Designing Affordable Urban Ecosystems: A Quantitative Model to Enhance the Quality of Life for the Urban Poor in Malaysia Through Employment, Housing, and Digital Access

Urban poverty remains a critical challenge globally, with Malaysia serving as a prominent example of the pervasive struggles faced by the urban poor. These populations are particularly burdened by unaffordable housing, limited access to stable employment opportunities, and inadequate digital and public services. Despite the implementation of policies such as the National Housing Policy and the National Urbanization Policy, these issues persist, exacerbated by the escalating costs of living and the lack of effective support systems. This study presents a comprehensive model aimed at improving the urban poor's quality of life (QOL) in Malaysia by integrating key elements of sustainable urban development. A quantitative research methodology was employed to collect data, focusing on the critical factors of employment, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and digital access. The findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to urban poverty alleviation, which prioritizes the availability of affordable housing located near essential amenities, coupled with reliable transportation, accessible healthcare, and educational services. Furthermore, it was identified that community participation plays a pivotal role in enhancing housing outcomes, with increased engagement linked to better planning and the development of more inclusive and livable urban environments. Key contributors to improved housing participation (HP) were found to include the provision of affordable housing (AH), the development of accessible transportation systems (AT), the availability of essential facilities (AF), environmental initiatives (EI), and heightened public awareness (AD). These factors collectively demonstrate that improvements in infrastructure, access to essential services, and community involvement are critical to achieving sustainable urban development. This model offers a framework that can be applied not only in Malaysia but also in other urban contexts globally, providing a pathway to reduce urban poverty and improve the well-being of urban populations.