A recent study by Think City Sdn Bhd has highlighted the growing importance of resident participation, local leadership and community stewardship in creating more resilient, liveable and sustainable public housing communities in Malaysia.
The findings were published in a report titled From Roof to Resilience: A Social Assessment of Malaysia’s Public Housing, which was launched by Nga Kor Ming during the 13th session of the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13).
Held under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities”, WUF13 focused on the role of housing within broader urban liveability and sustainability agendas. According to Think City, the launch provided an opportunity to present Malaysia’s public housing experiences on an international stage as cities globally search for more integrated urban development solutions.
The study was based on a social assessment involving 2,884 households across 10 public housing locations in the Klang Valley. It explored key issues surrounding liveability, safety, building management, social cohesion and upward mobility within public housing communities.
The report noted that Malaysia’s public housing programmes have supported more than three million people during the country’s rapid urbanisation process, as urban population levels increased from below 30% in 1970 to more than 75% today. Public housing developments also played a significant role in reducing informal settlements and improving access to urban living environments.
According to the study, public housing should not be viewed solely as physical infrastructure, but rather as a broader social ecosystem shaped by governance systems, public services, shared spaces and active community participation.
The publication advocates for a more integrated approach that combines physical improvements such as better housing, facilities and maintenance with stronger resident engagement, community leadership and local stewardship initiatives.
Nga said Malaysia’s public housing sector must continue evolving alongside the changing needs of urban residents, stressing that improvements to buildings and infrastructure must also be supported by strong social systems and shared community responsibility.
Hamdan Abdul Majeed said public housing developments represent both the aspirations and challenges faced by urban families, adding that residents can become active contributors to neighbourhood improvement when provided with effective support systems.
The publication also highlighted the progress of Think City’s Kita-untuk-Kita (K2K) programme, a Ministry of Finance-funded community empowerment initiative launched in 2023 by Anwar Ibrahim.
The K2K programme focuses on strengthening resident participation and neighbourhood stewardship within public housing communities throughout the Klang Valley.
To date, the initiative has reached over 30,000 residents across 10 sites through community-led Forum Komuniti (Forkom) platforms. The programme has also supported 32 community-based organisations, facilitated more than 50 community grant projects and implemented over 220 physical improvement initiatives within participating neighbourhoods.
The study concluded that long-term public housing resilience depends not only on physical development but also on active community participation, collective responsibility and strong local governance structures. These goals align with Malaysia’s wider urban development objectives under Ekonomi Madani and the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Yao Mu Realty, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, specializes in industrial real estate for factories and land, delivering professional and efficient solutions.
Posted by Yao Mu Realty Sdn Bhd on 19 May 26
Malaysia