BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE “URBAN VILLAGE” ENVIRONMENT

The basic characteristics of the “urban village” environment are formed by combining the basic

characteristics of the village and urban environments. Thus, by identifying and understanding the result
of the combination between the basic village and urban environments would contribute towards
defining the “urban village” area according to the context of the area or location of study.

The formation of the “urban village” area could be measured according to its physical (geographical
position, land use, it settlement and construction), social (social relations, culture and local traditions as
well as organizational structure) and economic (land title, status of the land and current social economic
activities) environments.

Physical Environment
The “urban village’s” physical environment could be viewed according to its geographical position, land

use, its settlement and construction. The geographical position of the “urban village” lies in an urban

environment, which is the administrative, business and service centres that exist due to rapid urban

development. Hence, the “urban village” area is a village area surrounded by the urban environment
and is placed at the fringes of the urban boundary. The “urban village” is also surrounded by various
urban infrastructure facilities such as major roads, hyper-malls, commercial centres, industrial centres,
business centres, housing areas and condominiums as well as urban facilities.

The “land use” status in most of the “urban villages” in Malaysia has been categorized as a

development zone, comprising industrial, business and commercial as well as housing zones. All these

three zones were designed to form a well-planned, focused and modern urban landscape. This has had

a direct effect on the “urban village” population’s “land-use” status, which was earlier gazetted for

‘agriculture’ and ‘settlement’ use and now the whole “urban village” area has had its status changed to

“development”. The strategy and planning involved in changing the “land-use” status is important in

ensuring a smooth and continuous urban development process (Malaysia, 2010).

In China, the “urban village” was once inhabited by farmers, livestock breeders and small

businessmen. Urban development had caused the agriculture area to be repossessed by the
government in order to develop the industrial, manufacturing and urban facility sectors. This situation
had caused the change of land-use in major cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzen and turned these
cities into big, modern and sophisticated cities. Urban development had expanded rapidly due to the
formation of development zones such as industrial, business and housing zones. Following this
expansion, land-use in the “urban village” was changed. The current “urban village” population in China
had built multi-story dwellings of two to seven stories high .

Urban development in Malaysia has formed “urban village” settlement areas such as traditional
villages, new villages, planned villages and re-settlement areas. The population is the legitimate

population that has its land ownership rights, regardless of whether it is freehold, 99-year leasehold or

temporary ownership. It has formed its own community through groups in their locality. Most of the

foundation structures in the “urban village” area have their own structure and are seldom influenced by

surrounding cultures and traditions.

Social Environment
Urban development has a direct effect on the “urban village” population’s social environment. It has

caused population migration from suburban areas to explore the opportunities in the city. This then

causes the urban social structure to be combined and saturated .

Urban development in China had caused the “urban village” area to be inhabited by migrants to lease

homes from the original “urban village” population since the lease rates are cheaper there compared to
the urban areas. This inevitably had caused other issues such as prostitution and security.

Local culture and tradition has a significant influence in moulding social identity. It also

consolidates a community to continue to withstand and form the capability to confront environmental

changes . A study by Mohd Yusof et al. (2011) in an “urban village” in Alor Setar,

Kedah had found that reciprocal visitations, communal work during special occasions as well as

attending religious classes were important factors that determined the well-being of the “urban village”

population. This shows that although the “urban village” is located within a constantly changing urban

environment, elements such as culture and tradition still play a major role in determining the well-being

of the “urban village” population. Hence, these elements are important characteristics that define the

“urban village” population.

In Malaysia, there are two lower level organizational structures, namely the Village Security

Working Committee (VCWC) and the Mosque Parish System (MPS). The Chairperson appointed by

the state authorities or federal government heads the VCWC. Meanwhile, the imam (head of the
mosque) in the parish appointed by the district religious office heads the parish system. Both these
institutions play an important role in ensuring the stability and well-being of the village. Nevertheless,
the VCWC’s role is more dominating in the “urban village” areas, which is then followed by the role of
the imam or surau chairperson.
In China, the landowner heads the organizational structure of the “urban village” area. He has the

right to decide on all aspects related to the welfare of the “urban village” inhabitants, who mainly

consisted of migrants. Meanwhile, the local authorities are responsible over the landowner in the
“urban village” area by introducing legislation that protects the interests of the landowner in that area.
The landowner has collective power together with the authorities and other landowners.

Economic Environment
The “urban village’s’” economic environment plays an important role in highlighting the conceptual

definition of an “urban village”. Land ownership, land status and the “urban village” population’s socio

economic activities are three important aspects regularly discussed in order to help the researcher

understand the “urban village” concept. The “urban village” population has a legitimate title on the land
or dwelling in which they live. The former government policy was to give ownership to the population in
the “urban village” area. There are three forms of land ownership or titles that have been identified in
the “urban village” area, namely permanent titles, 99-year lease as well as temporary titles. This is given
based on the position, purpose and location of the settlement.

As for the Malay Reserve areas, many had received permanent titles, while those in the new villages
had received a 99-year lease or temporary titles and those in the re-settlement areas received
permanent titles.

The status of the land in most “urban village” areas in Malaysia has been changed to ‘development’

because of the zone widening policy introduced by the local authorities and state governments. This

meant that the property in the “urban village” was solely for development projects (Malaysia, 2010).

This development had attracted the interest of investors and developers to buy several “urban village”

areas for development projects that were thought to give good returns to the “urban village”
population.

Thus, this had caused some “urban village” inhabitants, either forcibly or voluntarily, to sell their

property to interested parties in order to reap huge profits due to escalating property prices.

This situation had caused the “urban village” population to abandon agriculture and livestock rearing

activities and instead to work arduously to adapt themselves to the urban environment. The effect of

urban development had forced some of them, either voluntarily or involuntarily, to open up businesses,

find other employment, move out, rent rooms etc.