
A LMC Flat 60m² 65,000.00 10%
LC Flat 56m² 42,000.00 30%
B
LC
LC
LC
Flat
Terrace
Cluster/
CityHouses
56m²
56m²
56m²
35,000.00
38,000.00
38,000.00
30%
30%
30%
Type Price Selling Size
Low Cost RM 42,000 650 Sq. Feet
Low Medium Cost RM 42,001 –RM150,000 750 Sq. Feet-
800 Sq. Feet
Medium Cost RM150,001–RM300,000 801 Sq. Feet-
900 Sq. Feet

5. APNHR April 2015 5
the National Housing Policy. There is a difference between
the guideline made in 1998 and the national housing
standard guideline for low-cost houses of 1998, which was
issued by the Malaysian Construction Industry
Development Board (CIDB), regarding the size of houses.
There is a need for further research, study and evaluation
to be conducted by interviewing the group of people who
have owned or rented these low-cost houses for a duration
of more than 5 years in order to identify any changes that
have been made in regards to the social, economic and
physical aspects refer the table 4.
Table 4. Low-Cost Houses-New Design Specifications
Elements Terrace Flats Terrace
CIDB
Flats
CIDB
Floor space 48-60 m² 45-56 m² 60 m² 63 m²
Bedroom
Min. number
Min.area of
habitable room
i. First room
ii. Second room
iii. Third room
3
11.7 m²
9.9 m²
7.2 m²
3
11.7 m²
9.9 m²
7.2 m²
3
11.7 m²
9.9 m²
7.2 m²
3
11.7 m²
9.9 m²
7.2 m²
Kitchen-minimum
area
4.5 m² 4.5 m² 5.4 m² 5.4 m²
Living and dining
rooms
Provided
as one
combined
space or
separately
with
adequate
area
according
to
internal
layout
Provided
as one
combined
space or
separately
with
adequate
area
according
to
internal
layout
Provided
as one
combined
space or
separately
with
adequate
area
according
to
internal
layout
Provided
as one
combined
space or
separately
with
adequate
area
according
to
internal
layout
Bathroom /toilet Provided
separately
with min.
area of
1.8 m²
each
Provided
separately
with min.
area of
1.8 m²
each
Provided
separately
with min.
area of
1.8 m²
each
Provided
separately
with min.
area of
1.8 m²
each
Storage space and
porch
Adequate
provision
for
resident’s
comfort
Adequate
provision
for
resident’s
comfort
Adequate
provision
for
resident’s
comfort
Adequate
provision
for
resident’s
comfort
Drying area
(*) Laundry
Facilities
-
Adequate
provision
for each
unit
-
Adequate
provision
for each
unit
Note: (*) Must be provided according to the “Guidelines for the
provision of launderette facilities in multi-storey building”
prepared by Local Government Department, Ministry of Housing
and Local Government.
(Souce: Minisrty of Housing and Local Government 1998)
V. Typology of Low-cost Houses in Malaysia
Housing plans in Malaysia, especially in cities, used
bricks and reinforced concrete. Under the low-cost housing
design, there are three sub-units of design that fall under
this category; low-density, medium density, and high
density. Wood-based constructions are no longer
implemented, since the burning down of the house owned
by British Administration Officer, Sir Frank Swettenham in
Kuala Lumpur. The enactment of stricter laws for housing
standards was carried out during the early 1870s. The
reconstruction of Kuala Lumpur city using fire-resistant
materials as required by the new regulations enacted
resulted in the establishment of 15 brick kilns and 6 lime
kilns around the city in 1886.
1. Low Density Units
Low density units are under the classification of
terraced and semi-detached houses. There exist housing
schemes categorized under public housing sectors where
the said houses are built on government-owned land. Under
private housing sectors, there are no such housing schemes.
Most of the public housing schemes consist of single and
double storeyed terrace houses. Currently, the public sector
prefers to build single-storeyed low-cost houses compared
to the double-storeyed ones. During the 1980s, there were
still schemes available for the construction of
double-storeyed low cost houses.
Fig.1. Single-storey Low-cost House
(Source: SPNB).
Fig.2. Perspective view Single-storey Low-cost House
(Source: SPNB).
Single-storey low-cost houses in Taman Apas Permai,
built by the National Housing Company Limited (SPNB).
Total built-up floor area per unit is approximately 700
square feet, whereas house prices range from RM50,000.
Specifications of the single-storey terrace houses are as
follows: reinforced concrete frame structure; walls are also
reinforced concrete, metal decking aluminium roof truss
roofing, asbestos ceiling boards with emulsion paint, metal
framed windows with adjustable glass louvres, plywood

6. 6 APNHR April 2015
doors. House layout is such that there is no privacy for the
host of the living room; dining room overlooks the
entrance to the rooms. Façade of the house is more or less
attractive and in accordance with the current design trend.
Fig.3. Semi-D single- storey Low-Cost House
(Source: SPNB).
Fig.4. Front View Semi-D single- storey Low-Cost House
(Source: SPNB).
Semi-Detached single storey houses at Lahat Indah,
built by the National Housing Company Limited (SPNB).
Total built-up floor area per unit is approximately 1030
square feet, whereas house prices range from RM145,000.
Specifications of the semi-D single storey terrace houses
are as follows: reinforced concrete frame structure with
brick walls, concrete tile roofing and non-asbestos ceiling
boards with emulsion paint, metal framed casement
windows with adjustable glass louvres, plywood and PVC
doors. Unique layout, disjointed living room and dining
area gives increased family privacy. Features tropical
architectural façade.
2. Medium Density Housing
Under this category, many 3, 4 and 5 storey walk-up
flats had been visited throughout East and West Malaysia.
It is noted that the construction of flats are lesser in the city
areas because of limited and expensive land space in
addition to the fact that high density housing is not
suitable for cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Majority of the medium density housing features a house
design of two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a
bathroom and balcony. The medium density housing is
designed by the Housing Trust, on some occasions by the
Municipality of Kuala Lumpur and by the state
development corporations, such as that of Selangor (KC
Leong, 1979). Accordingly, (NSW Planning, 2011)
Low-rise medium density residential development is
desirable because it:
1. is less expensive to build
2. Does not need major site amalgamation
3. Performs environmentally better than most
high-rise housing (Holloway and Bunker,
2006; Pullen, 2007)
4. Can deliver a greater mix of more affordable
housing types
5. Fits perfectly into existing streets and
neighbourhoods
6. Suits a wide range of demographic groups
Low-rise medium density design housing is mostly
built in the rural areas depending on the surrounding
environment and the plot ratio of the construction site.
Fig.6 features examples of Low-rise medium density
design houses in Malaysia.
Fig.5. Layout plan 5 storey Low-Cost House
(Source: SPNB).
Fig.6. Perspective view 5 storey flat Low-Cost House
(Source: SPNB).
5 Storey flat low-cost houses in Seremban Putra, built
by the National Housing Company Limited (SPNB). Total
built-up floor area per unit is approximately 849 square
feet, whereas house prices range from RM78,000.
Specifications of the 5 story flat low cost houses are as
follows: reinforced concrete frame structure with brick
walls, aluminium truss concrete roof tiles, painted rendered
cement ceiling and asbestos free ceiling for upper units,

7. APNHR April 2015 7
aluminium framed windows, plywood flush doors and
aluminium framed sliding door (for the balcony), ceramic
tile floor finish for the Living, dining, bedroom, kitchen,
bathroom area, whereas the balcony, wet area and corridor
feature cement floors. Unique layout with disjointed
kitchen and dining area but connected living and dining
area, however not culturally suitable since guests will be
welcomed through the dining room.
3. High Density Housing.
High density housing began in Malaysia in the 1960s,
encouraged and preceded by Singapore’s high density
housing efforts which at the time was better in quality and
design. K.C.Leong (1979) explicated that the construction
of conventional reinforced concrete frame high-rise flats
started in Kuala Lumpur in as early as 1958. The examples
of which are the likes of the Solomon Court Flats and the
Jalan Loke Yew Flats. Almost all the low-cost housing in
cities implemented the high density housing concept due to
the factors of limited land space and its exorbitant prices.
Fig.1. Low Cost Apartment
(Source: SPNB).
Fig.7. Layout plan Low Cost Apartment
(Source: SPNB).
Fig.7. Perspective view Low Cost Apartment
(Source: SPNB).
Seri Molek Perdana Low cost Apartments, built by the
National Housing Company Limited (SPNB). Total
built-up floor area per unit is approximately 700 square
feet, whereas house prices range from RM35,000.
Specifications of the low cost apartment is as follows:
reinforced concrete frame structure with brick walls,
reinforced concrete roofs, emulsion paint skim coated
ceilings; sliding, adjustable louvered and fixed louvered
windows, plywood flush, solid wood and PVC doors,
cement rendered floor finish in living, dining, master
bedroom and bedrooms with ceramic tile floor finish in
kitchen, bathroom and others. Unique layout with
disjointed kitchen and dining area but connected living and
dining area, however not culturally suitable since guests
will be welcomed through the dining room.
However, current high rise housing is still not up to the
satisfactory level of quality and standards as required by
Malaysian households.
The factors that determine the standards of quality in a
low-cost flats, in descending order of importance are:
house safety, provision of public amenities, internal
environment of unit, maintenance and surrounding
environment, location, sanitary fittings, unit size, type of
house, material used, internal unit layout, quality of
workmanship, structure and appearance of the house (Goh,
Ai & Ahmad, Yahya, 2012).
VI.Conclusion
In a nutshell, the prices of low cost houses are
increasing. If not regulated, it is very likely that people
with low incomes would not be able to afford to own a
house.
Related policies, guidelines and standards must be
reviewed regularly since a household nowadays is quite
varied in size. Low cost housing schemes in every state
needs to have its own specified guidelines enacted by the
respective state authorities since the density of houses built
should be dependent on the need of the occupants. As an
example, a more comfortable design that provides a bigger
space is in demand in cities such as Kuala Lumpur and
Penang. The design of low cost houses need to be reviewed
according to the current social and economic aspects
besides being implemented through new approaches in the
planning of policies, programmes and architectural design
for the future. An extended research needs to be conducted
so that the objectives of tropical architecture for occupants
of houses in Malaysia can be achieved.
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