Post-occupancy evaluation of communal spaces: usage patterns and resident satisfaction in three low-cost flats

Mansor, Mazlina and Ibrahim, Putri Haryati and Md Jani, Haza Hanurhaza and Abdul Rahman, Julaila and Patria @ Ahmad Patria, Abdullah Hasif (2025) Post-occupancy evaluation of communal spaces: usage patterns and resident satisfaction in three low-cost flats. PLANNING MALAYSIA: Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners, 23 (6). 857 -873. ISSN 1675-6215 E-ISSN 0128-0945

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Abstract

Low-cost flats in Malaysia provide only minimal communal facilities, with likely impacts daily life and satisfaction. Despite their importance to residents’ social interaction and well-being, few studies assess how specific communal spaces of the low-cost flats are used and rated. This paper evaluates usage and residents’ satisfaction across three low-cost flats. A mixed-method design was used. First, semi-structured interviews with the Joint Management Body (JMB) identified various communal spaces and their typical uses. Survey with residents then measured frequency of use and satisfaction of the communal spaces. Descriptive statistics and cross-comparisons classified spaces into high/low use and high/low satisfaction categories. Findings suggest that everyday community life is anchored in informal (emergent), unscheduled areas. Open yards, corridors, and parking are heavily used for casual play and socialising. Where provided, formal communal space (programmed) such as multipurpose hall and surau achieve the strongest combination of use and satisfaction. With flat without an indoor hall, the parking lot became the default gathering space resulting to high use but low satisfaction due to heat, limited seating, and safety concerns. High-use/low-satisfaction spaces emerged as priority future improvements. Low-cost, basic upgrades matter, ensure at least one dedicated indoor communal room and humanise informal outdoor areas with shade, seating, lighting, and maintenance. It implies that combining management insights with resident feedback offers a practical framework to target optimal improvements and guide more liveable, inclusive communal environments in low-cost housing

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Communal space, Shared space, Resident satisfaction, Low-cost housing, Quality housing environment
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races > HT101 Urban groups. The city. Urban sociology H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races > HT241 Urban ecology. Sustainable urban development H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races > HT51 Human settlements. Communities
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design > Department of Landscape Architecture
Depositing User:	Dr. Mazlina Mansor
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2026 15:10
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2026 15:10
Queue Number:	2026-01-Q1593
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/126785

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