Page 726 - Proceedings Collega2023

Introduction

The rudiment for assessing the concept of social capital is based on relationships that influence
both the quantity and quality of social interaction in a society and enhance over time to improve the way
their needs are met. These interactions are so essential that they are an inseparable part of human life,
resulting to be more intricate dimensions of relationships. This concept was perceived in the social
sciences as: (1) resources and the value of these resources, tangible (social spaces, private property) and
intangible (people), (2) the relationships between these resources and (3) the influence of these
relationships has on the resources involved in each connection (Yusuf, Yusuf & Yusuf, 2018; Habibi, Taoshih
& Pira, 2022). One of the prominent scholars’, Putnam (1995), who conducted a study on this subject,
described social capital as the aspects of social life such as networks, norms and beliefs that allow each
social actor to collaborate more effectively to achieve the collective goals.

Social capital is considered in the context of this study as an important framework of social fabric
that prioritises obligations, reciprocity and a profound grasp of a community's social connectedness,
leading to sustainable living and the wellbeing of its communities. The idea is not only seen as a crucial
tool for creating a social network in a typical settlement, but it also has the potential to be useful for the
enhancement of social sustainability and maintaining local identity, particularly in traditional settlements.
Murzyn-Kupisz (2013) and Moayedi & Khairuddin (2014) corroborated this idea, as the strength of social
capital was heavily determined by the quality and density of social fabrics, connectedness, integration and
involvement of the communities in a traditional settlement.

In this notion, traditional settlements reflect the local identity based on the characteristics of the
physical environment, which includes social spaces that are distinct and hold significant value in
comparison to other settings. The spaces serve not just for social purposes but also have indirect positive
impacts on the environment and the economy, suggesting social sustainability (Rakhshandehroo et al.,
2015) as they are extensively utilised as venues for communal gatherings and the contemplation of
religious as well as political matters (Ariffin, 2007). Such activities promote community interaction and
cooperation, which eventually strengthens shared values of the local identity including trust, reciprocity
and altruism.

Nevertheless, the presence of traditional settlements near urban areas is considered fragile due
to unregulated modernization, which poses a substantial threat to the physical environment. This could
potentially result in the loss of social spaces that have played a crucial role in maintaining social capital
over time. An illustration of the impact of the coastal reclamation project in Seberang Takir Village can be
observed through the notable transformation of its physical environment (Nor Zalina, Nur ‘Adilah &
Noordeyana, 2020). As a result of the demolition of the area that served as the community's social space
prior to the construction of the Corniche Road, the significance of the local community's ability to engage
with one another is diminishing.

By highlighting the merits of social spaces and their contribution to the sustainability of social
capital, this study aims to strengthen the preservation effort of traditional communities. This study also
aims to explore the connections between social spaces and the sustainability of social capital in Kampung
Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 713 -