GROWTH OF URBAN TOWNS IN MALAYSIA
Abdul Rahman Hasan1 and Prema Letha Nair2
Abstract
Malaysia has experienced an astounding growth of urban towns since its formation in 1963.
The shift from agricultural to an industrial based economy has inevitably led to rapid physical,
social and economic changes. The impact of urban spatial transformation accentuated the
growth in the number of urban towns; urban centres increasing in size and expansion of major
towns outwards to sprawl into peripheries. This paper highlights the growth of urban towns in
Malaysia based on the data available from the 1970, 1980, 1991, 2000 and 2010 Population
and Housing Censuses. The data reveals a surge of growth in number from 72 towns in 1980
to 228 towns in 2010. The increase in the growth of urban centres and the urbanization
process is the result of spatial transformation, demographic phenomenon and various
government measures for a measureable balanced development.
Keywords: Growth of urban centres, urbanization, spatial and demographic, government
measures.
1 Abdul
Rahman bin Hasan, currently the Chief Statistician Malaysia, Department of Statistics Malaysia.
2 Prema
Letha Nair currently Principal Assistant Director, Population and Demography Statistics Division.