{"id":255,"date":"2019-09-02T03:54:47","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T03:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irdp.tk\/?p=255"},"modified":"2020-09-25T03:59:36","modified_gmt":"2020-09-25T03:59:36","slug":"affordable-housing-public-transport-big-parts-of-urban-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irdp.my\/bm\/affordable-housing-public-transport-big-parts-of-urban-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Affordable housing, public transport big parts of urban design"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Access to decent housing is recognised as a basic human right, as outlined in the United Nations\u2019 (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .<\/p>

The UN outlined that decent housing does not only mean a place to stay, but it must be affordable, secure, in good location, habitable and accessible.<\/p>

Bank Negara states that providing adequate and affordable housing is a shared responsibility.<\/p>

More importantly, the central bank highlighted the need to reduce the cost of house components.<\/p>

This would translate into lower house prices vis-\u00e0-vis the previous approach of addressing affordability via providing financing. To complement this, we should look into ways to reduce transportation cost.<\/p>

With houses becoming unaffordable, especially in urban areas where economic opportunities are aplenty, some people are forced to settle down in fringe areas.<\/p>

With limited economic opportunities, public transport and public services in fringe areas, travelling to urban areas for work becomes a big cost for the people.<\/p>

Urban design is the macro process of outlining how city or town environments should be, in contrast with architecture.<\/p>

Urban design looks into the whole concept of buildings, streets, parks and public space.<\/p>

Its aim is to ensure a city\u2019s sustainability by having good accessibility, with each space interacting as a whole.<\/p>

Two important components in urban design are inclusivity and sustainability.<\/p>

It is mentioned in Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the UN to \u201cMake cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable\u201d.<\/p>

To achieve this, 10 mechanisms were listed, on which two<\/p>

mechanisms mentioned affordable housing and public transport.<\/p>

By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. Slums must be upgraded too.<\/p>

Provide access to sustainable transport systems for all, improve road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with attention given to the needs of those in vulnerable situations.<\/p>

Planning can be used to allow people to have better connectivity and accessibility.<\/p>

Connectivity should be in a measurable index in terms of how people move from one point to another.<\/p>

People who do not own a vehicle can stay anywhere in the township, gain access to public transport and go wherever they want.<\/p>

For this, more buses should be deployed, especially for areas not covered by the light rail transit and mass rail transit lines.<\/p>

Negative perception of public transport can be improved via ensuring reliable bus services.<\/p>

Bus lanes could be introduced to ensure buses avoid traffic.<\/p>

DR MOHD ARIFF MOHD DAUD<\/strong><\/p>

Senior Research Analyst, IRDP<\/p>

Also published at:<\/p>