PurposeStudies have shown that managing household solid waste from low-cost housing in urban and sub-urban communities is challenging, especially in developing countries and COVID-19 era. Previous research proved that the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies could be engaged to improve urban public services such as household solid waste. Thus, the study investigated 4IR role in improving low-cost housing solid waste management (LCHSWM) in the COVID-19 era across Malaysia's cities.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers selected four Malaysian cities (Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Putrajaya) to achieve the study's objectives via a qualitative research design. The study engaged forty experts through semi-structured virtual interviews. A thematic approach was used to analyse the collected data.FindingsFindings identified initial high implementation and maintenance costs, unwillingness to accept change, inadequate knowledge and skilled personnel to manage the operation, amongst others, as the perceived challenges facing 4IR technologies in managing low-cost housing solid waste across Malaysian cities in the COVID-19 era. Also, the study proffered measures to improve 4IR technologies usage.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to the perceived contributory challenges and proffered measures to improve 4IR technologies usage in managing LCHSW across Malaysian cities in the COVID-19 era.Practical implicationsProffered measures will stir policymakers and the political class (city councils) to start thinking of an all-inclusive approach to addressing the issue of LCHSW in the 21st century. As part of the practical implications, the possible outcome might enhance collaboration between the public and private sectors to better service delivery to mitigate environmental degradation.Originality/valueAs revealed in the review, there is a paucity of literature regarding digital technology's roles in mitigating LCHSW across Malaysian cities in the COVID-19 era.

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This paper attempts to describe some housing issues pertaining to religious and cultural practices in Malaysia. As a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, residential arrangements are used as a tool to achieve greater social and ethnic mix as envisioned by the government under the New Economic Policy and its Housing Policy. While the aim is for social integration among its population, living with people who do not share similar cultural and religious practices may cause problems too, especially that related to the use of space. This is especially true in urban housing areas where space is scarce and thus does not always cater to the residents' needs. Using a sample of 400 respondents from four urbanized areas of Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Johor Bahru, we try to understand the respondents' views about their neighbours' religious and cultural practices that differ from theirs. Our findings will be discussed within the framework of cultural acceptance and tolerance as well as to gauge whether the government's policy is translated well by the population.

House is considered as basic needs for everyone besides food, clothing, educational and medication needs. Owning a desired house is part of life achievement that ensures prosperous and productive way of living towards the society’s well-being. The increasing population, rapid urbanization process and vast economic growth have contributed to the development of the housing sector in Malaysia. Numerous efforts were introduced by the government to ensure stability of housing ownerships within the society. However, not much attention was given to cater the housing needs of middle-income society especially in urban areas. This article revisits the house ownership issues faced by middle-income urban society based on challenges to own a house, impacts due to inability to own a house, and suggestions to increase the ability to own a house. A qualitative study using in-depth interview was conducted involving 15 informants selected among the middle-income society. Penang was chosen due to rapid economic growth, population, and urbanization rate. Data were analysed via content analysis method to discover the multi-dimensional themes. Study results indicated several multi-dimensional themes in terms of challenges, impacts and suggestions related to the issues such as economy, social, geography, physical, infrastructure and housing policies. This study main implication is to highlight the importance of multi-dimensional perspectives in solving the house ownership among middle-income urban society. It will contribute to the improvement of housing policies that fulfil the real needs of this group in owning a house for the well-being of the society.