A Study on The Need for A Comprehensive  Guideline on Design

A STUDY ON THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE  GUIDELINE ON DESIGN AND PLANNING (QUALITY AND STANDARD) OF LOW-COST HOUSING FOR SHARP'AH COMPLIANCE

Prepared by:

Asst. Prof. Ar. Dr. Srazali Aripin

International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

ABSTRACT

The study was commissioned with an aim to envisage that the problems,  issues and challenges in the design and planning (i.e.  Quality and Standard) of Low-Cost Housing could be resolved from the Shari'ah perspective. In addition, the research would embark  on designing and developing a comprehensive guideline on Shari'ah compliance housing in terms of design and planning (aesthetic, privacy, space requirements, facilities and amenities) for the needy Rakyats.

The study endeavours to address the key question whether the current design and planning (aesthetic, privacy, space requirements, facilities and amenities) of the Low-Cost Housing (LCH) satisfies the needs and well-being of the households,  their families and others in terms of adequacy,  suitability, affordability and quality as well as in compliance to the Shari'ah.

The methodology for the study starts with the review of housing needs,  national  housing policy, development, Building By-Law, related documentation,  issues and challenges of Low-Cost Housing in Malaysia focussing on the design quality and standards. The review will also cover the body of knowledge of housing for Shari'ah compliance that lead to establish conceptual model on Shari'ah Compliance Indicators (SCI) for housing design & planning (with specific reference to Low-Cost Housing). Case studies have been adopted as a method of assessments, evaluations and analysis qualitatively and quantitatively of the existing house conditions whether or not the design and planning (Quality and Standard) of Low-Cost Housing is in accordance to Shari'ah compliance by means of questionnaire survey and field measurement of a typical house plan. Framework of Shari'ah compliance indicators were then established to develop a comprehensive guideline  on house design  and planning (quality and standard) with the validation process of expert panels.

The key findings show that majority of the low-income families have to endure staying in cramped and often unfavourable living conditions. Seven  key factors influencing the satisfaction of the occupants have been identified are (1)  size  (appropriate), (2) space, (3) materials used, (4) privacy towards modesty and humility,  (5) safety and security (6) cleanliness and health as well as (7) hospitality towards betterment of social and culture. The selected expert panels agreed that these factors could be the indicators for Shari'ah compliance in establishing a comprehensive guideline  on design and planning (Quality and Standard) of Low-Cost Housing in line with the objective of AI-Maqasid Shari'ah. These provisions are imperative for the physical and psychological requirements in the design and planning (Quality and Standard) of Low-Cost Housing.