Latest news with #UnitedNationsHumanSettlementsProgramme
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Tiny homes for young urbanites draw criticism over livability
JAKARTA: The government's proposal to develop compact, subsidised housing for urban youth is facing growing criticism from both experts and potential occupants, who say the poor design and cramped living conditions of these 'mini houses' could jeopardise their inhabitants' physical and psychological well-being. The Public Housing and Settlements Ministry last week showcased two prototype units at Lippo Mall Nusantara in South Jakarta. The homes, which are slated for development in Jakarta and the surrounding cities of Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Tangerang in partnership with real estate giant Lippo Group, have a starting price of Rp 100 million (US$6,121) and can reach up to Rp 140 million, depending on location and size. The single-bedroom unit measures just 14 square metres and sits on a 25 sq m plot, featuring a living room and a bathroom, while the larger double-bedroom unit offers 23.4 sq m of floor space on a 26.3 sq m plot that includes a living room and two bathrooms. Each unit also comes with a carport nearly as large as the living area. 'These smaller homes aim to attract young people, particularly Gen Zers who wish to [live] closer to their workplace [in] minimalist and affordable homes in urban areas,' Urban Housing Director Sri Haryati said on Monday (June 16). However, critics say the mini houses fall far short of acceptable standards and could do more harm than good. Observers have noted that their design lacks basic features such as proper lighting and ventilation, key elements of livable housing. These compact units also appear to violate existing regulations. Under a 2023 decree of the Public Works and Housing Ministry, a subsidised house must occupy a 60-200 sq m plot and its minimum building area must cover 21 sq m. They also fail to meet the international standards of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), which require a living area of at least 30 sq m per house. 'This proposal represents a step backward in the fulfillment of the right to a decent home,' Tulus Abadi, chairman of the Indonesian Empowered Consumers Forum (FKBI), said in a statement received on Tuesday by The Jakarta Post. 'A house is not just a shelter. It is a space that supports physical health, emotional stability, family life and overall well-being.' Tulus added that such tiny homes were unsuited to long-term human habitation, as they did not have the capacity to accommodate the evolving needs of growing families. Eventually, their occupants might abandon them, leaving behind empty dwellings and deteriorating neighborhoods. The FKBI has urged the government to abandon its plan to build mini houses and instead focus on developing affordable, livable vertical housing, especially in space-constrained urban areas like Greater Jakarta. 'We don't need cheap homes that diminish the human spirit. We need decent housing that upholds dignity,' Tulus said. 'Don't chase the target of three million homes at the expense of basic human values.' A draft ministerial decree leaked at the beginning of June revealed a proposal to downsize subsidised homes from a minimum 60 sq m plot to just 25 sq m and a minimum 21 sq m building area to 18 sq m. Sri Haryati defended the proposed size reduction, saying it aimed to address the national housing backlog of 9.9 million units, 80 percent of which were in urban areas. The proposed downsizing was previously questioned by the public housing task force led by presidential adviser Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who is also the younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto. On Tuesday however, housing minister Maruarar 'Ara' Sirait said he had explained the plan to Hashim, whom he described as 'really helpful' to the programme. For Rahma, a university student who lives in Depok, owning such a tiny home is simply not viable. 'I saw the display [unit], and I couldn't even imagine stretching out comfortably in it,' she told the Post on Monday. Rahma added that she would rather spend more money to rent a larger space than live in something that could harm her physical and mental health. A 2024 survey by consulting firm Inventure Indonesia found that two out of three Gen Z respondents expressed pessimism about the prospect of buying a house in the next three years, citing soaring real estate prices as the biggest obstacle. Urban planning experts say the government's housing policy is driven by market logic rather than living needs. Anwar Basil Arifin, head of research at Menemukenali Project, a media platform focusing on urban advocacy, said the government should prioritise house designs that met health and safety standards that were also easy to navigate. Speaking on Sunday at the Jakarta Future Festival 2025, which ran from June 13 to 15 at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Anwar highlighted that the key to the city's housing strategy was transit-oriented development. 'Jakarta's housing crisis isn't just a market failure, it is a crisis of urban design and imagination,' he said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Tiny homes for young urbanites in Jakarta draw criticism over liveability
JAKARTA: The government's proposal to develop compact, subsidisd housing for urban youth is facing growing criticism from both experts and potential occupants, who say the poor design and cramped living conditions of these 'mini houses' could jeopardis their inhabitants' physical and psychological well-being. The Public Housing and Settlements Ministry last week showcased two prototype units at Lippo Mall Nusantara in South Jakarta. The homes, which are slated for development in Jakarta and the surrounding cities of Bekasi, Bogor, Depok and Tangerang in partnership with real estate giant Lippo Group, have a starting price of Rp 100 million (US$6,121) and can reach up to Rp 140 million, depending on location and size. The single-bedroom unit measures just 14 square metre (150sq ft) and sits on a 25sq m plot, featuring a living room and a bathroom, while the larger double-bedroom unit offers 23.4sq m of floor space on a 26.3sq m plot that includes a living room and two bathrooms. Each unit also comes with a carport nearly as large as the living area. 'These smaller homes aim to attract young people, particularly Gen Zers who wish to [live] closer to their workplace [in] minimalist and affordable homes in urban areas,' Urban Housing Director Sri Haryati said on Monday (June 16). However, critics say the mini houses fall far short of acceptable standards and could do more harm than good. Observers have noted that their design lacks basic features such as proper lighting and ventilation, key elements of liveable housing. These compact units also appear to violate existing regulations. Under a 2023 decree of the Public Works and Housing Ministry, a subsidised house must occupy a 60-200sq m plot and its minimum building area must cover 21sq m. They also fail to meet the international standards of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), which require a living area of at least 30sq m per house. 'This proposal represents a step backward in the fulfillment of the right to a decent home,' Tulus Abadi, chairman of the Indonesian Empowered Consumers Forum (FKBI), said in a statement received on Tuesday by The Jakarta Post. 'A house is not just a shelter. It is a space that supports physical health, emotional stability, family life and overall well-being.' Tulus added that such tiny homes were unsuited to long-term human habitation, as they did not have the capacity to accommodate the evolving needs of growing families. Eventually, their occupants might abandon them, leaving behind empty dwellings and deteriorating neighborhoods. The FKBI has urged the government to abandon its plan to build mini houses and instead focus on developing affordable, liveable vertical housing, especially in space-constrained urban areas like Greater Jakarta. 'We don't need cheap homes that diminish the human spirit. We need decent housing that upholds dignity,' Tulus said. 'Don't chase the target of three million homes at the expense of basic human values.' A draft ministerial decree leaked at the beginning of June revealed a proposal to downsize subsidized homes from a minimum 60sq m plot to just 25sq m and a minimum 21sq m building area to 18sq m. Sri Haryati defended the proposed size reduction, saying it aimed to address the national housing backlog of 9.9 million units, 80 per cent of which were in urban areas. The proposed downsizing was previously questioned by the public housing task force led by presidential adviser Hashim Djojohadikusumo, who is also the younger brother of President Prabowo Subianto. On Tuesday however, housing minister Maruarar 'Ara' Sirait said he had explained the plan to Hashim, whom he described as 'really helpful' to the programme. For Rahma, a university student who lives in Depok, owning such a tiny home is simply not viable. 'I saw the display [unit], and I couldn't even imagine stretching out comfortably in it,' she told the Post on Monday. Rahma added that she would rather spend more money to rent a larger space than live in something that could harm her physical and mental health. A 2024 survey by consulting firm Inventure Indonesia found that two out of three Gen Z respondents expressed pessimism about the prospect of buying a house in the next three years, citing soaring real estate prices as the biggest obstacle. Urban planning experts say the government's housing policy is driven by market logic rather than living needs. Anwar Basil Arifin, head of research at Menemukenali Project, a media platform focusing on urban advocacy, said the government should prioritise house designs that met health and safety standards that were also easy to navigate. Speaking on Sunday at the Jakarta Future Festival 2025, which ran from June 13 to 15 at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Anwar highlighted that the key to the city's housing strategy was transit-oriented development. 'Jakarta's housing crisis isn't just a market failure, it is a crisis of urban design and imagination,' he said. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia emerges as Southeast Asia's top destination for tourism and investment: Nga Kor Ming
PUTRAJAYA: Housing and Local Government Minister, Nga Kor Ming, announced that Malaysia is a rising star in the Southeast Asia region by emerging as a leading destination for both foreign direct investment (FDI) and tourism globally. Nga, who was recently elected President of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly, said this achievement reflects the Madani government's commitment to good governance, investor-friendly policies, and strong international diplomacy. 'From easing visa regulations to deepening diplomatic ties, the Madani government is paving the way for Malaysia's global recognition,' he said. Nga said that Malaysia was recently ranked the third most attractive destination for FDI globally in the newly released 2025 Baseline Profitability Index (BPI), trailing only India and Rwanda. 'Regionally, Malaysia leads Southeast Asia, outpacing peers such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines,' he added. The BPI, developed by economist Daniel Altman, evaluates 100 countries based on their potential for profit generation, value preservation, and capital repatriation over a five-year horizon. In another significant development, Malaysia has overtaken Thailand as Asean's most visited tourist destination in the first quarter of 2025, according to Vietnam Express. The report, citing official data from several Asean nations, revealed that Malaysia welcomed over 10.1 million foreign tourists from January to March this year. Thailand came in second with 9.55 million visitors, followed by Vietnam and Singapore with 6 million and 4.31 million arrivals, respectively. Nga further highlighted Malaysia's recent appointment as the President of the UN-Habitat General Assembly, calling it a timely recognition of the country's leadership in sustainable urban development. 'This role positions Malaysia to deepen international cooperation and expand our influence on the global stage,' he said. 'As Malaysia rises on the global stage, it is crucial that we maintain our momentum to uphold investor confidence and ensure continued political and economic stability,' the minister added. Last month, Malaysia was elected President of the UN-Habitat General Assembly for the 2026–2029 term. The appointment, received Nga, marks a historic milestone as Malaysia assumes the presidency from Mexico, which represented Latin America and the Caribbean in the previous term. Malaysia will also serve on the UN-Habitat Executive Board for the same term, jointly with the United Arab Emirates, representing the Asia-Pacific region. 'We take on this role as president together with our esteemed colleagues from the United Arab Emirates. The shared commitment symbolises regional solidarity and dedication to urban sustainability,' said Nga in his acceptance speech. The minister described the appointment as a significant recognition of Malaysia's commitment to sustainable urban development, including its progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, with 53% of indicators already being tracked at the local level. 'This is a shared glory for all Malaysians. In co-presidency with the UAE, we stand ready to lead with integrity, inclusivity and dedication to the principles of the United Nations,' he said. The UN-Habitat Assembly is the UN's highest decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements. Convening every four years, it sets key priorities for UN-Habitat's work. The agency operates in over 70 countries focusing on areas such as urban legislation, land and governance, urban planning and design, basic services, slum upgrading, housing and disaster recovery.
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia Tops Southeast Asia for Tourism & Investment: Minister
PUTRAJAYA: Housing and Local Government Minister, Nga Kor Ming, announced that Malaysia is a rising star in the Southeast Asia region by emerging as a leading destination for both foreign direct investment (FDI) and tourism globally. Nga, who was recently elected President of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly, said this achievement reflects the Madani government's commitment to good governance, investor-friendly policies, and strong international diplomacy. 'From easing visa regulations to deepening diplomatic ties, the Madani government is paving the way for Malaysia's global recognition,' he said. Nga said that Malaysia was recently ranked the third most attractive destination for FDI globally in the newly released 2025 Baseline Profitability Index (BPI), trailing only India and Rwanda. 'Regionally, Malaysia leads Southeast Asia, outpacing peers such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines,' he added. The BPI, developed by economist Daniel Altman, evaluates 100 countries based on their potential for profit generation, value preservation, and capital repatriation over a five-year horizon. In another significant development, Malaysia has overtaken Thailand as Asean's most visited tourist destination in the first quarter of 2025, according to Vietnam Express. The report, citing official data from several Asean nations, revealed that Malaysia welcomed over 10.1 million foreign tourists from January to March this year. Thailand came in second with 9.55 million visitors, followed by Vietnam and Singapore with 6 million and 4.31 million arrivals, respectively. Nga further highlighted Malaysia's recent appointment as the President of the UN-Habitat General Assembly, calling it a timely recognition of the country's leadership in sustainable urban development. 'This role positions Malaysia to deepen international cooperation and expand our influence on the global stage,' he said. 'As Malaysia rises on the global stage, it is crucial that we maintain our momentum to uphold investor confidence and ensure continued political and economic stability,' the minister added. Last month, Malaysia was elected President of the UN-Habitat General Assembly for the 2026–2029 term. The appointment, received Nga, marks a historic milestone as Malaysia assumes the presidency from Mexico, which represented Latin America and the Caribbean in the previous term. Malaysia will also serve on the UN-Habitat Executive Board for the same term, jointly with the United Arab Emirates, representing the Asia-Pacific region. 'We take on this role as president together with our esteemed colleagues from the United Arab Emirates. The shared commitment symbolises regional solidarity and dedication to urban sustainability,' said Nga in his acceptance speech. The minister described the appointment as a significant recognition of Malaysia's commitment to sustainable urban development, including its progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, with 53% of indicators already being tracked at the local level. 'This is a shared glory for all Malaysians. In co-presidency with the UAE, we stand ready to lead with integrity, inclusivity and dedication to the principles of the United Nations,' he said. The UN-Habitat Assembly is the UN's highest decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements. Convening every four years, it sets key priorities for UN-Habitat's work. The agency operates in over 70 countries focusing on areas such as urban legislation, land and governance, urban planning and design, basic services, slum upgrading, housing and disaster recovery.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia prepares to assume UN-Habitat presidency, eyes broader urban development role
PUTRAJAYA: As Malaysia prepares to assume the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2025–2029 term, the government aims to leverage this role to deepen international cooperation and promote sustainable urban planning practices both domestically and abroad. In a statement today, the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) said the appointment is expected to create opportunities for strategic partnerships, enhance Malaysia's participation in global urban policy discussions and support more coordinated efforts to address urban challenges. 'This is the first time Malaysia will hold the presidency of the UN's highest urban development platform, marking a significant international recognition of the country's commitment to advancing the global urban development agenda,' the statement said. KPKT added that the role aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which focuses on building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. During this term, Malaysia will serve as president and hold a seat on the Executive Board alongside the United Arab Emirates, jointly representing the Asia-Pacific region. Upon his return from Nairobi, Kenya, where the election was held during the recent UN-Habitat Assembly, Minister Nga Kor Ming was welcomed by ministry staff in a brief gathering to mark the milestone. The ministry noted that this leadership role offers a platform to share Malaysia's experiences while also learning from international best practices. Nga expressed gratitude to the ministry and its agencies for their support in strengthening Malaysia's urban development policies and initiatives on the global stage, as well as for their efforts in developing frameworks that promote livable and sustainable urban spaces. 'This is not just KPKT's success, but a victory for all Malaysians. We will shoulder this responsibility together for the future of our cities,' Nga said.
