Social impacts of Putrajaya New Town development on the original settlers: The case of the resettled households in Taman Permata, Dengkil, Selangor

New urban development undoubtedly has contributed to national economic and social progress. However, new town development has also brought some negative impacts vis-a-vis marginalization oforiginal settlers. This article discusses the social impact of development of Putrajaya on the original settlers with reference community of Taman Permata, Dengkil. The households who previously plantation workers have been resettled in the area for more than 10 years. Information collected through participation observations and interviews with the households involved together with secondary data, were analysed. The study found that these poor people of the resettlement scheme have undergone numerous and complex socioeconomic problems as a result of the forced migration. The households have to cope with various problems including inaccessibility to suitable employment opportunities, social services particularly education and public transportation. Above all, the community have lost the peaceful and serenity of estate life that they have lived for generations. Adapting to the new urban environment has been a serious challenge to the mostly poor and elderly households. They seriously felt that they have been neglected by the authorities concerned. Experience of people in Taman Permata, Dengkil can be a clear example of how urban development have resulted in the marginalisation of poor and less capable group of people