Pessimistic Impact of Abandoned Housing Projects on the Environment and Society

Abstract

Influx of people into cities has necessitated the need for the construction of more housing estates. Sadly, many of the housing projects were abandoned before completion. This paper presents findings on the effects generated by abandoned housing projects on the immediate surrounding environment and the inhabiting society at the neighbourhood. Sampling was made from thirty-six abandoned housing projects in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Studied data on social menace and environmental decadence around the uncompleted buildings were sourced through personnel visits and the data was concisely analyzed. Consequently, a prototype structure was erected in an open laboratory and then abandoned for six (6) years. Periodic observations ‘on’ and ‘around’ the structures were recorded throughout. Findings show that there is a mounting upsurge of environmental hazards as well as socio-economic crisis associated with uncompleted housing projects. The most devastating of these problems are debility to the provision of ‘shelter-for-all’, promotion of man made cities, monthly loan repayments to servicing banks by intended buyers, increase in social vices and subjection of human’s and animal’s health into jeopardy. This research could provide valuable guide to understanding the environmental hazards and socio-economic catastrophe normally caused by abandoned residential projects. The ability to improvise on the fly are fundamental, the capacity and willingness to adapt to changing conditions is key to project success.

Keywords:  Housing; Abandon project; Environment; Society, Rethink.