FRAMING THE ‘SOFT PART’ IN LIVEABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD: A PERSPECTIVE FROM MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1833Keywords:
Social Dimension, Liveable, NeighbourhoodAbstract
A socially cohesive society is widely recognised as a vital component of the "soft part" of liveability in neighbourhoods, fostering a sense of belonging through active engagement, mutual respect, and strong community interactions. This intangible dimension significantly influences residents' community experience and participation within their living environments. This study aims to identify the social dimension aspect and attributes that contribute to the development of liveable neighbourhoods within Malaysia’s housing sector. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative insights obtained through the Fuzzy Delphi technique, which was used to achieve expert consensus among 14 selected professionals and quantitative data derived from community perceptions in 10 neighborhoods identified by local authorities as high in liveability. The experts were selected based on criteria including academic publications in urban planning and housing, professional experience in town planning and development, and recognition for cities with high liveability ratings in Malaysia. Community perceptions were gathered from residents in neighborhoods with the highest liveability indices. The findings validate key social aspects such as density, demographic structure, lifestyle, social, local preferences, and cultural identity as critical features of liveable neighborhoods. This research provides valuable insights to inform future planning, development, and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the social dimension of liveability in Malaysian urban environments.
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