Urbanism, Space and Human Psychology: Value Change and Urbanization in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia is among the fast growing developing countries in the East. Since independence 1957, together with nationwide progress and development, the rapid urbanization took place and this led to a massive migration of people from rural villages to urban and newly growth areas. Soon these immigrants became urban dwellers. It is generally recognized that in any urbanization process, one of the most crucial setbacks is space. In fact space gives enormous impact on the values and attitudes of urban dwellers. This paper explores the relations between urbanism and the psychological and the spatial issues in the context of urban themes; urban values and culture, social difference and spatial divisions, community and neighborhood, private and public space, gender and sexuality, experience and everyday practice that give significant psychological impacts on urban folks. Using urbanization in Malaysia as example, this paper draws on a range of debates on the question of physical space and urban life and the psyche of urban dwellers, bringing together academic perspectives with the observation and analysis of contemporary urban problems and issues. The discussion looks at how psychological and spatial relations give certain impacts and shape the value change among Malaysian urban folks.