Choice of dwelling: why squat?

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the reasons as what squatters move and maintain staying in squatters' area all around Kuching, Sarawak. This research is a two-way descriptive study. It develops both qualitative and quantitative measurements of the reasons as why these squatters move to squatters' area and maintain staying in squatters' area. The sample of study consist of those currently stay at some major squatters area in Kuching. The results of the research shows that factors for example lower cost of living, financial constrains and convenience were of the most significant factors that encourage those to move to squatters and maintain to stay there. It also shows that those squatters that move squatters' area basically are not satisfy with the offers and incentives provided by the government, influence by their own family and relatives to move to squatters and the fact that squatters are free. The study itself provides an in depth understanding of the factors that influence these squatters moving to squatters area and maintain to stay there. The discussion, implication and limitation are discussed in the following paper.