THE movement-control order (MCO) means more than movement restriction. Our social lives are changing significantly due to our spatial dynamics, which are related to constant change, activity, or progress.

We are all now exposed to a scenario known as housing and spatial deprivation, as the spaces available now are limited and reach below basic requirements. Spatial deprivation will greatly affect those who live in high-rise housing, especially low-cost flats.

Low-cost flats, such as public housing, namely People’s Housing Projects (PPRs), have high occupancy density per hectare. Moreover, small sizes of between 530 and 650 sq ft lead to inconveniences during the period of movement-control.

The National Property Information Centre told us there are around 375,000 high-rise residential home units in Kuala Lumpur. Of these, almost 27% are flats or low-cost flats. A majority of low-income earners in Kuala Lumpur live in PPRs and public housing, managed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Most importantly, 42% of PPR residents have an average of four per household being children under 18.

This indicates that movement-control will greatly affect young people.

Almost 50% of PPR units in Kuala Lumpur have two or fewer bedrooms, with a total unit size of between 530 and 650 sq ft. By simple calculation, the personal space of each family member may be only 100 sq ft, without considering shared spaces such as the living room, kitchen and bathroom. Due to movement-control, activities in the home will increase. Learning activities are currently being affected, as schools, kindergartens and nurseries are closed. Hence, television watching activities are expected to increase. Watching too much television can be detrimental to physical and mental health.

Considering the spatial limitations of PPR dwellers, movement-control will greatly impact their lives. With communal spaces such as playgrounds, common areas, and libraries within their blocks are now restricted to control the spread of the virus, what choices are left? Even before this, 11 PPR neighbourhoods lacked playgrounds due to limited space.

There are opportunities to leverage television, such as the reinstatement of the Education Ministry’s TV Pendidikan. The government may propose alternative home games and indoor physical activities suitable for children. Parents should be given sufficient guides and advice. Soon, there will be a need for a study of the impact of spatial deprivation on children’s psychological states. This will enable mental health programmes to be designed and implemented promptly to help both children and their parents.

The serious impact of space deprivation on children’s mental health in low-cost flats is clear. It is expected the government and public consider policies and action plans to help these groups cope with space poverty throughout the movement-control period.

It must be acknowledged that spatial deprivation is not a problem that can be immediately resolved. The government’s intentions to develop low-cost flats with a minimum 850 feet per sq ft in the future is a very reasonable step toward reducing potential problems. – April 24, 2020.

* Urwah Saari reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.