Hygiene Challenges in Old Public Housing: A Case Study of Rifle Range Flat, Penang

Authors

  • Wan Nur Rukiah Mohd Arshard Department of Built Environment Studies and Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Puteri Yuliana Samsudin Department of Built Environment Studies and Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
  • Wenny Arminda Department of Architecture, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, 35365 Lampung Selatan, Indonesia
  • Nurul ‘Ulyani Mohd Najib School of Technology & Engineering Science, Wawasan Open University, 10050 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22i2.1082

Keywords:

Old Public Housing, Hygiene, Maintenance , Quality Of Life, Satisfaction , Well-Being

Abstract

This exploratory study investigates hygiene conditions in the old public housing environment, with a focus on the Rifle Range Flats in Penang. The research aims to provide insights into the state of hygiene and the factors influencing it within this specific housing setting. Using a qualitative approach, including case study methodology and on-site observations, the study examines various aspects of hygiene, such as cleanliness, waste management, and resident perceptions. Initial findings highlight a complex interplay of factors affecting hygiene levels at the Rifle Range Flats. While residents express satisfaction with the routine rubbish collection conducted by management twice daily, concerns emerge regarding the organisation of stalls within the housing complex. Additional issues, such as pest control, ventilation, and water sanitation, are identified as critical areas for further investigation. This study's findings offer valuable implications for housing authorities and community stakeholders in developing targeted interventions to enhance hygiene standards and improve the overall well-being of residents in similar public housing settings.

Author Biographies

Wan Nur Rukiah Mohd Arshard, Department of Built Environment Studies and Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

Wan Nur Rukiah Mohd Arshard, PhD is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Built Studies and Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar, She received a Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Architecture in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2009). She also holds a Master's Degree in the Science of Housing (2011) and PhD in Architecture (Housing Design) (2019) from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her research interests in Housing design and built-environment are in the areas of human behavior and design in architecture. She can be reached through his email at wnrukiah@uitm.edu.my.

Puteri Yuliana Samsudin, Department of Built Environment Studies and Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia


Puteri Yuliana Samsudin, PhD is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Built Studies and Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Housing Building and Planning majoring in Town Planning at Universiti Sains Malaysia (2009). She also holds a Master's Degree in Planning (2011) and a PhD in Landscape Planning (2019) from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her research interests are tourism planning, place attachment, cultural landscape and community-based tourism. She can be reached through his email at puteriyuliana@uitm.edu.my.

Wenny Arminda, Department of Architecture, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, 35365 Lampung Selatan, Indonesia

Wenny Arminda, PhD is a Senior Lecturer at the Architecture Program, Department of Regional and Infrastructure Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, 35365, Lampung Selatan, Lampung, INDONESIA. She can be reached through his email at wenny.arminda@ar.itera.ac.id

Nurul ‘Ulyani Mohd Najib, School of Technology & Engineering Science, Wawasan Open University, 10050 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Nurul ‘Ulyani Mohd Najib, PhD belongs to the School of Technology and Engineering Science, Wawasan Open University, Malaysia. She has more than 10 years of research experience and has published numerous papers in the fields of student housing facilities and green construction such as in the Journal of Facilities Management, International Journal of Strategic Property Management, and Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. Her research interest is in the area of facilities management, post-occupancy evaluation, service quality performance, residential satisfaction, besides green and sustainable construction. She can be reached through her email at nurulubmn1@wou.edu.my.

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Published

01-07-2025

How to Cite

Mohd Arshard, W. N. R. ., Samsudin, P. Y. ., Arminda, W. ., & Mohd Najib, N. ‘Ulyani . (2025). Hygiene Challenges in Old Public Housing: A Case Study of Rifle Range Flat, Penang. Built Environment Journal, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22i2.1082

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2025): Built Environment Journal

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Wan Nur Rukiah Mohd Arshard, Puteri Yuliana Samsudin, Wenny Arminda, Nurul ‘Ulyani Mohd Najib

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