Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Study on the Linkages between Residential Satisfaction and the Overall Quality of Life in Bandar Tun Razak Area of Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia

  • Published:
Applied Research in Quality of Life Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper provides an assessment of the links between residential satisfaction with the housing sector and the overall quality of life (QOL) in Bandar Tun Razak area (BTR). As the QOL concept is multidimensional, five domains were selected to measure the overall QOL namely; economic capacity, safety condition, social involvement and community participation, physical and emotional health, and spiritual life. While for the housing sector, the study involved 32 indicators that cover the different housing features. Besides, In order to obtain a representative sample, a stratified convenient sampling was employed and 331 questionnaires were collected. The findings show that respondents were slightly unsatisfied with safety condition and economic capacity, whereas they were only slightly satisfied with social and community participation which require further attention to the improvement of these three domains. Moreover, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was applied on the housing indicators resulting in the extraction of five factors which are: housing size, neighbourhood quality, public facilities, housing suitability, and housing quality. Among these five factors, it was found that the housing size affects the overall residential satisfaction highly. Eventually, a path diagram was employed to measure links between the housing sub-domains and QOL domains. The results show that the housing size and public facilities influence the economic capacity domain effectively. While the neighbourhood quality and housing suitability affect both safety condition and social and community participation domains.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adriaanse, C. C. M. (2007). Measuring residential satisfaction: a residential environmental satisfaction scale (RESS). Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 22(3), 287–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azahan, A., Jamaluddin, M., Lukman, Z., Kadaruddin, A., & Kadir, A. (2009). The quality of life in Malaysia’s intermediate city: urban dwellers perspective. European Journal of Social Sciences, 9(1), 161–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonaiuto, M. (2004). Residential satisfaction and perceived urban quality. In C. Spielberger (a cura di), Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology. Oxford: Elsevier Academic Press (Vol. 3, pp. 267–272).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R., & Brown, I. (2005). The application of quality of life. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(10), 718–727.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costanza, R., Fisher, B., Ali, S., Beer, C., Bond, L., Boumans, R., & Farley, J. (2008). An integrative approach to quality of life measurement, research, and policy. Surveys and Perspectives Integrating Environment and Society, 1(1), 17–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, R. A. (1997). Comprehensive quality of life scale: Adult (ComQol-A5): Manual. Centre for Australia-Asia Studies, Deaking University.

  • Cummins, R. A. (2005). Moving from the quality of life concept to a theory. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(10), 699–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Vaus, D. (2013). Surveys in social research. London and New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Suh, E. (1997). Measuring quality of life: economic, social, and subjective indicators. Social Indicators Research, 40(1), 189–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Djebarni, R., & Al-Abed, A. (2000). Satisfaction level with neighborhood in low income public housing in Yemen. Property Management, 18(4), 230–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Economic Planning Unit (EPU). (2013). Malaysian well-being report. Putrajaya: Prime Minister’s Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Economic Planning Unit (EPU). (2015). Eleventh Malaysia plan (2016–2020). Putrajaya: Prime Minister’s Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). (2005). The Economist Intelligence Unit’s quality-of-life index. Retrieved April 15, 2016. http://www.economist.com/media/pdf/QUALITY_OF_LIFE.pdf.

  • Felce, D. (1997). Defining and applying the concept of quality of life. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 41(2), 126–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Felce, D., & Perry, J. (1995). Quality of life: Its definition and measurement. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 16(1), 51–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Felix, R., & Garcia-Vega, J. (2012). Quality of life in Mexico: A formative measurement approach. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 7(3), 223–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galloway, S., Bell, D., Hamilton, C., & Scullion, A. (2006). Well-being and quality of life: measuring the benefits of culture and sport - a literature review and thinkpiece. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galster, G. C. (1987). Identifying the correlates of dwelling satisfaction: an empirical critique. Environment and Behavior, 19(5), 539–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guhathakurta, S., & Cao, Y. (2011). Variations in objective quality of urban life across a city region: The case of phoenix. In W. R. Marans & J. R. Stimson (Eds.), Investigating quality of urban life: theory, methods, and empirical research (pp. 135–160). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Haas, B. K. (1999). A multidisciplinary concept analysis of quality of life. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 21(6), 728–742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagerty, M. R., Cummins, R. A., Ferriss, A. L., Land, K., Michalos, A. C., Peterson, M., & Vogel, J. (2001). Quality of life indexes for national policy: Review and agenda for research. Social Indicators Research, 55(1), 1–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinton, P. R. (2014). Statistics explained. London and New York: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hooper, D., Coughlan, J., & Mullen, M. (2008). Structural equation modelling: guidelines for determining model fit. Journal of Business Research Methods, 6(1), 53–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Z., & Du, X. (2015). Assessment and determinants of residential satisfaction with public housing in Hangzhou, China. Habitat International, 47, 218–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibem, E. O., & Aduwo, E. B. (2013). Assessment of residential satisfaction in public housing in Ogun state, Nigeria. Habitat International, 40, 163–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim, N., Din, N. C., Ahmad, M., Ghazali, S. E., Said, Z., Shahar, S., & Razali, R. (2013). Relationships between social support and depression, and quality of life of the elderly in a rural community in Malaysia. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 5(S1), 59–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inoguchi, T., & Fujii, S. (2013). The quality of life in Asia: a comparison of quality of life in Asia (Vol. 1). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keul, A. G., & Prinz, T. (2011). The Salzburg quality of urban life study with GIS support. In W. R. Marans & J. R. Stimson (Eds.), Investigating quality of urban life: Theory, methods, and empirical research (pp. 273–293). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Khalil, H. A. E. E. (2012). Enhancing quality of life through strategic urban planning. Sustainable Cities and Society, 5, 77–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuala Lumpur City Hall (KLCH). (2008). Draft Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020-Towards a world class city. Kuala Lumpur: Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad.

  • Li, S. M., & Song, Y. L. (2009). Redevelopment, displacement, housing conditions, and residential satisfaction: a study of Shanghai. Environment and Planning A, 41(5), 1090–1108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., & Wu, F. (2013). Residential satisfaction in China's informal settlements: a case study of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Urban Geography, 34(7), 923–949.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lora, E. A., & Powell, A. (2011). A new way of monitoring the quality of urban life (November 2011). IDB working paper No. IDB-WP-272. Available at SSRN: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1972111.

  • Lu, M. (1999). Determinants of residential satisfaction: Ordered logit vs regression models. Growth and Change, 30, 264–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marans, R. W. (2012). Quality of urban life studies: an overview and implications for environment-behaviour research. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 35, 9–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marans, R. W., & Kweon, B.-S. (2011). The quality of life in metro Detroit at the beginning of the millennium. In W. R. Marans & J. R. Stimson (Eds.), Investigating quality of urban life: theory, methods, and empirical research (pp. 163–183). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Marans, R. W., & Stimson, R. (2011). An overview of quality of urban life. In W. R. Marans & J. R. Stimson (Eds.), Investigating quality of urban life: theory, methods, and empirical research (pp. 1–29). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mccrea, R., Stimson, R., & Western, J. (2005). Testing a moderated model of satisfaction with urban living using data for Brisbane-south East Queensland, Australia. Social Indicators Research, 72(2), 121–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCrea, R., Marans, R. W., Stimson, R., & Western, J. (2011a). Subjective measurement of quality of life using primary data collection and the analysis of survey data. In W. R. Marans & J. R. Stimson (Eds.), Investigating quality of urban life: theory, methods, and empirical research (pp. 55–75). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McCrea, R., Stimson, R., & Marans, R. W. (2011b). The evolution of integrative approaches to the analysis of quality of urban life. In W. R. Marans & J. R. Stimson (Eds.), Investigating quality of urban life: theory, methods, and empirical research (pp. 77–104). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Meeberg, G. A. (1993). Quality of life: A concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 18(1), 32–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michalos, A. C., & Zumbo, B. D. (1999). Public services and the quality of life. Social Indicators Research, 48(2), 125–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohit, M. A. (2013). Quality of life in natural and built environment – An introductory analysis. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 101, 33–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohit, M. A. (2014). Present trends and future directions of quality-of-life. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 153, 655–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohit, M. A., & Azim, M. (2012). Assessment of residential satisfaction with public housing in Hulhumale’, Maldives. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 50, 756–770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohit, M. A., Ibrahim, M., & Rashid, Y. (2010). Assessment of residential satisfaction in newly designed public low-cost housing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Habitat International, 34, 18–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mridha, A. M. M. H., & Moore, G. T. (2011). The quality of life in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Neighborhood quality as a major component of residential satisfaction. In W. R. Marans & J. R. Stimson (Eds.), Investigating quality of urban life: theory, methods, and empirical research (pp. 251–272). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • MURNInets. (2014). Malaysian urban rural national indicators network on sustainable development. Retrieved September 24, 2017. http://murninet.townplan.gov.my/murninets/.

  • Mustapha, F., Al-Abed, A., & Wild, S. (1995). A model for assessing the effectiveness of public housing in Sana'a (Republic of Yemen). Construction Management and Economics, 13(6), 457–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nadzir, N. M., Ibrahim, M., & Mansor, M. (2014). Impacts of coastal reclamation to the quality of life: Tanjung Tokong community, Penang. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 153, 159–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2015). How's life? 2015: measuring well-being. Paris: OECD Publishing.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Oh, L.S. (2000). Housing satisfaction of middle income households in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. Doctoral dissertation, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia.

  • Omar, D. B. (2009). Assessing residents’ quality of life in Malaysian new towns. Asian Social Science, 5(6), 94–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Psatha, E., Deffner, A., & Psycharis, Y. (2011). Defining the quality of urban life: Which factors should be considered? Paper presented at the 51st Congress of the European Regional Science Association: "New Challenges for European Regions and Urban Areas in a Globalised World", Barcelona.

  • Riecken, G., Shemwell, D., & Yavas, U. (2000). Assessing a place to live: a quality of life perspective. Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing, 7(2), 17–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salleh, A. G. (2008). Neighbourhood factors in private low-cost housing in Malaysia. Habitat International, 32(4), 485–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schalock, R. L. (2004). The concept of quality of life: what we know and do not know. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 48(3), 203–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siwar, C., & Kassim, M. Y. (1997). Urban development and urban poverty in Malaysia. International Journal of Social Economics, 24(12), 1524–1535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skevington, S. M., Lotfy, M., & O'Connell, K. A. (2004). The World Health Organization's WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment: Psychometric properties and results of the international field trial. A report from the WHOQOL group. Quality of Life Research, 13(2), 299–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teck-Hong, T. (2012). Housing satisfaction in medium-and high-cost housing: The case of greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Habitat International, 36(1), 108–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tee, G. A., & Ahmad, Y. (2012). Public low-cost housing in Malaysia: Case studies on PPR low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur. Journal of Design and Built Environment, 8(1), 2–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkoglu, H. (2015). Sustainable development and quality of urban life. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 202, 10–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Türksever, A. N. E., & Atalik, G. (2001). Possibilities and limitations for the measurement of the quality of life in urban areas. Social Indicators Research, 53(2), 163–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (UN). (2014). World urbanization prospects: The 2014 revision, highlights. New York: United Nations.

  • Varady, D. P., & Carrozza, M. A. (2000). Towards a better way to measure customer satisfaction levels in public housing: a report from Cincinnati. Housing Studies, 15(6), 797–825.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verdugo, M. A., Schalock, R. L., Keith, K. D., & Stancliffe, R. J. (2005). Quality of life and its measurement: important principles and guidelines. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(10), 707–717.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHOQOL Group. (1995). The World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL): Position paper from the World Health Organization. Social Science & Medicine, 41(10), 1403–1409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yahaya, N., Abdullah, S. S., Momtaz, Y. A., & Hamid, T. A. (2010). Quality of life of older Malaysians living alone. Educational Gerontology, 36(10–11), 893–906.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zainal, N. R., Kaur, G., Ahmad, N. A., & Khalili, J. M. (2012). Housing conditions and quality of life of the urban poor in Malaysia. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 50, 827–838.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zakerhaghighi, K., Khanian, M., & Gheitarani, N. (2015). Subjective quality of life; assessment of residents of informal settlements in Iran (a case study of Hesar Imam Khomeini, Hamedan). Applied Research in Quality of Life, 10(3), 419–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zebardast, E., & Nooraie, H. (2017). Investigating the relationship between housing satisfaction and quality of life in the decayed historic areas of Isfahan using path diagram. Indoor and Built Environment. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1420326x17690795.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Ilyes Bougouffa

  2. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Centre of Innovative Planning and Development, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Ariva Sugandi Permana

Authors
  1. Ilyes Bougouffa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ariva Sugandi Permana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ilyes Bougouffa.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bougouffa, I., Permana, A.S. A Study on the Linkages between Residential Satisfaction and the Overall Quality of Life in Bandar Tun Razak Area of Kuala Lumpur City, Malaysia. Applied Research Quality Life 13, 991–1013 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-017-9570-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-017-9570-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation