Topophobia Wanita dan Persekitaran Bandar: Satu Pendekatan Reruang (Women’s Topophobia and Urban Environments: A Spatial Approach)

Abstract

Unsafe urban environment creates human fear of places or topophobia. Women’s topophobia emerge partly by prejudices that reflected in their movement patterns in space. This article aims to identify the location and nature of women’s topophobia space in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur. A total of 391 women living in the study area were selected as respondents. The data on the space nature and location of topophobia was obtained through a field survey using questionnaire, and from points marked by the respondents on the Pantai Dalam based map. The topophobia location data was analyzed by using (GIS) while the nature of topophobia space data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (chi-squared test). Results showed that the nature of the most feared topophobia space is lonely or deserted condition (82.1%). This percentage overcome other topophobia spatial characteristics such as road / lane (68.5%), isolated area and rarely traversed by humans (58.8%) and the space filled of drug addicts roaming around (41.9%). Perception of the most respondents towards the safety level indicates that Pantai Dalam is less safe (54%). The chi-squared test found that there is a relationship between the perception of the level of safety with the option of staying in that particular area. This study gives specific images of women vulnerabilities in physical and social environment in Pantai Dalam. Hence, the authorities should plan and develop Pantai Dalam towards safe and livable city.

Keywords: Topophobia; urban environment; women; safe and livable; geographical information system

ABSTRAK

Persekitaran bandar yang tidak selamat mewujudkan perasaan takut manusia terhadap tempat atau topophobia. Topophobia wanita dibina sebahagiannya secara prejudis yang dicerminkan melalui pola pergerakan mereka di dalam ruang. Makalah ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti lokasi dan sifat ruang topophobia wanita di Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur. Seramai 391 orang wanita yang tinggal di kawasan kajian telah dipilih menjadi sampel kajian. Data sifat ruang dan lokasi topophobia diperoleh menerusi kaji selidik di lapangan menggunakan borang soal selidik dan berdasarkan titik yang ditandakan oleh responden pada peta dasar Pantai Dalam. Penganalisisan data lokasi topophobia dilaksanakan menggunakan Sistem Maklumat Geografi (GIS) manakala sifat ruang topophobia menggunakan statistik deskriptif dan inferensi (ujian khi kuasa dua). Hasil kajian menunjukkan sifat ruang topophobia yang paling ditakuti ialah berkeadaan sunyi atau lengang (82.1%). Peratusan ini mengatasi ciri-ciri ruang topophobia yang lain seperti jalan/lorong (68.5%), ruang terpencil dan jarang dilalui orang (58.8%) dan ruang yang diisi oleh penagih dadah berkeliaran (41.9%). Persepsi kebanyakan responden terhadap tahap keselamatan menunjukkan Pantai Dalam kurang selamat (54%). Ujian khi kuasa dua mendapati bahawa terdapat perhubungan antara persepsi tahap keselamatan dengan pilihan untuk tinggal di kawasan ini. Kajian ini memberi gambaran khusus tentang keterancaman wanita dalam persekitaran fizikal dan sosial di Pantai Dalam. Justeru, pihak berkuasa wajar merancang dan membangunkan semula Pantai Dalam ke arah bandar selamat dan berdaya huni.

Kata kunci: Topophobia; persekitaran bandar; wanita; selamat dan berdaya huni; sistem maklumat geografi