Urban Space, Belonging, and Inequality in Multi-Ethnic Housing Estates of Melaka, Malaysia

In multi-ethnic housing estates of Melaka, Malaysia, shared symbols of protection and representation mark urban spaces, reflecting the interplay between Malay political dominance and Chinese economic influence while marginalizing Indian communities. These estates, developed collaboratively by Chinese developers and Malay officials, house diverse institutions like religious sites and educational facilities, fostering a complex dynamic where Indians struggle to maintain unregistered temples despite interactions with other groups. The study reveals how these spatial practices embed identity schemata, shaping struggles for life-space among citizens—particularly Malaysians—and non-citizen students, such as Arabs and Africans. Ethnographic inquiry uncovered the social production of space as a site of both stability in religious institutions and persistent marginalization.

Daniels, T. P. (2010). Urban Space, Belonging, and Inequality in Multi-Ethnic Housing Estates of Melaka, Malaysia. Identities, 17(2-3), 176–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/10702891003734953