Residents' perception towards social interaction among Malaysian ethnic groups in urban park

Abstract

This study investigates properties of urban parks that contribute to social interaction of three ethnicities within a small town in Malaysia. Malays, Chinese and Indians are the main ethnics of the country. The study used survey questionnaire to elicit social interaction, user activity, and quality setting of a park from 134 respondents in Batu Pahat town. The results show that Chinese used the parks more than the Malays and Indians because the Chinese felt that many of the park activities fit their needs. The Malays are concerned with moral mode of dressing to be active and social in the parks. The Indians were less attracted to the parks because they perceive that the park setting was not reflective of their cultural values. This means that properties of the park do not comprehensively accommodate the social values of different ethnic. Therefore, park planning for a multi-ethnic community should adhere to the users' cultural values.