COMMUNITY PERCEPTION ON LAND-USE CHANGE IN VICINITY OF FLOOD DETENTION PONDS IN KUALA LUMPUR

Abstract

Escalating urban flash floods have become a critical socio-environmental crisis. The continuous conversion of natural, permeable landscapes into impervious urban surfaces such as asphalt and high-density concrete has drastically accelerated surface water runoff. This study aims to understand the community's knowledge, flood experiences, and the authority's response and planning around the flood detention pond area. The research methodology uses a structured survey format, ensuring the collection of standardised data that can be objectively compared across the various detention pond catchment areas. Analysis shows that over 83.5% (mean = 3.28) of respondents observe intensive construction around detention basins, mirrored by an 82.7% (mean = 3.26) agreement rate that natural green buffers have diminished over the past five years. While residents expressed confidence in the physical safety (mean = 3.22) and routine upkeep (mean = 3.15) of local detention ponds, their trust declined significantly in the ponds' ability to prevent overflow during prolonged, multi-day rainfall. In addition, the community is not inherently opposed to development but instead requests sustainable planning that balances economic growth with rigorous environmental safeguards.