world happiness index : malaysia's initiative with local authorities

W O R L D T O W N P L A N N I N G D A Y 2 0 1 2 : G R E E N C I T I E S H A P P Y C O M M U N I T I E S

DR.DAHLIA ROSLY & DR. AZMIZAM ABDUL RASHID



INTRODUCTION

URBANIZATION, CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

Cities as engine of economic growth

Cities as an impetus to high income economy

Urban Quality of life

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Communities

What are the indicators of well-being

2



SUSTAINABLE CITIES, LIVEABLE CITIES

• “A liveable city is one that through good planning, provides a vibrant, attractive and secure environment for people to live,work and play and encompasses good governance, a competitive economy, high quality of living and environmental sustainability.” (Centre for Livable Cities, Singapore)

• “Liveability is concerned with the quality of space and the built environment. It is about how easy a place is to use and how safe it feels. It is about creating–and maintaining–a sense of place by creating an environment that is both inviting and enjoyable.” (UK Department of Communities and Local Government)

• “Unique combinations of amenity values (open space,design features,urban vegetation) : historic and cultural heritage; location: and intangibles such as character, landscape and sense of place” (New Zealand Ministry for the Environment)

•

3



SUSTAINABLE CITIES, LIVEABLE CITIES

Liveability – the state of an urban system that

contributes to the physical, social and mental

well being and personal development of all its

inhabitants.

About delightful and desirable urban spaces

that offer and reflect cultural and sacred

enrichment.

Key principles that give substance to this

theme are equity, dignity, accessibility,

conviviality, participation & community

empowerment.

Adapted from CitiesPLUS, 2003. A Sustainable Urban System: The Long-term Plan for Greater Vancouver

What is missing?

.

4



RANKINGS AND

MEASUREMENTS

Quality of Life Index

Liveability Index

Environmental Index

Sustainable Development

Indicators

etc 5



THE MALAYSIAN QUALITY OF LIFE INDEX

Source : Economic Planning Unit , Prime Minister Department 2011



LIVEABLE CITIES CRITERIA THE MERCER HUMAN RESOURCES SURVEY AND THE ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT - EIU

political and economic

stability

cultural vitality

threats of terrorism

crime rate

educational quality

health care

efficient infrastructure

recreational opportunities

traffic congestion

currency exchange regulations

political and media censorship

schools

housing

public safety

environment

level of corruption

climate conditions

entertainment

foods & cuisine

pollution

vibrancy

inflation

cost of living

public transportation

permeability and access

cleanliness

aesthetics / attractiveness

easy mobility

child friendly

common spaces as focus of

social life

no waste

jobs and employment

opportunities

inclusiveness (dialogue and

involvement of all)

diversity

mutual respect

clubs and leisure facilities

information

innovation – new technology

clean water

7



.........Government needs to work at not only increasing the

people's earning capacity, but also on making sure that

they are happy. Two yardsticks would be used to measure

national development the conventional method of looking

at the per capita income, and the happiness index of

people as well...... Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak 3 Sept 2012

8



Government Transformation Programme – GTP / ETP

(NKRA, NKEA, MKRA)

Vision 2020, New Economic Model,

Five Year Malaysia Plan,

National Physical Plan (NPP),

National Urban Policy (NUP),

Component policies

on use of land

and natural

resources.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

MSSDI

Competitive

Economy

Sustainable

Community Efficient

Infrastructure

and

Transport

Sustainable

Environmental

Quality

Optimum Use of

Land and Natural

Resources

Effective

Governance

DIMENSION

DIMENSION

DIMENSION

DIMENSION

DIMENSION

DIMENSION

MURNInets

2

3

4

5

6

1

9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coat_of_arms_of_Malaysia.png



S1 S5 S4 S3 S2 Efficient

Economic

Development and

Competitiveness

Empowerment

Optimum Use of

Land and

Natural

Resources

Balanced Regional

Development

(Infrastructure and

Transportation)

Improving the Quality of

Spatial, Environmental,

Safety and Physical

Diversity (Social /

Community)

Governance

Communications and

Provision of Infrastructure

Facilities and Community

Development

(Governance)

D1 Competitive

Economy

D2 Sustainable

Environmental

Quality

D3 Sustainable

Community

D4 Optimum Use of

Land & Natural

Resources

D5 Efficient

Transportation &

Infrastructure

D6 Effective

Governance

Themes Themes

Themes

Theme

s

Themes

Themes

No No

No

No

No

No

Economic

Growth 1

Poverty 2

Private

Investment

1

Total 4

Environmental

Quality 2

Risk

Management 1

Environmental

management 2

Total

5

Residential 1

Recreation and

Community

Facilities

1

Quality of Life 5

Security 1

Demography 1

Total

9

Changes in land

use

1

Municipal

development

3

Heritage

Preservation,

Agriculture &

Tourism

2

Total

6 Total

6 Total

6

Utility Efficiency 2

Solid Waste

Management 2

Transportation 1

Sewerage

Management 1

Delivery System 2

Strengthening

Institutions 2

Enforcement &

Monitoring 2

Total Overall Indicators = 36

SUMMARY LIST OF DIMENSIONS, THEMES AND INDICATORS MURNInets



SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

Government Transformation Programme – GTP / ETP

(NKRA, NKEA, MKRA)

MSSDI

Vision 2020, New Economic Model,

Five Year Malaysia Plan,

National Physical Plan (NPP),

National Urban Policy (NUP), Component

policies on use of land and natural

resources.

Sustainable Community

HAPPINESS

DIMENSION

MURNInets

2

3

4

5

6

1

11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coat_of_arms_of_Malaysia.png



12

1. Employment growth rate

2. Urban Poverty Rate

3. Poverty Rate

4. Growth rate of private investment

5. Cleanliness level of the River

6. Environmental Air Quality Conditions

7. Percentage of Population Living in Flood Prone Area

8. Percentage of per capita solid waste generation

9. Total programs / environmental campaigns carried

out in Local Authority area

10. Percentage of quality affordable housing units

11. Percent residential coverage within 400 meters of

community facilities

12. The ratio of cases relating to public nuisance

complaints per 10,000 population

13. The ratio of cases of water and vector borne diseases

per 10,000 population

14. Percentage of ‘Grade A” food premises

15. Percentage of ‘Grade A’ public toilets

16. The ratio of index crimes per 10,000 population

17. Dependency Ratio

18. The rate of change in land use from non-built-up to

built-up

19. The urbanization rate

20. The ratio of public open space per 1,000 population

21. Unsold residential properties

22. Percentage change in the forest area

23. The number of tourism attractions and recreation

center

24. Happiness Index

25. The volume of domestic water consumption per

capita.

26. Total electricity consumption (KW) per capita

27. Percentage of total waste recycled

28. Percentage of domestic solid waste collection on

schedule

29. Number of integrated public transport terminals /

stations

30. The percentage of homes with centralized sewerage

services

31. Residents' satisfaction level on Local Authority

services

32. Number of community programs implemented by

PBT

33. Percentage of PBT revenue collection performance

34. Percentage of total maintenance expenditure

compared to the overall Local Authority spending

35. Percentage of approved planning applications that

comply to the development plan / local plan

36. Number of enforcement operations executed

according to schedule, by PBT

MURNInets ( Malaysian Urban Rural National Indicators Network

for Sustainable Development) : 36 indicators



a. The state of happiness in the

world today shows how the new

science of happiness explains

personal and national variations

in happiness.

b. The report aims to evaluate

happiness level of 156 countries

based on a more comprehensive

measurement system that can be

used to inform policy-makers.

a. The rankings in the report were

based on a number called the

"life evaluation score," a

measurement takes into account

a variety of factors including

people's health, family and job

security.

A REVIEW OF WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2012

13



THE GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS INDEX OF BHUTAN

Constitution of Bhutan 2008 Article 9: The

State shall strive to promote those conditions that

will enable the pursuit of Gross National

Happiness.

4th King of Bhutan, 1972 “Gross National

Happiness is more important than Gross National

Product”

Legal code of 1729 “if the government cannot

create happiness for its people, then there is no

purpose for government to exist”

14



THE GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS INDEX OF BHUTAN - CRITERIA

1. ECONOMIC WELLNESS: measured by economic metrics such as

consumer debt, average income to consumer price index ratio and

income distribution;

2. ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS: measured by environmental metrics such

as pollution, noise and traffic;

3. PHYSICAL WELLNESS: measured by physical health metrics such as

obesity or severe illnesses;

4. MENTAL WELLNESS: measured by mental health metrics such as usage

of antidepressants, and rise or decline of psychotherapy patients;

5. WORKPLACE WELLNESS: measured by labour metrics such as jobless

claims, job change, workplace complaints and lawsuits;

6. SOCIAL WELLNESS: measured by social metrics such as discrimination,

safety, divorce rates, complaints of domestic conflict and family

lawsuits,crime rates;

7. POLITICAL WELLNESS: measured by political metrics such as the quality

of local democracy, individual freedom, and foreign conflicts. 15



HAPPINESS INDEX IN THAILAND Thailand has developed Green and Happiness Index (GHI) in 2007

1. GHI - evaluate the performance of national development

and the happiness of all Thais - as a result of the

paradigm shift from economic-led growth to human

development.

2. It consists of six components- health, warm and loving

family, community empowerment, economic strength

and equity, good quality environment and ecological

system, and democratic society and good governance.

3. Philosophy of feeling satisfied with what they have, and

not feeling that resources are never sufficient to meet

increasing desires - is the path to happiness and unity

of people 16



HAPPINESS INDEX IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

1. The UK government has started measuring people's

psychological and environmental well-being to achieve

a better understanding of how society is doing and to

assist coalition of policies in the future.

2. UK Happiness Index Study was launched on 25

November 2010

3. The key areas that matter most to people's well-being

are health, levels of education, local authorities

services, inequalities income and the environment.

4. The outcome of study assists in improving the quality

of life and happiness levels of the population.

17



a. UK Office for National

Statistics (ONS) has

published a detailed

subjective data exploring

how happiness of the

people in UK in 24 July

2012;

b. Responses by 165,000

people reveal the

average rating of "life

satisfaction" in Britain is

7.4 out of 10;

THE RESULTS..

18



WHAT PRODUCES HAPPINESS FOR PEOPLE IN THE CITY?

1. Basic conditions have to be in place and material needs have

to be met, i.e. the city has to have low corruption, safety and

jobs.

2. Commuting time; it was found that in the United States, people

who had to commute an hour each way to work and back had

lower levels of life satisfaction than those with shorter

commuting times.

3. The link between green space and happiness : green space

has been found to help people relax, to reduce stress levels,

and to help people concentrate better.

4. People also tend to look for cities with good jobs and a

stimulating intellectual climate.

5. Happy people are more likely to be good organisational

citizens. Happiness is good for the individual, city or country. 19



20



WHAT IS WELL-BEING?

21



SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING

PLEASANT EMOTIONS

JOY

CONTENTMENT

HAPPY

LOVE

UNPLEASANT EMOTION

SADNESS

ANGER

WORRY

STRESS

GLOBAL LIFE JUDGEMENTS

LIFE SATISFACTION

FULFILLMENT

MEANING

SUCCESS

DOMAIN SATISFACTION

MARRIAGE

WORK

HEALTH

LEISURE

Source :Ed Diener 2003 : The evolving concept of subjective well-being the multifaceted nature of happiness 22



WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

23



24



1Oth MP - THRUST

FOUR: IMPROVING

THE STANDARD AND

SUSTAINABILITY OF

QUALITY OF LIFE

- to create a caring

society and promote

community well-being.

MALAYSIA AND HAPPINESS INDEX

25



UNIVERSAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DOCTRINE CONCEIVED BY

THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING, MALAYSIA

in 1997 ALIGNS WITH HAPPINESS AND WELL-BEING.

C

E

JUSTICE, COMPASSION, RESPECT,

TRUSTWORTHINESS & CREDIBILITY, UNITY,

CONSCIOUS OF THE CREATOR, RESPECT FOR

PRIVACY, ENCOURAGING INTERACTION AND

ACQUAINTANCESHIP, PEACE & SECURITY,

RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS,

COOPERATION, MUTUAL RESPECT, CONSULTATION,

CLEANILINESS & BEAUTY, PRESERVATION OF THE

ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE & EFFECTIVE USE OF

RESOURCES

1

2

3

4

5

UNIVERSAL PLANNING AND

DEVELOPMENT VALUES

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN

AND HIS FELLOW MAN

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN

AND HIS ENVIRONMENT E M

C M

M M

BALANCED RELATIONSHIPS

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

MAN AND HIS CREATOR



Vision

Mission

FDTCP VISION AND MISSION ON WELL-BEING

“A Leader in Town and Country Planning towards achieving a Quality and Sustainable Living Environment by 2020”

“To spur national physical planning through Implementation and monitoring of development plans which are systematic, comprehensive and innovative to ensure the well being of communities.

27



a. World Happiness Report 2012 Malaysia in 51st position

among 156 countries, the happiness factor was

measured in terms of gross national product or gross

domestic product.

b. Malaysia will strive to rank better in the world and Asia

Happiness Index besides aiming for higher economic

growth by the year 2020.

c. The aim was in line with the national transformation

agenda turn Malaysia into a high-income economy as

well as taking into consideration the happiness

ranking.

MALAYSIA AND HAPPINESS INDEX

28



a. Combine the best of what’s happening in terms of well-

being measurement locally and nationally, engaging

grassroots action to engage, enable and motivate positive

change;

b. Provide more meaningful measurement of progress which

allows real and impactful dialogue between activity in

communities and local/national policy makers;

c. Provides a platform for the many bodies measuring well-

being to collaborate across different sectors, approaches

and objectives with a shared purpose of city-scale change;

and

d. Enable and inspire ordinary people in measuring their own

and their community’s development in terms they

understand, via methods they enjoy and with practical

outcomes that are meaningful and helpful in their lives

THE USEFULNESS OF HAPPINESS INDEX

29



30



31

CRONOLOGY OF HAPPINESS INDEX STUDY IN MALAYSIA YEAR DATE ACTIVITIES

2010

24-26 Aug Workshop on the Formulation of Malaysia Spatial Sustainable Development

Indicators(MSSDI) – Discussion on Gross Happiness Index of Bhutan

3 Nov Working Group Discussion of MSSDI – The incorporation of Happiness Index in

MSSDI

2011

12 Jan

The Intial Discussion of Modus Operandi on the Review of MURNInet & new indicators

including Happiness Index Study (under ‘Sustainable Communities/’Komuniti

Sejahtera” dimension)

3-4 April Workshop on MURNInet Review - New Indicators, boundary of data collection and the

justification of Happiness Index Study in the MURNInets framework.

19-27 July Meeting with 8 local authorities in Malaysia to test run data viability on new indicators

and piloting Happiness Index Study’s questionnaires

8 Oct

National Consultation Workshop with United Nations Conference On Sustainable

Development 2012 organised by Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister Department :

Paper on ‘Advancing the Sustainable Development Agenda through alighning Malaysia

Plans Policies and Happiness Index Study in MURNInets’

18 Oct

Meeting on Malaysia Sustainable Development Indicators – organised by Economic

Planning Unit, Prime Minister Department : Paper on The Review of MURNInet and

Happiness Index Study

2012

2 July Commencement the MURNInets’s data collection and survey on Happiness Index

Study involving 151 Local Authorities in Malaysia

15 Aug Cabinet Meeting No 19/2012 – A Review of MURNInet including Happiness Index

Study



MURNInets AND HAPPINESS INDEX 1. In the 10th Malaysia Plan, the Government has explicitly stated

the commitment to ensure high quality of life in urban and rural areas.

2. MURNInet has been implemented for more than 10 years and needs updating and review to new sustainability issues and changes in national development policies.

3. FDTCP is focal point for Malaysian Urban-Rural National Indicators Network for Sustainable Development (MURNInets) is now incorporating happiness indicators into the framework.

4. Happiness Index Study in MURNInets – involves primary data

collection jointly between local authorities and residents.

5. Among aspects taken into account : relationship interaction with family, neighbourhood and the community, living environment, safety, spirituality, the level of health facilities and the performance of local authority services.

32



THE ‘HAPPINESS INDEX’ QUESTIONNAIRE

LIKERT SCALE

UNHAPPY LESS HAPPY AVERAGE HAPPY HAPPIER

1 2 3 4 5

NO QUESTIONS

Q1 How do you rank your stress level?

Q2 Are you satisfied with your health?

Q3 How satisfied are you with your life partner and family?

Q4 Are you happy in your job?

Q5 Are you satisfied with your current monthly income?

Q6 Do you believe that religion or sprituality can bring you joy and happiness in your life?

Q7 Do you interact well with your neighbours?

Q8 Do you enjoy it when you get involved with community activities in your area?

Q9 Do you feel safe in your home?

Q10 Are you satisfied with the facilities provided in your neighbourhood?

Q11 Are you satisfied with services provided by local authorities in your area?

Q12 Are you satisfied with the service of the political representative in your area?

Q13 Are you happy with the quality of your living environment?

33



METHODOLOGY CATEGORY OF

LOCAL

AUTHORITIES

NO. OF LOCAL

AUTHORITIES

as at 22/10/2012

%

NO .OF LOCAL

AUTHORITIES

PARTICIPATE

% NO OF

SAMPLE

CITY COUNCIL 14 9.27 8 5.30 2,953

MUNICIPAL

COUNCIL 36 23.84 19 12.58 3.429

DISTRICT

COUNCIL 101 66.89 39 25.83 4,081

TOTAL 151 100 66 43.71 10,463

CLUSTER SAMPLING - the target population is spread across a geography.

a. Local Authority Council's Committee Members (MPP) - 24 MPP

1 MPP x 10 RA

a. Member Of Residents’ Associations (RA) – 1 RA – 50 members

sample 3% x 50 = 1.5 ~ 2 member x 10 RA x 24 MPP = 360 samples

34



ANALYSIS AND TECHNIQUES STATISTICAL PACKAGE FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

HAPPINESS INDEX = MEDIAN [ Q1+ Q1 + Q2 + Q3……Q13]

13 SUBCONTRUCT X 5 LEVEL OF HAPPINESS

x 100

HAPPINESS INDEX = 54

65

x 100

= 83.08%

HAPPINESS SCALE

HAPPY >80%

AVERAGE 41-79%

LESS HAPPY <40%

ORDINAL DATA

35



36



TRENDS IN HAPPINESS INDEX FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN MALAYSIA

37

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65

LOCAL AUTHORITIES



WHAT ARE THEY NOT HAPPY ABOUT – CITY COUNCIL? UNHAPPY LESS HAPPY AVERAGE HAPPY HAPPIER

Q1 STRESS LEVEL - 14.29% 85.71% - -

Q2 HEALTH CONDITION - - 14.29% 85.71% -

Q3 FAMILY RELATIONSHIP - - - 100% -

Q4 JOB - - 14.29% 85.71% -

Q5 MONTHLY INCOME - - 28.57% 71.43% -

Q6 RELIGION - - - 85.71% 14.29%

Q7 NEIGHBOURS INTERACTION - - - 100% -

Q8 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - - - 100% -

Q9 NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY - - 14.29% 85.71% -

Q10 PROVISION OF FACILITIES - - 57.14% 42.86% -

Q11 LOCAL AUTHORITIES - - 28.57% 71.43% -

Q12 ROLE OF POLITICAL

REPRESENTATIVE - - 57.14% 42.86% -

Q13 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - - 57.14% 42.86% -

LESS HAPPY AVERAGE HAPPY

1.10% 27.47 % 70.33% RESULTS

38



WHAT ARE THEY NOT HAPPY ABOUT – MUNICIPAL COUNCIL?

UNHAPPY LESS HAPPY AVERAGE HAPPY HAPPIER

Q1 STRESS LEVEL - 33.33% 55.56% 11.11% -


Q3 FAMILY RELATIONSHIP - - - 94.44% 5.56%

Q4 JOB - - 16.67% 100% -

Q5 MONTHLY INCOME - - 33.33% 66.67% -

Q6 RELIGION - - - 88.89% 11.11%

Q7 NEIGHBOURS INTERACTION - - 5.56% 94.44% -

Q8 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - - 11.11% 88.89% -






Q13 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - - 50% 50% -


2.56% 29.06 % 68.38% RESULTS

39



WHAT ARE THEY NOT HAPPY ABOUT – DISTRICT COUNCIL? UNHAPPY LESS HAPPY AVERAGE HAPPY HAPPIER

Q1 STRESS LEVEL 2.94% 23.53% 73.53% - -


Q3 FAMILY RELATIONSHIP - - - 85.29% 14.71

Q4 JOB - - - 100% -

Q5 MONTHLY INCOME - 2.94% 32.35% 64.71% -

Q6 RELIGION - - - 76.47% 23.53%

Q7 NEIGHBOURS INTERACTION - - - 97.06% 2.94%

Q8 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES - - 2.94% 97.06% -






Q13 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY - - 17.65% 82.35% -


0.87% 8.13 % 91.00% RESULTS

40



SOME POINTERS TOWARDS HAPPY COMMUNITIES a. Creating Happy Communities is all about bringing people together

and helping them share what they know about increasing happiness.

b. One of the main ways to promote well-being is to make people feel

valued as an individual and realise that they matter in the grand

scheme of things. Feeling valued creates a supportive atmosphere

and increases the likelihood of positive interaction at all levels.

c. More emphasis on the community and helping people to make

connections and build relationships locally.

d. Requires fundamental change in the way economic entities operate.

Instead of purely profit margins, greater attention needed on well-

being.

e. Working together to makes cities better, brighter and happier.

f. Urban and neighbourhood design to support and promote happiness

g. Local Authorities to identify activities and events to promote

happiness. Local Agenda 21 can be a platform. 41



CONCLUSION

1. Happiness is pre-requisite in Sustainable

Development and Sustainable Communities.

2. Happiness index as a framework for decision-

making and policy development.

3. Happiness index of the people provides

guidance to local authorities interested in

improving the level of well-being people.

4. Happiness through Neighbourhood Design

5. Promoting the business of being happy –

HAPPINOMICS

42



Federal Department of Town and Country Planning

Ministry of Housing and Local Government

www.townplan.gov.my

http://mytownnet.blogspot.com/

THANK YOU…….. “Happiness is the Business of Government”… Abigail Ross-Jackson 30/1/2011

http://www.townplan.gov.my/

world happiness index : malaysia's initiative with local authorities

Documents

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