ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL PLANNING CRITERIA ASSOCIATED WITH INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONSIDERATIONS IN REFURBISHED KINDERGARTENS WITHIN SHOP OFFICE SETTINGS

Authors

  • Intan Bayani Zakaria Department of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA, MALAYSIA
  • Mohd Firrdhaus Mohd Sahabuddin Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA, MALAYSIA
  • Norhayati Mahyuddin Department of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, UNIVERSITI MALAYA, MALAYSIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i42.2031

Keywords:

Spatial Planning, Indoor Air Quality, Kindergarten, Refurbished, Shop Office

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a role in the health, comfort, and cognitive development of young children. This issue is critical in early childhood education environments. In urban areas, many kindergartens operate in commercial buildings, particularly converted shop office units. However, these buildings often lack spatial planning features that support indoor environments. This study evaluates the compliance level of spatial planning features associated with IAQ-related planning considerations in refurbished kindergarten settings. A quantitative observational case study approach was adopted. The study involved six kindergartens located in refurbished shop office buildings in Selangor, Malaysia. Spatial planning criteria were synthesised from several Malaysian guidelines and standards. These included the Guidelines on the Establishment of Kindergarten and Child Care Centre (2017), Ministry of Education Malaysia Guidelines (2021), Uniform Building By-Laws (1984, Amendment 2021), ICOP IAQ 2010, and MS 1525:2019. The assessment focused on ten key spatial features. These features included floor area per child, window-to-floor ratio, open space provision, natural lighting and ventilation, back-up air-conditioning systems, operable windows, kitchen separation, zoning between clean and wet areas, building orientation, and room depth. Each feature was scored using a structured rubric. The scores were converted into percentages to determine the compliance level for each kindergarten. The compliance scores ranged from 57% to 87%, showing different levels of compliance among the case studies. Common weaknesses included insufficient operable windows, overcrowded classrooms, and poor kitchen zoning. The study recommends improving existing guidelines by integrating spatial planning criteria associated with IAQ considerations to support healthier refurbished kindergarten environments.

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Published

2026-06-03

How to Cite

Zakaria, I. B., Mohd Sahabuddin, M. F., & Mahyuddin, N. (2026). ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL PLANNING CRITERIA ASSOCIATED WITH INDOOR AIR QUALITY CONSIDERATIONS IN REFURBISHED KINDERGARTENS WITHIN SHOP OFFICE SETTINGS. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 24(42). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i42.2031

Issue

Vol. 24 (2026): PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL : Volume 24, Issue 3, 2026

Section

Article

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