Wicked Problems

Address the types of wicked problems that people who live in modern cities experience

Urban Poverty

Figure 1: Kuala Lumpur (Yeap, 2020)

Badr Abduldaim - TP074644

Problem Definition

Urban poverty refers to the set of economic and social difficulties that are found in industrialized cities and that are the result of a combination of processes such as: the establishment of comfortable living standards, the increase of individualism, processes of social fragmentation, and the dualization of the labor market, which translates into social dualization. (Cano-Hila, 2020)

according to Rowntree 1901, but also in the Global South, in accordance with Mitlin and satterthwaite 2012. "Social researchers and scientists have traditionally addressed the definition of poverty using two concepts: absolute poverty and relative poverty."(Cano-Hila, 2020)

Excessive urban growth in general and concentration of people and economic activities in the large urban areas will lead to not only increasing urban diseconomies and escalating social costs (Johan & Baldev, 1989) but also resulting in uneven distribution of development benefits between urban centers as well as between urban‐rural areas. (Siwar, 1997)

Table 1: Respondent demographics (Alias, 2023)

figure,2 summarizes the demographic profile of the respondents. The majority of respondents were over 61  years of aged, which is 36.5 percent of all  respondents because most of  the PPR  was founded over 60  years of  age. 52.3 percent  of the  respondents were  Malays, 28  percent were Chinese, and 19.5 percent were Indians. Marital status shows 10.8 percent were single, 71.8 percent were  married  and  18  percent  were  others,  which  are  widows,  widowers  and  divorced.(Alias, 2023)

References:

 Alias, N.F. & Che Sulaiman, N.F. (2023). The social resilience of urban poverty toward quality of life         in Kuala Lumpur. Journal of Economics and Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.32890/jes2023.5.2.3

Cano-Hila, A. B. (2020, OCTOBER 15). Urban Poverty. Retrieved from oxfordbibliographies: https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780190922481/obo-9780190922481-

Siwar, C. a. (1997, December 1). Urban development and urban poverty in Malaysia. Retrieved from emerald insight: https://www-emerald-com.ezproxy.apu.edu.my/insight/content/doi/10.1108/03068299710193958/full/html

Yeap, C. (1 November, 2020). It just takes RM900 a month to lift urban poor out of absolute poverty. Retrieved from The Edge Malaysia: https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/it-just-takes-rm900-month-lift-urban-poor-out-absolute-poverty

Ahmed Jinan Ali- TP075798

User Persona

Sarah is an urban single mother of two children. She struggles to support her family while working two jobs to make ends meet. She frequently has to pick between buying groceries and paying her rent, despite her best efforts (Othman, Ali, Hussien, Abdullah, Ruslan, & Souad, 2021).

John John recently graduated from college and is having trouble finding employment in his field. He battles student loan debt and resides in a low-income area. He stands in for the increasing number of educated people who are impoverished in cities (Jargowsky, 2012).

Figure 2: Persona of Mark (Waller, 2023)

Maria is an immigrant who relocated to the city in pursuit of more favorable circumstances. However, it is very challenging for her to find steady work because of discrimination and language barriers. She is a living example of the difficulties immigrants encounter in cities (Jargowsky, 2012).

A middle-aged man named Michael Michael lost his job as a result of his business downsizing. He has become homeless as a result of his inability to obtain stable employment or any other income. According to Mussini et al. (2013), he stands for the problem of homelessness within urban poverty.

Lisa is an elderly person with a fixed income. She has trouble paying for other essentials like her medication. She is a representative of the senior citizenry living in urban poverty (Jargowsky, 2012).

References: 

Andreoli, F., Mussini, M., Prete, V., & Zoli, C. (2021). Urban poverty: Measurement theory and evidence from American cities. The Journal of Economic Inequality, 19(4), 599-642.

Jargowsky, P. (18 September, 2012). 13 Urban Poverty, Economic Segregation, and Urban Policy. Retrieved from Oxford Academic: https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/28314/chapter-abstract/215024067?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Othman, A., Ali, H. M., Hussien, S., Abdullah, M. A., Ruslan, N., & Souad, M. (2021). The Influence of Urban Poverty on Students’ Academic Optimism: Does Government Assistance Play a Role?. IIUM Journal of Educational Studies, 9(4), 37-57.

Waller, D. (3 August, 2023). Eliminating pressures of Homelessness; a UX Case study. Retrieved from Medium: https://123ita.medium.com/eliminating-pressures-of-homelessness-a-ux-case-study-c213c649ea77

Storyboard

Alfiansyah Max Bannatyne Clark - TP075566

Solution 

Tackling urban poverty in Malaysia is a multifaceted challenge that requires a combination of strategies and interventions. Whilst there is no single action that can solve this issue, here are three approaches that can be taken to help reduce urban poverty.

The creation of job opportunities and promotion of skill development. Urban poverty is often a result of unemployment or underemployment. Job training programmes, vocational education and support for small-scale entrepreneurship can empower individuals to improve their skills, making them more attractive to employers, similarly they may also encourage individuals to start their own businesses, both helping individuals improve their economic status. (Siwar & Kasim, 1997)

Another essential aspect that needs to be addressed is the shortage of affordable housing as it forces people to live in overcrowded, unsanitary, or unsafe conditions affection their physical and mental well-being. Creating adequate housing is a fundamental human right and without housing it creates a vulnerability that leads to a cycle of poverty for citizens. Initiatives such as low-cost housing programs, rent subsidies, and community-based housing projects can improve living conditions for the urban poor. (Doherty, 2024)

The final solution being discussed is the need for financial assistance programmes. Providing targeted financial support to vulnerable households can alleviate poverty. This includes direct cash transfers, food assistance, and healthcare subsidies. Social safety nets, such as conditional cash transfer programs, can help lift families out of poverty by addressing immediate needs. (Zailani, 2024)

References

Doherty, J. (6 May, 2024). Urban Poverty: Challenges and Solutions in City Environments. Gray Group International: https://www.graygroupintl.com/blog/urban-poverty#:~:text=Strategies%20for%20Alleviating%20Urban%20Poverty%201%20Economic%20Empowerment,...%204%20Public-Private%20Partnerships%20in%20Urban%20Development%20

Siwar, C., & Kasim, M. Y. (1997). Urban development and urban poverty in Malaysia. International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 24, 1524-1535. Emerald Insight: https://www-emerald-com.ezproxy.apu.edu.my/insight/content/doi/10.1108/03068299710193958/full/html

Zailani, S. (23 April, 2024). Solving Malaysia’s urbanisation, poverty conundrum. Twenty Two: https://twentytwo13.my/opinion/solving-malaysias-urbanisation-poverty-conundrum/