Design adaptability as a tool for achieving affordable housing in developing economies

Abstract

Provision of affordable Housing is a basic human need, and in a developing economy such as Nigeria, the government is continuously seeking innovative means of tackling the challenge of housing deficit. The growing population coupled with the lack of adequate housing has necessitated the need for a strategy by architects and designers to proffer solutions that will complement government housing policies. This study aims to propose adaptable design strategies in the provision of affordable mass housing in a developing economy like Nigeria. To achieve that, the following objectives were pursued: to propose strategies for land-use efficiency, to recommend guidelines for flexibility in design and to incorporate end users’ opinion in the design of mass housing schemes. The study adopted the qualitative research method through the review of existing case studies. Among the recommendations made was proposing guidelines on adaptable design that will aid architects and designers in the design of affordable mass housing schemes.