Natural Amenities Preference in Condominium Selection Based on Real Estate Agent’s Perspective in Penang

Authors

  • Siti Maryam Abdul Wahab College of Built Environment, UiTM Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
  • Ernieza Suhana Mokhtar College of Built Environment, UiTM Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskanda
  • Mohd Hasrol Haffiz Aliasak College of Built Environment, UiTM Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskanda
  • Noradila Rusli Centre for Innovative Planning and Development, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
  • Nur Fatin Mohd Yusoff Nawawi Tie Liung, Property Consultants Sdn. Bhd., 10200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.6497

Keywords:

Natural Amenities, Condominium, Relative Importance Index, Penang

Abstract

The literature often discusses natural amenities in the context of tourism and recreation. Still, it gives less attention to their importance in choosing a place to live, which is crucial for enhancing the quality of life. This study aims to prioritise the natural amenities in Penang that attract residents. The research considers the perspectives of experienced real estate agents with extensive local property knowledge. Using a quantitative method, the study filtered about 60 questionnaires to determine the Relative Importance Index (RII) of natural amenities from the real estate agent's perspective, as it heavily influences condominium selection in Penang. The results show that the beach or sea is the most preferred natural amenity for a condominium in Penang, followed by lakes, natural forests, mountains or hills, and rivers. Additionally, the study utilises inter-correlation analysis to understand the strengths and directions of each preference and comprehend the relationship between them. The practical implications of these findings are significant for policymakers, offering valuable insights for creating sustainable development guidelines and policies to ensure a balance of fulfilling urban needs and maintaining environmental quality. For individuals interested in sustainable living and urban development in Penang, these findings provide a roadmap for making residential choices that align with market preference and contribute to the overall sustainability of the region.

Author Biographies

Siti Maryam Abdul Wahab, College of Built Environment, UiTM Perlis Branch, Arau Campus, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

Siti Maryam Abdul Wahab is currently a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kampus Arau, serving under the Faculty of Built Environment. She holds a Master of Science in Geographic Information Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a Bachelor of Engineering (Geomatics) with Honours (Second Upper) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai. Her research interests focus on spatial analysis, property valuation using geospatial data, and sustainability in residential planning. Her recent works include studies on hedonic pricing models for house preference, sustainable site suitability using the Analytical Hierarchy Process, and bibliometric analysis of spatial econometric applications in property valuation. She has also explored the role of traditional archery in enhancing family well-being and health. Her research has been published in several academic journals such as Planning Malaysia Journal and International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences. She can be contacted via email at sitimaryam@uitm.edu.my.

Ernieza Suhana Mokhtar, College of Built Environment, UiTM Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskanda

Ernieza Suhana Mokhtar, PhD is currently a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kampus Sri Iskandar, under the Faculty of Built Environment. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Geospatial Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia, a Master of Science in Built Environment, a Bachelor of Surveying Science and Geomatics (Hons), and a Diploma in Geomatics Science, all from Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam. Her research encompasses geospatial applications in environmental assessment, urban studies, spatial econometrics, and geospatial learning innovations. Notable works include studies on urban flood susceptibility, water quality and phytoplankton analysis, housing preferences using the hedonic pricing model, and the development of the Geosirah learning tool that integrates geography and Sirah elements. Her publications have appeared in respected journals and proceedings such as the Journal of Environmental Management, Planning Malaysia Journal, and international conference proceedings. She can be contacted via email at ernieza@uitm.edu.my.

Mohd Hasrol Haffiz Aliasak, College of Built Environment, UiTM Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, 32610 Seri Iskanda

Mohd Hasrol Haffiz Aliasak, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kampus Sri Iskandar. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Development Science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, a Master of Science in Housing from Universiti Sains Malaysia, and both a Diploma and Bachelor's degree in Estate Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA. His research spans a wide range of topics including affordable housing, road infrastructure, property valuation, facilities management, and indigenous gender studies. He has contributed to notable projects funded under FRGS and MyRA grants, particularly focusing on indigenous feminism and housing development. His publications include works on spatial econometrics, sustainable affordable housing, facilities management in condominiums, and the relationship between infrastructure and housing affordability. His research has appeared in journals such as Planning Malaysia Journal and International Journal of Real Estate Studies. He can be reached via email at haffiz677@uitm.edu.my.

Noradila Rusli, Centre for Innovative Planning and Development, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

Gs. Dr. Noradila Rusli, is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). She obtained her B.Sc. in Geomatic Engineering in 2008, followed by a Master of Science and PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the same institution, completing her doctoral studies in 2015. Dr. Noradila exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging her strong technical background in GIS, remote sensing, and land surveying to advance research in urban and regional planning. Her work has been recognized through various awards and scholarships from both local and international bodies. She is an active member of the Institution of Geospatial and Remote Sensing Malaysia (IGRSM) and contributes to the Geospatial Research in Spatial Planning (GRiSP) group. Her current research interests include mobile application development, environmental GIS and remote sensing, UAV technology, and the integration of GIS with social behavior analysis. She can be contacted at noradila@utm.my.

Nur Fatin Mohd Yusoff, Nawawi Tie Liung, Property Consultants Sdn. Bhd., 10200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Nur Fatin Mohd Yusoff is a Probationary Estate Agent currently attached to Nawawi Tie Liung Property Consultants Sdn. Bhd. in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. She is actively involved in professional real estate practice, gaining hands-on experience in property valuation, consultancy, and estate agency. Her role supports the firm's operations in the northern region, contributing to client servicing, market research, and property transactions. Nur Fatin is committed to advancing her professional development within the Malaysian real estate industry.

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Published

27-06-2025

How to Cite

Abdul Wahab, S. M. ., Mokhtar, E. S. ., Aliasak, M. H. H. ., Rusli, N. ., & Mohd Yusoff, N. F. . (2025). Natural Amenities Preference in Condominium Selection Based on Real Estate Agent’s Perspective in Penang. Built Environment Journal, 22(SI). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v22iSI.6497

Issue

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

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Siti Maryam Abdul Wahab; Ernieza Suhana Mokhtar, Mohd Hasrol Haffiz Aliasak, Noradila Rusli, Nur Fatin Mohd Yusoff

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