A framework of sustainable affordable housing (SAH) in Klang Valley area, Malaysia

The intersection of sustainability and housing affordability has become a global concern, highlighted by the United Nations' Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While Malaysia is committed to achieving these goals by 2030, there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding the application of sustainability principles within Affordable Housing Projects (AHPs), particularly in the Klang Valley area. This research aims to address this gap by developing a framework for Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) specifically tailored to the Klang Valley area in Malaysia. The objectives of this research are fourfold (1) to identify the dimensions of sustainable development and current sustainability practices within Affordable Housing Projects (AHPs) (2) to assess the level of implementation of sustainable development dimensions that shape the design and development of AHPs in the Klang Valley area, Malaysia (3) to analyse significant sustainable attributes (SA) for application within AHPs in the Klang Valley area to achieve Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) and lastly, (4) to develop and validate the Sustainable Affordable Housing (SAH) framework with the identified significant sustainable attributes (SA). Data for the study will be collected through multiple methods, including document analysis, semi-structured interviews with housing industry experts, case study observations of five affordable housing schemes, resident surveys distributed to AHP residents in Klang Valley, and validation sessions with industry experts. The findings will be analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as qualitative content analysis. The expected outcomes of this research include the development of an assessment checklist tool and a comprehensive SAH framework. These outcomes aim to advance sustainable affordable housing practices and inform current policies in the Klang Valley, while also serving as a foundation for further research and training in urban areas, contributing to the global effort of achieving the SDGs. The resulting framework and tools will provide practical guidance for AHP providers and policymakers, fostering the implementation of sustainable development dimensions in future affordable housing projects.