Environmental Experiences of Malaysian adolescents in two neighbourhoods in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

This research has addressed gaps in knowledge relating to environmental experiences of Malaysian adolescents in two neighbourhoods in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This thesis discusses how the adolescents' experiences may differ from adults' assumptions and planning. The study begins by highlighting current issues relating to adolescents and urban open space planning and design in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Survey questionnaires were used as a research tool to reveal adolescents' time use and environmental experiences of their housing area, neighbourhood and the city. The time use not only revealed their activities but also places they liked or valued and their ideal housing neighbourhood environment. Time use data diaries and interviews were used to verify the data from the questionnaire and to seek more specific data of what they wanted from their outdoor environment. The findings of the research elucidate that there were both similarities and differences in Malaysian adolescents' use of their outdoor environment across different ethnic backgrounds, genders and ages. It is concluded that inadequacies existed in current Johor Bahru urban planning in addressing the needs of the adolescents. Furthermore, from this study, the Malaysian adolescents assigned attributes or specific criteria to the facilities and spaces they wanted within their housing area, neighbourhood and the city. The facilities and spaces they wanted were linked to their physical and social activities which they would like to do. The attributes assigned by the Malaysian adolescents are elements of play, variety, ambience, size, safety, fun and excitement, challenge, walkable, aesthetic and green, sociability, accessibility, intelligent and possessing affordances for sports activities. Based on the research findings, this study outlines recommendations for Malaysian housing and neighbourhood landscape in relation to adolescents' needs. Early consideration of adolescents' needs should be incorporated in the planning and design process. One of the recommendations should include providing opportunities for Malaysian adolescents' participation to determine their needs for facilities and spaces in housing area and the city during the planning and design stage.