Population growth and housing needs of urban areas in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

This study is concerned with the implications of population growth for housing needs in urban areas of Peninsular Malaysia from 1980 to 2010. The demographic trends and household structure of the main ethnic groups in the urban area are analysed as a basis for making projections of the urban population and the number of urban households. These projections, along with information on overcrowded, sub-standard, and dilapidated housing are then used for making estimates of housing needs. By the the year 2010, the urban population is projected to be between 12.7 million and 14.4 million. These projections imply that a total of between 1,938,700 and 2,121,700 new housing units will be required in that period. In the first decade of the period, an average of 43,800 to 44,800 new units need to be constructed annually, and this figure increases to an average of 88,100 to 101,200 new units annually in the last decade. Data on recent housing construction indicate that there may be annual shortfalls of 20,000 units between 1980 and 1990. Unless further measures are taken to meet the needs for housing, there will be subsequent increases in the housing shortage until at least 2010.