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The current paper aims to analyze the architectural genotype principle that considers the arrangement of spaces as an abstract relational model. The goal is to demonstrate that syntactic measurements show that spatial structures allow messages to be decoded in each dwelling's inner spaces' architecture. The research uses the justified graphic technique for spatial syntax. Twelve detached houses have been randomly selected out of a total of sixty-two contemporary buildings that were built in a subdivision of Setif between 1990 and 2010. The analysis findings showed that the spatial characteristics and properties that constitute the generic rule underlying the studied space can be detected. This research supports the notion that the implementation of the spatial syntax method can aid in the proposition of innovative solutions regarding the design of sustainable housing projects.

Housing precariousness is a current issue across all tenures in many urban centres globally. As a response, civilian-driven initiatives as well as scarce government-led examples have tried to address the problem. Still, these are yet to be acknowledged as viable alternatives supported by legislation and trusted by prospective occupants. This article maps the potential of environmentally and socially sustainable housing options based on the group-build (Baugruppen) model in Australia. A case study was conducted to detect the role contemporary socio-spatial tensions together with urban and environmental unsustainability play in creating housing precariousness. As part of it, the possibility of a housing shift grounded in the group-build (Baugruppen) model was explored by looking into a prospective project in Queensland and completed projects in Victoria. The findings of the case study demonstrated that the existing housing model is contributing to conditions of spatial injustice and urban unsustainability. Additionally, they revealed the limited feasibility of a paradigm shift.

As global livability rankings gain press attention and powerful influence with policy makers, we need an expanded critical debate on their context and problems. This essay narrates a brief history ...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the people’s perceptions of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia using Riyadh as a case study. Riyadh was chosen as a case study for two reasons: it is the capital city of Saudi Arabia and the largest city in the country; and there are no major differences between the characteristics of people in Riyadh and other major Saudi cities. Design/methodology/approach The questionnaire survey technique was used in this study to achieve the main purpose. The study used descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Science Software (SPSS) to analyze the data. Findings The findings reveal that there is a lack of people’s awareness about the sustainable housing. However, it shows a positive response regarding people’s willingness to live in sustainable housing in the future as well as to adjust their current houses to be more environmentally friendly houses. Research limitations/implications The thoughts of stakeholders who are involved in the housing field, including policymakers and real estate developers, are very significant, however, due to the time limitation it has not been explored in this study. Therefore, future research is recommended to investigate the opinions of different stakeholders to have better insights for delivering sustainable housing. Originality/value The study contributes to exploring the people’s perceptions of sustainable housing in Saudi Arabia using Riyadh as a case study. Only a few studies have discussed this issue, so this study was conducted to bridge this research gap and build upon the literature.

“Cohousing” is a collective housing model, which has the potential to offer socially and environmentally sustainable housing for a community. It is a collaborative housing concept designed to foster meaningful relationships, closer social bonding, and more efficient use of resources. This study aimed to examine the motivations of cohousing groups to create or enter a cohousing community in the UK and identify potential issues to improve future cohousing development. In total, 24 people participated in this study: 18 cohousing group members and 6 project architects. Interviews were conducted in eight cohousing communities in the UK. The results showed that the social aspect was the driving characteristic attracting people to a cohousing project. This study focused on social aspects related to cohousing, but environmental, financial, family, and health aspects were analyzed as well. Potential issues were identified based on the experiences of group members and the architects, which showed the concerns and obstacles experienced by cohousing group members. The findings of this study could be used as an evidence-based tool to enhance social engagement for the development of future cohousing communities and other collaborative residential facilities.

Housing performance has typically been governed by mandatory performance policies. There are examples of voluntary policies and programmes which have been introduced to augment mandatory requiremen...

The increasing demand for multifamily housing in the United States requires alternatives for building more affordable and sustainable housing to improve the quality of life for millions of families. Offsite construction (OSC) strategies may be a viable alternative for tackling this problem. Although the use of OSC is significant in the multifamily housing market in the world and it is also very promising in the US, a scarce amount of literature has focused on this topic. The purpose of this study is to identify specific factors that affect decisions on the use of OSC in multifamily housing in the US. Focusing on the sustainability dimensions of construction—social, environmental, and economic—the authors reviewed literature that was published between 2000 and 2019 and identified factors that are related to OSC adoption in general construction, in housing construction, and, more specifically, in multifamily housing construction in the US. Subsequently, a discussion on some important factors affecting decisions on the use of OSC in the American multifamily market is provided. The discussion focused on factors that, although important, have been under explored in the literature that addresses the use of OSC in multifamily projects, especially in the US, which are: customer’s attitude, building performance, and building comfort and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). In addition, a brief discussion regarding the importance of design to the uptake of OSC in multifamily projects is provided. This is one of the first studies dedicated to exploring the social, environmental, and economic factors that affect the use of OSC in multifamily housing in the US. The study also identifies research gaps, which serve as a roadmap for future research.

Mongolia is experiencing unprecedented urbanization along with recent economic growth. Ulaanbaatar is known to be the coldest capital in the world and heating demand is very high during the long winter season. Due to the increase of coal burning to provide heat, there is an urgent need to improve housing and to reduce energy use and air pollution. Currently, there is a revitalization of the Ger area of Mongolia and this presents a good opportunity to redevelop the region into an ecologically designed district with sustainable housing. Such a redesign will result in energy saving and air pollution reduction. With this goal in mind, a pilot project called Create Accord Living Environment (CALE), was developed to demonstrate living conditions with a new house design that is cost effective for Mongolia. This paper presents the house performance using an energy simulation and the results are correlated with measurement data taken during the wintertime. The average energy use intensity (EUI) for 5 CALE houses was found to be 112 kWh/m2/yr. This is a 71% energy savings compared to a typical detached house with a modern and efficient house design. If it is possible to redevelop 1000 houses in the Ger area, an estimated 6.5 kton/yr in carbon emission can be saved. In addition, a parametric study was conducted to investigate the impact of different construction materials, craftsmanship quality, and occupants' behavior on the house's energy efficiency. The proposed housing structures, which provide a comfortable living space with significantly reduced energy utilization, serves as a potential model for development both within Mongolia as well as for other similar climates.

Rental houses in Australia represent approximately one third of all homes, and this proportion has been growing over recent decades. However, the quality, comfort and environmental credentials of t...

Implementing policies for sustainability transitions calls for actors that translate policy aims into practical solutions. This is particularly important in cases where policies require the applica...

Wood is a complex hierarchical material. As a widely available renewable resource, it has been used throughout history to construct dwellings and transportation, tools, art and funerary objects. The desire to better understand cultural heritage and preserve it for future generations has long been a major driver in the study of wooden objects in the social sciences. This trend can also be associated with a recent strong push to create, low-cost, environmentally-responsible, sustainable housing solutions for rapidly expanding urban populations. Thus, interest in studying wood degradation and conservation from an engineering/materials science perspective has increased significantly. The study of degradation phenomena in wooden artefacts, along with methods to conserve or enhance their material properties and monitor changes over time is, not only, invaluable to archaeological science, but also to engineers and materials scientists concerned with the endurance of the wooden constructions of tomorrow. The aim of this review is to highlight recent developments in the characterisation, consolidation and monitoring of materials properties of archaeological wood. A specific focus will be placed on bio-sourced consolidants and multi-phase systems based on nano-fillers, recognising the contribution to archaeological science and underlining the impact this knowledge can play on future developments in wooden construction.

Homebuyers today are faced with a spectrum of choices when deciding to build a new home. However, encouraging more sustainable choices in housing and construction decisions has been challenging. In this paper, we apply the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to investigate the factors predicting homebuyers’ intentions to purchase a dwelling with a sustainability certification. Three hundred and thirty Australian residents who had recently purchased property were recruited via an online panel provider. Attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and green consumer identity each independently predicted higher intentions to purchase a sustainability-certified dwelling, and in combination accounted for 65% of the variance in intentions. Green consumer identity also significantly moderated the effect of subjective norms on intentions. In a separate analysis, the two strongest predictors of willingness to pay for a sustainability certification were familiarity with current sustainability certifications and subjective norms. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Studies on specific critical success criteria (CSC) for performance measurement of sustainable affordable housing projects are limited. This study aims to identify and classify the various CSC from the views of affordable housing experts around the world. 21 CSC were identified from a comprehensive literature review followed by a questionnaire survey on the identified 21 CSC. With 51 responses, the data were analyzed. Factor analysis indicated that the various CSC can be grouped into six components: household satisfaction CSC, stakeholders' satisfaction CSC, house operation cost CSC, time measurement CSC, location affordability cost CSC and quality-related CSC. Practically, the findings of this study can serve as a guide for assessing the performance of affordable housing projects as well as serving as a guide to developers, NGOs and government agencies in the allocation of resources for the provision of sustainable affordable housing. Future study would investigate the interrelationship between critical success criteria and critical success factors for sustainable affordable housing.

Sustainable housing has been an overarching goal globally, and Ghana is no exception vis-a-vis the country’s energy and housing affordability challenges particularly in cities. Yet, its im...

Modular building systems in the Slovak Republic are assessed as a practical construction method and solution for a particular type of housing stock, as well as an alternative. Most existing panel buildings designed in the Slovak Republic had sufficient static reserve, allowing for the construction of rooftop extensions. Despite the considerable advantages of modular rooftop extensions, the aforementioned method of increasing available and sustainable housing stock&mdash, especially in large cities&mdash, is under-utilized in Slovakia. This paper outlines a solution for low-energy extensions&mdash, the SOLTAG concept&mdash, on the basis of knowledge acquired by studying problems related to Soltag extensions as part of the SURE-Fit (Sustainable Roof Extension Retrofit) project and practical experience from Denmark. This paper aims to assess and compare energy savings and economic benefits for three rooftop extensions of the SOLTAG concept and bricked extensions for a model area in the Slovak Republic.

The Gipuzkoa branch of the Basque and Navarre College of Architects organized, within the MUGAK Architecture Biennial, the exposition “The Transgenerational House.” It took place in a pavilion specially built for the purpose in a public space in the city of San Sebastian (Spain). In it, both a conventional furnished home and an alternative one, with the possibility of allowing free spatial divisions and furnishing distribution, were recreated. Some architectural teams showed their experiences on housing. A set of components with a color code was developed to link the two homes and the work of the architects. The pavilion was opened to the public, which had access to the contained information in a partially directed way and participated answering to posed specific questions. Additionally, 10 structured workshops with different collectives were organized, making specific proposals on the alternative home. The overall exposition is shown, reflecting on the advantages and limitations of citizen participation as an instrument of sustainable development.

In recent years, research findings and pronouncements by international organisations have recognised the usefulness and timeliness of advancing public policies to promote sustainable building. However, in many parts of the world, governmental measures have limited their scope mainly to energy efficiency in housing use. In the same vein, some experiences in different countries have revealed the need to study further governmental or stimulation drivers that can boost sustainability in building, renovation, and dwellings. This paper aims to contribute to the design of public policies that promote sustainable building. Our paper seeks to identify specific drivers that can help governments boost sustainability in building, renovation, and dwellings through a multi-stakeholder survey. Our findings show the specific drivers to be of three types: fiscal, financial, and government interventions. It is the respondents’ opinion that public policies can help promote sustainable housing. Financial drivers are the most highly rated, followed by fiscal drivers and then government interventions., ERDF project with reference B1-SEJ-217- UGR18, Department of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities (Regional Government of Andalusia), Technologies for Circular Economy of the University of Granada - Research group TEP-968

Sustainable housing and buildings constitute a fundamental part of the future urban fabric. This study aims at clarifying how different actors employ parameters of sustainability in building design and what enables the holistic perspective of the interrelating social, economic and environmental parameters. Interviews with building developers and designers show that decision support tools are used late in the design process and commonly focused on single parameters of sustainability. The analysis shows how practitioners of the planning and early design phases operate at general levels of geometrical clusters and volumes but must continuously evaluate each project from the perspective of the specifications of end-users and the public, to ensure holistic sustainability. This opposing relationship between need and availability of general and specific data, however, challenges the implementation of holistic sustainability. Advancing the interdisciplinary, holistic building design requires systematic aggregation of data from executed projects of this data into applicable rules-of-thumb. In parallel, future tools for simulation and dialogue must employ a broader scope of sustainability parameters. The conceptual frameworks of data and tools presented in this study can be used as a backdrop for developing sectoral initiatives to enable holistic decisions in the early stages of sustainable building design. Sustainable housing and buildings constitute a fundamental part of the future urban fabric. This study aims at clarifying how different actors employ parameters of sustainability in building design and what enables the holistic perspective of the interrelating social, economic and environmental parameters. Interviews with building developers and designers show that decision support tools are used late in the design process and commonly focused on single parameters of sustainability. The analysis shows how practitioners of the planning and early design phases operate at general levels of geometrical clusters and volumes but must continuously evaluate each project from the perspective of the specifications of end-users and the public, to ensure holistic sustainability. This opposing relationship between need and availability of general and specific data, however, challenges the implementation of holistic sustainability. Advancing the interdisciplinary, holistic building design requires systematic aggregation of data from executed projects of this data into applicable rules-of-thumb. In parallel, future tools for simulation and dialogue must employ a broader scope of sustainability parameters. The conceptual frameworks of data and tools presented in this study can be used as a backdrop for developing sectoral initiatives to enable holistic decisions in the early stages of sustainable building design.Sustainable housing and buildings constitute a fundamental part of the future urban fabric. This study aims at clarifying how different actors employ parameters of sustainability in building design and what enables the holistic perspective of the interrelating social, economic and environmental parameters. Interviews with building developers and designers show that decision support tools are used late in the design process and commonly focused on single parameters of sustainability. The analysis shows how practitioners of the planning and early design phases operate at general levels of geometrical clusters and volumes but must continuously evaluate each project from the perspective of the specifications of end-users and the public, to ensure holistic sustainability. This opposing relationship between need and availability of general and specific data, however, challenges the implementation of holistic sustainability. Advancing the interdisciplinary, holistic building design requires systematic aggregation of data from executed projects of this data into applicable rules-of-thumb. In parallel, future tools for simulation and dialogue must employ a broader scope of sustainability parameters. The conceptual frameworks of data and tools presented in this study can be used as a backdrop for developing sectoral initiatives to enable holistic decisions in the early stages of sustainable building design.Sustainable housing and buildings constitute a fundamental part of the future urban fabric. This study aims at clarifying how different actors employ parameters of sustainability in building design and what enables the holistic perspective of the interrelating social, economic and environmental parameters. Interviews with building developers and designers show that decision support tools are used late in the design process and commonly focused on single parameters of sustainability. The analysis shows how practitioners of the planning and early design phases operate at general levels of geometrical clusters and volumes but must continuously evaluate each project from the perspective of the specifications of end-users and the public, to ensure holistic sustainability. This opposing relationship between need and availability of general and specific data, however, challenges the implementation of holistic sustainability. Advancing the interdisciplinary, holistic building design requires systematic aggregation of data from executed projects of this data into applicable rules-of-thumb. In parallel, future tools for simulation and dialogue must employ a broader scope of sustainability parameters. The conceptual frameworks of data and tools presented in this study can be used as a backdrop for developing sectoral initiatives to enable holistic decisions in the early stages of sustainable building design.

In the Netherlands, as in other European countries, the uncertain, fragmented character of the low- carbon retrofit market hampers a transition towards sustainable housing. Connecting homeowners to supply-side actors of low-carbon retrofit procedures, products and technologies in ways satisfactory to homeowners forms an important, challenging task. Service design for the benefit of a customer-centric perspective might be a solution. This paper investigates the potential role of strategic intermediaries as agents of change located between supply-side actors and homeowners. It asks how strategic intermediaries choreograph low-carbon retrofit experiences of homeowners through the design of a ‘customer journey’. Trust is a crucial determinant. This paper distinguishes between three customer-journey designs in which, depending on the role envisioned for homeowners, a different trust relation is foregrounded: a private design envisions homeowners as passive consumers who trust in the expertise offered by the intermediary; a civic design envisions homeowners as engaged consumer-citizens who trust their neighbours as reliable service representatives; and a public design envisions homeowners as critical customers who trust in the retrofit technologies and products offered. This implies an important role for policy actors in realizing ways for scaling up and institutionalizing all three low-carbon retrofit customer-journey designs on a national level.

The goal of this research is to perform comparative analysis between conventional energy systems (cooling, lighting, and water heating) typically utilized in housing construction and two sustainabl...

Promoting innovation in the construction sector is one of the cornerstones of sustainability, since it is one of the main responsible for GHG emissions. This paper provides a proposal for sustainable housing: the industrialized passive home of American Building System Company (ABS) and its suitability to be incorporated into the construction system. Following the comparative analysis of the energy demands of this model versus an equivalent house which follows the regulations of the CTE. These data will be simulated by the SG SAVE software that perform the energy simulation of the both systems, based on the transmittance values of enclosures and glass and the final tightness of the homes. From these results about the savings in energy consumption, an economic analysis has been carried out and an assessment of the amortization period of the proposed house facing the other. In addition, through the calculation coefficients of equivalent CO2 emissions from the Spanish Ministry of Industry, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption during the use stage has been obtained. Finally, for a standardize comfort conditions, the modelling and the assessment allow us to conclude that the deployment of ABS house in comparison with the conventional Spanish system supposes a reduction of 60% in energy demand, a 90% in CO2 emissions, and an amortization period of 12 years. With all these evidences we should start to think why this system has not been already integrated in the Spanish construction sector. Resumen Fomentar la innovación en el sector de la construcción es una de las piedras angulares de la sostenibilidad, pues la construcción es uno de los sectores responsables de las emisiones de GEI. Este artículo busca ofrecer una propuesta para la construcción sostenible: la vivienda pasiva industrializada de la empresa American Building System (ABS) y su idoneidad para ser incorporada como sistema constructivo tras el análisis comparativo de sus demandas energéticas frente a los de una vivienda equivalente que sigue la normativa del Código Técnico de la Edificación. Estos datos han sido obtenidos a partir del modelado energético de la vivienda a través del software SG SAVE, en función de los valores de transmitancia de cerramientos y vidrios y la estanqueidad final de la vivienda. A partir de estos resultados se ha realizado un análisis económico y se ha calculado el periodo de amortización de la vivienda propuesta frente a la del sistema convencional. Por otro lado, mediante los coeficientes de cálculo de emisiones del Ministerio de Industria Español, ha sido posible estimar la reducción emisiones de CO2 asociadas al consumo de energía durante la etapa de uso como consecuencia de la reducción de demanda energética entre ambas viviendas. Finalmente, para unas condiciones de confort normalizadas, la modelización energética y el análisis de resultados nos permiten concluir que la vivienda ABS en comparación con la vivienda del sistema convencional español nos permite reducir la demanda energética en hasta un 60%, las emisiones de CO2 en hasta un 90%, con un período de amortización de 12 años. Con todas estas evidencias de mejoría se plantea una reflexión final que es la de por qué este tipo de sistemas constructivos no están todavía integrados en el modelo constructivo español .

Housing is a basic need of every human being. Apart from the financial and social problems faced by our nation, we encounter energy crisis, climatic changes and their impacts on a daily basis. There is an urgent need of efficient green houses for our nation to continue living in a healthy environment. This need is reflected by the congestion of our cities, increasing population and energy demand. Pakistan is one of the countries with highest energy consumption at domestic level. Sustainable urban communities are based on an approach that links economic, social and environmental issues and solutions. They are designed to be socially and economically viable, environmentally sustainable and equitable places. Rapid urbanization demands a lot of housing stocks in urban areas. This paper examines sustainable development in the housing sector of Pakistan towards green building specifically focusing on the private housing scheme developers. Their lack of vision regarding green building adaptation is perplexing. Grand Avenue Housing Scheme, Lahore has been selected as the case study area to highlight the importance of green building. Primary and secondary data has been collected from this housing scheme developer, different software like Google Earth Pro and Sketch Up Pro has been used for 3D visualization of proposed building in the case study area. Internationally, there is a lot of focus on green building construction technology. However, in Pakistan there is no research and implementation of this technology. We need to rectify this situation so that much needed energy can be saved and to promote sustainable housing.

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo abordar un análisis de las políticas sustentables en México a partir del programa Hipoteca Verde, tomando éste como modelo de buena práctica. Tema que nos permite acceder al conocimiento de las políticas y tecnologías que se están desarrollando en México en contra de la acción de la emisión de CO2. Con este análisis se pretende dar a conocer y generar conocimiento sobre los beneficios que brindan las políticas de vivienda sustentable y el ahorro generado con ellas dentro de las familias. Este análisis se realizará con base en estudios producidos por Infonavit mediante un simulador de ecotecnologías, el cual permite conocer los gastos sobre el agua, luz, gas y equipos de gas en la vivienda, y demostrando los ahorros generados con las ecotecnologías promovidas gracias a las políticas de vivienda, así generando el apoyo a nuevas ecotecnologías apoyadas por el Gobierno debido a la necesidad que existe en México y en otros países en implementar políticas sustentables dentro de la promoción de vivienda, las cuales se cumplan realmente y no pasen a ser simplemente un escrito, apoyando así la sustentabilidad.

This paper clarifies the characteristics of the metamorphosis/customization/ extension of row-type housing. The metamorphosis position as well as physical characteristics of the row-type housing facade, as well as material utilization have also been clarified. Utilizing the graphic recording techniques integrated with discussions have helped to brainstorm the ideas and found the contributed gaps. The results showed that the metamorphosis has a positive solution of this housing style. Space for Creating Income (SCI) has played an imperative role since the first of occupation period of the users. Tools to gain SCI found to be self-extension and self-customization. The direction of the metamorphosis majorly be the first storey of the building, continuously to the interior space of the first floor. Materials utilization found to be semi-permanent and permanent material. Users are able to gain income by using their row-house. Apart from functioning as a residing purpose, row-type housing can also support to generate income for its users. Therefore, SCI is essential and should be a significant outlook for sustainable housing enhancement.

This work shows a proposed room prototype and its thermal behavior evaluation. The room was built by using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles filled with soil from the site for its walls and a roof made of multiple layers of reused materials. The construction had a green roof and skylights that were constructed out of upcycled entire glass bottles. Thermal measurements were made indoors and outdoors over the course of one year. Temperature and humidity sensors were used for internal measurements, and, at the same time, a reference sensor recorded data that corresponded to external environmental conditions. The constructed building differed by an average of 8.5 &deg, C from the reference measurements of the external environment and an average of 24.24% in relative humidity. Thermograms were taken from the outside walls, which reached 54.2 &deg, C, while internal wall temperatures reached 25.5 &deg, C. Additionally, a thermal transfer simulation of the prototype was accomplished by using COMSOL Multiphysics. Simulation results approximated the experimental data. The prototype had low daily thermal fluctuations, which was considered a desirable thermal behavior. These results, along with the self-building practices, low costs, and reuse of waste materials, makes this kind of building a potentially feasible alternative.

À partir d’une enquête menée auprès de ménages ayant fait construire une maison individuelle relevant de la « construction durable » (matériaux dits « écologiques » et haute performance énergétique) en Alsace, cet article interroge l’inscription de la durabilité par « petites touches » dans les espaces périurbains, loin du modèle normatif et médiatisé des éco-quartiers. La maison de type « pavillonnaire » dans le périurbain se présente comme un modèle résidentiel dont les enquêtés ont en partie hérité de leurs parents, et qu’ils renouvellent à partir d’une sensibilisation aux enjeux environnementaux qui se concrétise par des choix constructifs et des pratiques quotidiennes. Les espaces périurbains diversifiés dans lesquels sont inscrits les projets des enquêtés donnent à voir des parcours résidentiels distincts et une pluralité de rapports à la durabilité sur le territoire. Based on a survey of households that have built a single-family house using "sustainable construction" (so-called "ecological" materials and high energy performance) in Alsace, this article examines the inclusion of sustainability in "small touches" in suburban spaces. This type of sustainable housing is clearly different from the normative and mediatized model of the Eco-district. The "suburban" type house is presented as a residential model that the respondents have partly inherited from their parents. They are renewing it based on an awareness of environmental issues, reflected in constructive choices and daily practices. The diverse suburban spaces in which the respondents’ projects are set show distinct residential pathways and a plurality of practices of sustainability in the territory.

This article presents the results of research on the effect of the customer&rsquo, s gender on the tenure choice (ownership or tenancy) on the housing market. In the study, an attempt has been made to investigate whether there is a significant role of women in making decisions in this market. The survey was conducted among residents of two cities&mdash, Olsztyn (Poland) and Vilnius (Lithuania). The obtained answers were subjected to a multi-dimensional categorical and quantitative analysis. The results showed, among others, that women generally have greater decision-making autonomy in residential issues than men, with Lithuanian women doing this much more often than Polish women. However, it should be noted that the dominant decision-making model in the housing market is the model of joint decisions taken by men and women. The results of the conducted analysis broaden the existing knowledge of the functioning of the housing market and may support the implementation of the pro-social and pro-sustainable spatial development policy of the given territorial unit. The results may also contribute to more sustainable development of enterprises in the housing construction sector. This is an important issue in a climate of intense competition between &ldquo, providers&rdquo, of flats and the gradual introduction of the idea of competition between them and the social environment.

The scope of this work covers a proposal for the implementation of sustainable, low-cost, environmentally friendly, and affordable housing for low-income people. This paper aims to address the current housing issues, namely that many people lack decent housing and that the built houses are usually of a poorly sustainable nature. The work consists of three main parts: an evaluation of housing sustainability, measurement of parameters related to their internal comfort and a simulation of thermal enclosure with the COMSOL Multiphysics&reg, software. An important objective is to propose a sustainability assessment format, which, besides being explained in detail, is presented in a percentage scale for ease of understanding. This work seeks a methodology for evaluating the level or degree of sustainability for the construction and inhabitation stages of housing. Using a prototype constructed with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, temperature and humidity were measured. There was a contrasting behavior of these two parameters, which tended towards an inverse behavior, except on cloudy or rainy days. The roof of the prototype contained some waste materials that provided thermal insulation: galvanized steel, polyethylene bags for upcycling as waterproofing, PET bottles, soil and endemic plants (green roof). The results obtained in the simulation are in accordance with the real internal behavior of the prototype.

The housing type of apartments, which has been spreading widely in South Korea, has penetrated deep into the domestic housing culture, thanks to the advantage of &ldquo, convenience&rdquo, resulting from the mass production of industrial capitalism that prioritizes functionality and efficiency. However, as capitalist social structures undergo transformation, in the 21st century, under a paradigm emphasizing creativity over functionality and efficiency, the characteristics of everyday life are also changing. Therefore, this study focuses on newly emerging lifestyles resulting from this transition of social structures. It analyzes the characteristics of residential space that reflect this trend, centering on &ldquo, the characteristics of residents&rdquo, and &ldquo, the relationship between individual and family&rdquo, To this end, we compared lifestyle magazines aimed at the general public and architectural magazines aimed at architectural experts. Section 3 explores the changed lifestyles of residents by analyzing the articles containing interviews with residents in lifestyle magazines, while Section 4 focuses on the characteristics of residential spaces in reflecting these changes by analyzing houses and articles of architects and critics in architectural magazines. This analysis consistently brought forth the question of the limit of existing spaces of apartments and the desire to overcome them. A correspondence between residential spaces and the needs of everyday lives and lifestyles is a basic requirement for sustainable housing. Thus, the design of residential spaces will have to begin with a clear understanding of residents and their lifestyles, which can then be mapped onto the characteristics of residential spaces that can support them.

Legislative initiatives regarding universal accessibility promote the elimination of architectural barriers. This is a positive measure as it aims to ensure equal rights and opportunities for disabled people, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations, 2006). One of the challenges facing society today is the determination of reasonable accommodation, a concept that encompasses those necessary modifications and adjustments which do not impose a disproportionate burden. For this purpose, technical, economic and social aspects shall be taken into consideration, as required by legislation. This paper proposes reasonable accommodation in residential buildings, taking into account the different options for its attainment, by applying a multi-criteria analysis based on a wide range of objective indicators of three types: technical, social and economic. This proposal was one of the objectives of the R + D + i Project called “VIVable-From accessible housing to sustainable housing: The essence of reasonable accommodation”. From VIVable, the fuzzy multi-criteria assessment method for determining reasonable accommodation may be totally extrapolated to other uses. At the same time, the proposed method may also be extrapolated to other countries where basic requirements for universal accessibility in buildings and equal rights of persons with disabilities are standardized.

Sustainable housing that both creates good indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and avoids unnecessary energy use has proved difficult to realize. Renovations of multifamily houses provide an opportunity to find this balance. This study concerns whether tenants perceive that conditions for achieving sufficient IEQ with low energy use exist. Focus group interviews with 42 participants, in areas where the rents were in the lower range and included heating up to 21 °C, aimed to capture the tenants' perceptions of: IEQ and actions taken to regulate it; information and control; the connections between IEQ and energy use; and the role of the housing company. Good IEQ was crucial to interviewees, who described it as sufficient heat without draughts, ability to ventilate, and no disturbing sounds or smells. The main responsibility was attributed to the housing company, but daily regulation controlled by tenants. However, unclear interfaces between tenants and the systems that regulate IEQ make it difficult for tenants to act as a positive part of the system. Tenants did not link IEQ to energy use. A holistic view of the physical environment's affordances, including intuitive interfaces, could optimize the balance between good IEQ and energy use.

According to local wisdom, vernacular houses are believed to be able to adapt to their environmental conditions, and this is the case for the vernacular timber houses of the Arfak tribe. Known as the “house of a thousand piles”, these houses are indeed built with many piles, which are embedded into the ground to support their structure. Besides this, they also have a symmetrical geometric form and seven layers of intersecting beams that create very stiff floor diaphragm. All these piles and beams were tied together using rattan ropes. They are believed by the locals to be earthquake resistant but unfortunately their reliability performance has hardly ever been proven scientifically. Therefore, this paper focused on efforts to provide an overview of the structural reliability of the houses of the Arfak tribe in West Papua through a loading test conducted at the site. This test was in the form of a static monotonic test where a 3 m by 3 m house module was tied with steel rope and then laterally pulled by a truck equipped with a load cell as the source of lateral force. The force was applied alternately in the X and Y directions with and without a live load. The module was then loaded until collapse. Through this experiment, the natural period and lateral stiffness of the module were calculated. The experiments also showed the types of structural damage suffered by the module, which can help to improve the housing quality and could be one option for locally based mitigation to meet the needs of sustainable housing.

Cet article retrace les processus d’institutionnalisation de l’habitat durable dans trois pays européens : la France, la Finlande et l’Espagne. En prenant appui sur un travail de thèse (Némoz, 2009), il s’agit d’engager une réflexion sur la définition politique de la « durabilité » dans le secteur résidentiel et sur la portée critique de son approche comparative dans l’espace et dans le temps. L’objectif est d’expliciter et de mettre en débat la part de normativité que l’habitat durable exerce sur les politiques publiques en Europe. Les hypothèses d’un outil de gouvernementalisation et d’une capacité de distanciation cognitive sont approfondies, en revenant tant sur les méthodes que sur les résultats. Contre la vision simpliste d’un changement global de culture, l’européanisation de l’habitat durable est analysée comme la construction multi-échelle et muticulturelle d’un « format » : l’« éco-logis ». La légitimation de cette catégorie spatiale s’avère être dominée par un registre managérial et technologique. Celui-ci tend à réduire la transformation résidentielle à des exigences écologiques et économiques, sans ouvrir de discussion sur le fonctionnement des relations de pouvoir et des rapports sociaux. L’approche comparative se révèle être un ressort de la réflexion critique en ce qu’elle la délocalise. Elle instruit l’« éco-logis » d’une portée plus large, en éclairant plusieurs facettes que le regard doit parcourir s’il veut saisir la morphologie du pouvoir sur nos modes d’habiter avec la nature. This article looks at the institutionalization process of sustainable housing in three European countries: France, Finland and Spain. Building on a thesis (Némoz, 2009), the analysis entails further reflection on the political definition of « sustainability » in the residential sector and further discussion on the critical scope of comparative approach in space and time. The objective is to make explicit and to pave the way for debate about the normative dimension of sustainable housing and its impacts on public policy in Europe. The assumptions of a tool for supporting governments and the cognitive distance taken are examined in relation to the methodologies used and their results. Far from the simplistic vision of a global change of culture, the Europeanisation of sustainable housing is analysed as a multiscale and multicultural construction of a « format »: the « eco-housing ». The legitimacy of this spatial category has proven to be dominated by a managerial and technological register. It tends to reduce the residential transformation from ecological and economic requirements without opening the discussion on the functioning of power relations. The comparative approach proves to be a driving force that relocates the critical reflection. It examines the « eco-housing » in a broader scope which highlights several facets that give new insights into the morphology of power over our ways of living with nature. Este artículo describe los procesos de institucionalización del hábitat sostenible en tres países europeos: Francia, Finlandia y Espaňa. Basada en una tesis (Némoz, 2009), se trata de empreder una reflexión sobre la definición politíca de la « sostenibilidad » en el sector residential y sobre el alcance crítico de su enfoque comparativo en el espacio y en el tiempo. El objetivo es aclarar y presentar a un debate abierto la normatividad del hábitat sostenible ejercida en las políticas públicas en Europa. Las hipótesis relativas a una herramienta de gubernamentalisación y a une capacidad de distanciamiento cognitivo se examinan a través los métodos y los resultados. Contra la visión simplista de un cambio global de cultura, la europeización del hábitat sostenible se está analizando como una construcción multicultural a escalas múltiples de un « formato »: el « eco-alojamiento ». La legitimación de esta catgoría espacial parece estar dominada por un registro empresarial y technológico. Éste tiende a reducir la transformación residencial a las exigencias ecológicas y económicas sin abrir la discusión sobre el funcionamiento de las relaciones de poder. El enfoque comparativo está demonstrando ser un elemento fundamental que se deslocaliza la reflexión crítica. Se ha instruido el « eco-alojamiento » con un alcance más amplio que presenta varias facetas y que da a ver la morfoloría del poder en nosotros modos de vivir con la naturaleza.

The effect of courtyards as microclimate modifiers on the sustainability of traditional houses in a region with BWks mesoclimate in Iran was explored. The principle behind traditional Iranian courtyards was investigated to identify the most influential physical–environmental characteristics that can effectively improve energy efficiency in contemporary residential buildings. A field study was performed to analyze various physical elements of six valuable traditional courtyard houses located in a region with BWks mesoclimate in Iran. These elements included the orientation, extension, rotation angle, dimensions, and proportions of enclosed and open spaces, as well as physical bodies (opaque walls), transparent surfaces (openings), and natural elements (water and soil). Results showed that most of the studied Iranian courtyards were particularly designed to enable orientation, dimension, and proportion to act as microclimate modifiers. All survey-based data were summarized and integrated to propose a physical–environmental design model for courtyards as a useful energy-efficient strategy for contemporary sustainable housing in a region with BWks mesoclimate. The proposed model can be generalized to all design cases located in areas with similar climatic conditions.

This research presents a decision support method for housing managers to identify the most appropriate renovation strategy, which combines a multi-criteria assessment of ten renovation factors together with an economic feasibility analysis. In contrast to the majority of decision support systems, this method not only assesses the impact of the renovation proposals, but also includes and evaluates the management of the renovation process through a procedure of quantifying and weighting multiple social, technical, and economic variables related to the renovation work. The method, based on two representative cases of housing renovation projects in Sweden, has been designed and tested and is also applicable to other locations, multi-family buildings, and ownership models. Via a graphical display, the results show the impact generated during the work, the benefits obtained after the interventions, and the economic feasibility in different timeframes of each design strategy, which supports housing owners’ decision-making and promotes feasible and suitable actions from a multidisciplinary approach. The conclusions highlight the possibility of implementing renovation strategies at various levels and provide policy implications of this method for a cleaner operation in the building sector with responsible management of urban regeneration by generating sustainable renovation rates and satisfactory proposals.

It is possible to categorize the housing problems in Saudi Arabia based on two important factors, one quantitative and the other qualitative. The quantitative aspect is indicated by the inability to meet the increasing demand for housing, and the qualitative aspect is manifested in the fact that the current housing model does not take into consideration sustainability criteria, the quality of construction, and the life span of the house. The Kingdom's 2030 vision to raise housing ownership from 47 % to 52 % makes it necessary to find models for applying affordability and sustainability criteria. This paper aims to determine an optimal model based on the design, construction, operation and deconstruction criteria of both affordability and sustainability for residential neighborhoods and detached houses (villas). It outlines a new comprehensive approach to determine the priority criteria ranking of affordability and sustainability to be applied to low- and middle-income housing projects. The approach was developed by evaluating five models of criteria according to their relative importance and impact on the initial cost. The model selected was developed according to the local needs of Saudi Arabia, thus minimizing their environmental impact. In addition to being cost-effective, where the initial cost is reduced by 16 %–45 % after applying affordability criteria, the added cost of applying the mandatory sustainability criteria does not exceed 3.91 %. In conclusion, the study showed that this model is the ideal one for affordable and sustainable housing development for middle- and low-income households.

Substantial amount of time, financial resources and energy are required to obtain experimental data on the compressive strength of building components. Application of multivariate regression models in predicting the strength of stabilized lateritic soil has the potential of reducing the time and cost of construction projects in Nigeria. This study is aimed at developing multivariate models for predicting the strength of lateritic soils stabilized with bone ash for sustainable construction. Different percentages of bone ash were used to stabilize lateritic soil. The lateritic brick samples obtained were cured at different temperatures and ages. The samples were tested to obtain their compressive strength. Multivariate and non-linear models were used to predict the compressive strength of the lateritic bricks. A mixed model with R2 of 97% was identified as the best-fit statistical model. The usefulness of the models is limited to the range of variables used but for a more universal application, wider ranges of variables can be explored. This model has practical application for the prediction of compressive strength of stabilized lateritic soil for sustainable housing construction in Nigeria.

Assessment tools such as BREEAM and LEED are widely used to assess physical indicators of building performance from the micro- to the mesoscale. However, the built environment represents both intangible and tangible sets of indicators that should be understood within its context. Therefore, this project proposes a prototype Eco-cultural design assessment framework and tool to enhance the process of sustainable housing development that meets the residents&rsquo, socio-cultural needs whilst avoiding unwanted environmental impacts. A qualitative research design approach was adopted. The tool was developed using data derived from interviews with 81 participants from two comparative case studies of vernacular and contemporary housing in Jordan. Results showed that indicators related to wellbeing and local culture were the most discussed by participants and were associated with sustainable architecture. The tool was designed to encapsulate these findings and evaluated for its completeness and usability by 38 architects from Jordan. Results indicate that participants had positive feedback, and they deemed the tool content useful and practical for integrating Eco-cultural design indicators within architectural practice in Jordan. The research outputs are novel and significant in that they translated qualitative socio-cultural indicators into tangible design guidelines that can be effectively incorporated into existing sustainable building assessment frameworks.

The supply side of sustainable housing needs to be complemented with, driven by, and shaped around a willing and committed demand site. This study examines the sustainable housing sector of Pakistan by describing the potential buyers’ profile and quantifying their willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainable housing uptake in the market. WTP is estimated through a survey of 354 potential homebuyers. Furthermore, the hierarchical Bayesian model of adaptive choice-based conjoint analysis is utilized to study the correlation of descriptive determinants on WTP for sustainable housing. The results suggest that demographical factors of age, gender, and literacy level positively correlate with WTP whereas environmental knowledge and income level negatively correlate with WTP. Also, energy saving has the highest relative importance among other housing attributes. The study contributes a vital empirical input to the literature by finding the potential sustainable homebuyers in Pakistan and their characteristics and proposes several policy guidelines to promote the uptake of the sustainable housing sector in the country.

Green residential architecture is reviewed considering the green movement that has taken place since the 1950’s to 2010’s describing and evaluating the most relevant housing projects that integrate an energy systems approach to reduced demand, renewable energy supply and energy storage. This review shows that green residential architecture has evolved significantly, has been named differently depending on the interests or concerns at the time, and has advanced at varying speeds depending on the technological, economic, environmental and political barriers and drivers at the time. Eighty-two green residential case studies are evaluated, focusing on the UK (30% of the case studies), but also Europe, the USA and worldwide. It is found that the most popular strategies for reduced energy demand are fabric first approach (89% of the case studies) and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (64%) for renewable energy supply are solar thermal collectors (79%) and photovoltaic panels (58%), and for energy storage are hot water tanks (57%). In conclusion, 67% of the case studies have a whole energy systems-based approach with an average of 5.2 technologies per house.

Circular building has gained considerable attention in the Netherlands during the past decade. It is rooted in concepts such as circular economy (CE) and Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C&reg, ), accentuating the closing and coupling of material loops to establish effective and efficient resource flows. Moreover, those concepts adhere to a systemic, holistic worldview, incorporating multiple flows and values. Although social aspects, such as health, wellbeing, and social inclusiveness, are generally part of circular building principles, specific benefits for end-users are not. This paper explores the synergistic potential of circular and flexible (Circ-Flex) criteria from the perspective of enhanced control and convenience for residents. The hypothesis is that without integrating the user domain, replicability of circular building concepts on a larger residential scale cannot be done in a truly sustainable manner. The paper is structured around two objectives: (1) further identifying the relationship between flexible and circular building, and (2) exploring the impact of circular, flexible building concepts and practices for the users of multi-family housing, specifically regarding interior partitioning. The research follows a mixed-mode methodology comprising of literature review, case study, expert consultations and a quick-scan assessment. Eleven Circ-Flex criteria are explored, grouped in three categories: flexibility capacity, circularity capacity, and user capacity. These criteria are applied to two partitioning variants, whilst exploring the performance regarding material circulation and user benefits.

In planning for a future that fulfils sustainability goals, there is a need to explore how roles taken in socio-ecological transitions are perceived among different types of actors. Empirical insights from interviews with diverse actors involved in Swedish housing development are presented, addressing the roles, conflicting logics and power relations between different sectoral categories of actors and at different organizational levels. Key aspects that emerge relate to the shift from state to market in contemporary Swedish housing development, where private companies emphasize their role in shaping societal development as inherent to working with sustainability. Conflicting logics can be found between short-term economic interests and long-term planning and policy, as well as intra-organizational differences in competency and leadership. Conclusions point to that the role of third sector or community actors in pushing agendas and norms to bring about transitions could be acknowledged further. Yet there is a need to examine the power relations currently reproduced, and how these could be challenged in future housing development. This includes critically assessing the potential for new types of actors and cross-sectoral collaborations, but also instigating more fundamental discussions of the kind of society strived for, and the radical transitions needed.

Faced with implementing policies that seek to improve the energy efficiency of housing and reduce the impact of CO2 emissions, several countries are introducing (unilaterally or by international agreement) energy certification systems that allow the effects of these policies to be evaluated. This study aims to compare the energy efficiency certification systems in Spain and Chile, identifying convergent and divergent parameters, enabling the existing gaps to be identified and improvements noted for both systems. To do so, 20 sample dwellings in Santiago de Chile were evaluated, along with the local calculating tools in both countries. The analysis considered the aspects of regulation, its reach, the characterization of the models and the necessary indicators. The comparison identified, among others, differences such as obligatory implementation of the system, a study of the existing buildings in the focus area, the prevailing indicators for evaluating the effects of the buildings, the low incidence of mixed energy systems in the Chilean system and the possibility of proposing and evaluating improvements in the Spanish system. As a result, higher energy requirements and greater CO2 emissions were identified in the Chilean system, reaching differences of 42 kWh/m2/year in consumption and 14 kgCO2/ m2/year in emissions with regard to the Spanish qualification. The results of this comparison have facilitated the identification of improvements that will increase the evaluation standards of the Chilean system.

International audience; This article intends to present the notion of comfort as a central element in housing policies. Comfort is liable to an analysis in terms of governance and enrichment of the Housing Regimes theory. Thereby it develops in the first part a socio-historical analysis of housing standards production patterns in France from the 19th century to current day. It distinguishes the hygienist period, the modernist period and the environmental period. For the latter , it shows how private and institutional stakeholders operate. In the second part it analyses the results of a qualitative and quantitative survey of one thousand French homeowners. It reveals the various acceptations of the notion of comfort and the diverse integration of the energy conservation targets in practices. A new social differentiation appears through the capabilities to use new technologies and control the environment.

The building industry has a substantial potential for short-run and cost-effective greenhouse gases emission mitigation with long-term positive sustainability impacts. There are, however, a variety of human-based barriers, detracting from the leverage of the mitigation plans in this industry. The impacts of human-based factors are especially critical in the small size residential buildings, whereby a wide range of stakeholders plays serious roles in the housing development. In Australia, one critical human-based factor in the residential sector is the occupants’ preferences, increasing substantially diversity and complexity of the dwelling units’ physical characteristics. This paper intends to explain the role of feasibility assessment and design process in improving the energy performance of the Australian residential sector. Accordingly, an overview of the Australian housing characteristics assists in addressing the key characteristics of the Australian housing preferences. The analyses show that typological monotony, high range of owneroccupied housing, alongside occupants’ affordability are a number of characteristics of the Australian housing, which facilitate the implementation of housing efficiency plans in the early stages of housing provision. Some other characteristics, e.g. floor area, number of bedrooms, and number of people per dwelling units are some inefficient housing preferences, stressing the significant role of designers in encouraging the residents toward efficient choice behaviors. Accordingly, potential to impact the design process has the the energy demands of Australian housing through Housing-Resident Fit, by the implementing the key components of sustainable housing design, impacting the occupants’ preferences, and simplifying their domestic activities.

This paper discusses the results of the post-occupancy evaluation conducted in three-prefabricated timber housing developments. The study investigated occupants’ perception of comfort, adaptation to the thermal environment, and seasonal performance of the buildings. The buildings are constructed with engineered timber products (SIPs and CLT). The survey was conducted in the summer, but it also evaluated the performance of the buildings in winter. The results show 81% of the respondents feel ‘warm’ in summer. More than 50% of the respondents feel ‘neutral’ or ‘slightly warm’ in winter. Over 90% of the participants con?rmed the use of control with higher control satisfaction. Higher control satisfaction votes observed in one of the buildings are found to be strongly in?uenced by the occupancy period and ownership status. The respondents who are satis?ed with control perceived a high level of control across the case study buildings. The importance of control for thermal comfort/satisfaction may be a contributing factor as control increases; a key suggestion for widening the adaptive actions of people in buildings. Overall, the results showed the occupants did not perceive extreme summertime overheating at the buildings, despite higher thermal sensation votes (summer) recorded during the survey. The study provides an insight into occupants’ perception of comfort and adaptation in the buildings. The study identi?es the signi?cant impact of control on occupants’ comfort and adaptation. The paper concludes that the buildings perform better in winter than summer.

After last year’s adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the year 2016 promises to be a landmark year for international housing pol...

In the last few years the relevance of transit migration was corroborated for many African countries. Oftentimes, it is related to urban migrants’ subsisting linkages to their areas of origin, other times by the necessity or aspiration for onward journey. Based on recent research, this article examines the consequences of transit migration for the urban housing market and related challenges for sustainable housing policies in Ghana and South Africa. While in Ghana governmental housing hardly considers the urban poor, in South Africa a substantial post-apartheid subsidy system explicitly targets the lowest-income population. This article argues that neither approach adequately addresses transitory housing requirements related to mobility. Whereas the informal housing market can and often has responded with pragmatic solutions, it does not provide the maximum benefit to migrants. Therefore urban governments should enhance options in this increasingly important and highly dynamic housing sector recognising a...