Alternative Housing Research Articles

Views of Consumers, Farmers and Stakeholders on Alternative Dairy Cattle Housing Systems.

Simple SummarySustainable alternative housing systems for dairy cattle depend on being accepted by key categories like farmers, stakeholders, and consumers. Alongside tie-stall and cubicle housing systems, alternative free-walk systems (compost-bedded pack and artificial floor systems) are available today. This study aimed to determine and compare the acceptance of (alternative) housing systems and attitudes to certain aspects of housing systems for dairy cattle among Slovenian consumers, farmers, and stakeholders. They were asked online about their views on the most important aspects (animals, farmers, products, environment) of housing systems as well as the acceptance of four housing systems and related issues. The results reveal differences in attitude and acceptance among the main groups of respondents. Consumers, stakeholders, and conventional farmers preferred the artificial floor system, while organic farmers preferred the compost-bedded pack housing system. Consumers and organic farmers showed below-average scores for all aspects analyzed concerning animals, products, and the environment, whereas conventional farmers and stakeholders had shown above-average scores for aspects related to animals and the environment and negative attitudes to products. The findings suggest the need to tailor information about different housing systems to specific groups.Alternative housing systems for dairy cattle have recently emerged, such as compost-bedded packs and artificial floor ones. To determine their acceptability among categories of people with a connection to animal husbandry, this study aimed to identify and compare the acceptability of (alternative) housing systems and attitudes to aspects of housing systems for dairy cattle among Slovenian consumers, farmers, and stakeholders. Farmers (N = 306), consumers (N = 508), and stakeholders (N = 40) were interviewed about their views on the main aspects (animals, farmers, products, environment) of housing systems for dairy cattle, the acceptance of four housing systems, and important housing features. The results show that consumers, stakeholders, and conventional farmers preferred housing systems with an artificial floor, while organic farmers preferred a housing system with a compost-bedded pack. Consumers and organic farmers expressed the greatest acceptance of almost every aspect of the housing system, except for a sufficient income for farmers and a low workload. Conventional farmers and stakeholders hold similar views, except for the expectation that the animals have enough space to move around, the image of the landscape, and the animals’ health and wellbeing, where stakeholders showed more acceptance than conventional farmers. The results imply that systematically planned information aimed at different target categories is needed to increase the acceptance of (alternative) housing systems for cattle.

Alternative housing priorities for low-income migrants in Jakarta, Indonesia

ABSTRACT This empirical study suggests an alternative housing priority for the housing pathways of low-income migrants. An economic perspective has been the dominant paradigm in determining urban housing trajectories and has been cemented as the pedestal of the housing provision programme. However, this study is conducted in the highest density sub-districts of each of Jakarta’s five municipalities with mixed research method, evinces that forced eviction is one of the pivotal determinants of the housing pathway of low-income households and spatial dispersal is embedded in webs of kinship. Having lost their livelihood assets through hazard or eviction, low-income migrants move to the city to recuperate their loses by living with or near other family members. Through collective efficacy, their place attachment solidifies and confines their housing pathway to a short distance from other family and kin members.

Alternative housing models for precariously housed older Australians

This research investigates the potential of alternative housing models to increase the supply of affordable housing for older Australians and the role alternative financing schemes could play in expanding those options.

뉴시니어세대 1인가구의 라이프스타일에 따른 코하우징 유형 연구 - 야마사키 신지의 뉴시니어세대 소비의식 이론에 기초한 라이프스타일 유형을 바탕으로 -

The purpose of this study is to present the type of co-housing as a housing alternative for new senior single-person households in the aging population. It was presented according to the lifestyle of the new senior as a co-housing customized for the new senior. For this, new seniors and cohousing were studied through the method of reviewing previous studies and literature. And lifestyle and value keywords were arrived at a conclusion from the consumption consciousness of new seniors. Through the keyword, the type of cohousing according to the lifestyle was suggested. Co-housing in developed countries in the West, where co-housing for seniors has developed as an alternative to housing in the face of an aging society, is selected as a case study. By substituting the type of co-housing into the case, we looked at how the corresponding lifestyle was reflected in co-housing. The types of co-housing appeared as follows. First, “self-directed type for the pursuit of values”, leading a life in pursuit of values. Second, “a challenging learning type for self-development” that develops and learns endlessly. Third, “a personality-oriented type for self-satisfaction” that enjoys one’s own individuality. Fourth, “a health activity type for youth-oriented pursuit”, maintaining physical and mental youth. Fifth. “a family type for relational communication” that finds great meaning in close relationships such as family. Cohousing type was found to be self-directed type for value pursuit, challenging learning type for self-development, personality-oriented type for self-satisfaction, health activity type for youth-oriented, and family type for relationship communication. In the selected cases, each type of lifestyle could be found, which was revealed through small differences in the joint program and spatial composition. The difference was creating different lifestyles, and the seniors were living a slightly different life in it. This study is the beginning of basic research on customized cohousing. There are still not many lifestyle-specific co-housings. Therefore, the lack of objective criteria in the case selection process is a limitation of this study as there is a limit to the investigation. The presented case is from the West, and there are some limitations to the situation in Korea, and additional research is needed. It is hoped that this study can serve as basic data for the preparation of customized housing alternatives for the ever-increasing new elderly generation.

A multi-suckling system combined with an enriched housing environment during the growing period promotes resilience to various challenges in pigs

Little is known about the impact of social and environmental enrichment on improving livestock resilience, i.e. the ability to quickly recover from perturbations. We evaluated the effect of an alternative housing system (AHS) on resilience of pigs, as compared to conventional housing (CONV). The AHS consisted of multi-litter housing during lactation, delayed weaning, extra space allowance and environmental enrichment at all times. We assessed recovery to a 2 h-transport challenge, an LPS injection, 2 h-heat stress and a biopsy wound in 96 pigs. Additionally, indicators of long-term “wear and tear” on the body were determined. AHS pigs had better physiological recoveries with quicker returns to baseline in the transport and LPS challenges, showed lower cortisol accumulation in hairs and lower variance in weight gain over the experimental period compared to conventionally-housed (CONV) pigs. They also had higher levels of natural antibodies binding KLH than CONV pigs. Their response to heat stress revealed a different strategy compared to CONV pigs. Taken together, AHS pigs appear to be more resilient and experience less chronic stress. Enhancing welfare by provision of social and environmental enrichment that better meets the behavioural needs of pigs seems to be a promising approach to improve their resilience.

Environmental impact mitigation potential of increased resource use efficiency in industrial egg production systems

Much of the global egg industry is currently transitioning from conventional cage to alternative (i.e. enriched cage, single- and multi-tier free run, free range, and organic) housing systems. While this transition is primarily motivated by animal welfare concerns, it also has significant potential to alter the environmental footprint of egg production, which is the fastest growing livestock sector worldwide. Understanding the benefits, impacts and improvement opportunities characteristic of alternative systems is hence imperative to ensuring net-positive sustainability outcomes. This requires attention to current resource efficiency levels, key variables that influence efficiency, as well as the environmental impact mitigation potential of efficiency gains for specific interventions and housing systems.The current analysis reports a joint application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to industrial egg production systems based on a large data set collected from egg production facilities in Canada. It was found that egg farms are generally operating at high levels of efficiency relative to one another with respect to feed and pullet inputs per tonne of eggs produced both within and between housing system types. DEA results suggest that feed and pullet inputs could decrease across all housing systems between 3.55% and 13.22%, which translated to environmental impacts reductions of up to 17.27%. Least shrinkage and selection operator models were unable to identify key drivers of efficiency for any system except enriched colony housing where an increase in lay cycle length of 1 day was associated with minor increases in efficiency, and the use of brown birds was associated with a 0.95% decrease in efficiency. Further research is necessary to determine key drivers of efficiency that may represent priority strategies for farmers to increase efficiency and decrease environmental impacts.Scenario analyses were used to calculate the cumulative environmental impacts of egg production assuming different distributions of production across housing systems and that DEA-efficient conditions are realized for all farms in each scenario. In all scenarios, 0% of production was attributed to conventional cages, reflecting a complete transition away from conventional production systems over time. The most likely of these scenarios, which included large increases in proportions of enriched and multi-tier free run housing, and moderate increases in free-range and organic housing, exhibited between 90.3% and 100.1% of current (i.e. non DEA-efficient) levels of environmental impacts.

Effects of a Multi-Suckling System Combined With Enriched Housing Post-Weaning on Response and Cognitive Resilience to Isolation.

Improving welfare is still a critical issue in pig husbandry. Upgrades of the housing environment seem to be a promising solution to optimise resilience as a whole, and therefore improve animal welfare. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an alternative housing system to enhance cognitive resilience and also to promote the pigs' welfare. A total of 96 piglets from two contrasted housing systems [alternative housing system (AHS) vs. conventional system (CONV)] was used. The major upgrades of the alternative system were multi-litter housing during lactation, delayed weaning, extra space allowance, and environmental enrichment from birth onwards. To estimate welfare, weight, and feed intake (as a general indicator of performances), the tear staining area (as a chronic stress indicator), behavioural postures, heart rate traits, and saliva cortisol concentration were measured over a 21 h-isolation. To assess cognitive resilience, the pigs were subjected to a maze with a social reward both before and after the isolation challenge and indicators of cognitive abilities were followed. The AHS pigs showed lower cortisol levels and tear staining area before the challenge, demonstrating overall better welfare due to the alternative housing conditions. During the challenge, AHS pigs had a lower heart rate, higher heart rate variability, and higher vagal activity than the CONV pigs, which might indicate a reduced sensitivity to the stressor. AHS pigs appeared to have a better long-term memory tested in a maze. Providing social and environmental enrichments, that fit the satisfaction of the essential needs of the pigs better, appears to be beneficial for pig welfare as a whole. Its effects on cognitive resilience still need to be proven.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Contributions of Improved Housing Performances Toward Delivering Sustainable Development Goals by a Building Energy Simulation Tool

In 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was adopted by all United Nations Member States. The indoor environment of residences affects the health of occupants regarding SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Meanwhile, a vast amount of energy is used to supply power to houses worldwide, which emit sufficient volumes of CO2 and affect climate change regarding SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). A key step to delivering on these SDGs is improving the thermal insulation of houses and housing equipment performance to reduce energy consumption and protect the health of the occupants by improving the indoor environment. This study presents an evaluation method for quantifying the contribution of improving housing performance toward delivering the SDGs. The proposed approach is primarily based on the results of heat load simulations. Meanwhile, blood pressure is predicted as an indicator of health by using the interior environment obtained by the simulation. A case study was performed, and the results demonstrated the effectiveness of improving the housing performance of newly constructed houses compared to heating and retrofit. The proposed method is versatile and can be adjusted for application to alternative locations, house designs, and lifestyles.

A model proposal development study for adults with intellectual disabilities in Turkey compared to USA

Intellectual disability (ID) persists from birth through adulthood and aging. Thus, the support provided to individuals with intellectual disabilities (IwID) in adulthood is essential to increase their self-determination and quality of life. This research aimed to determine how IwID may receive support for education, working life, accommodation, and leisure in adulthood in the Turkish context by increasing their and their families’ quality of life without socially discriminating against them. Qualitative data were collected in two stages, combining semi-structured interviews and the Delphi study technique. Results prompted the recommendation that a legal basis for transition-to-adulthood planning be established in Turkey for a functional adult service model. Next, a model with specific standards by which multidisciplinary experts analyse education, work, leisure, and housing alternatives for preadulthood and adulthood should be developed and coordinated by the Turkish Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Family. Implications for the future are further discussed.

Towards a Smart Community Welfare as a response to the housing emergency

The implementation of a social housing network requires the adoption of welfare policies within a shared national regulatory framework, as well as new organisational, design and community models, enabled by the pervasiveness of ICT, in order to allow a paradigm shift in the dualistic structure of the real estate market. Following an analysis conducted on several levels and the involvement of local social housing authorities, we identified guidelines that are both programmatic – in the context of policies for the home – and project-related – regarding the physical and digital space, able to foster peculiar social-care relationships. In this perspective, the integration of the domains considered (smart, community, welfare) could promote an alternative social housing network.

Housing challenges in sinking coastal city: rethinking urban housing in subsidence area for a more resilient community

Housing in coastal cities is facing complex environmental hazards. The risk of being permanently submerged caused by sea level rise-related flooding is aggravated by the localized hazards, which is land subsidence. We explored the land subsidence conditions in the housing zone of Semarang City using overlay spatial analysis, and we expand the discussion to the regulatory aspect and local adaptation through content analysis. We found that challenges in housing zone are the severe subsidence that is occurring on dense housing zone, regulation that still less sensitive towards incorporating the slow onset disaster and not properly provided housing hydrological consideration nor the water provision, and poor drainage system as well as limited adaptation capacity that makes people lives in a false harmony of being resilient. Affordable alternative housing such as stilt house and drainage infrastructure improvement as well as detailing and reframing building regulation that is adequate to address both subsidence and flooding is undeniably important to ensure the adequate housing is accessible for all coastal city residents.

LIBERALIZATION OF RELATIONS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION HEAT SUPPLY FIELD: BACKGROUND, FIRST RESULTS AND TARIFF CONSEQUENCES

The paper considers prerequisites and consequences analysis of the relations in the heat supply field liberalization process of taking place in the Russian Federation. The article is dedicated to theoretical and practical background for liberalization, which determine the possibility and feasibility of a radical change in the system of relations between participants in the heat energy markets. The authors considered the current forms of using competition mechanisms in heat markets: competition between centralized and decentralized heat supply, competition between heat producers, competition for admission to market entry, quasi-competition based on incentive regulation. The article examines Russian instruments for liberalizing heat energy markets. The authors identified the features of the new (target) model of the heat energy market formation and changes in the spheres of responsibility of its individual subjects, including the strengthening of the institution of unified heat supply organizations. Separately, the authors assessed the price (tariff) consequences of the transition to pricing for thermal energy using the “no more expensive than alternative sources of heat” method. This method provides for setting a contractual price for heat energy not higher than a ceiling level that the regulator approves based on the cost of heat supply from an “alternative” heat source (boiler house). The authors investigated changes in prices (tariffs) for heat energy for consumers in municipalities pioneering the transition to price zones of heat supply. The article reveals that the establishment of a tariff by the "alternative boiler house" method did not effect to a sharp rise in prices (tariffs) for consumers. This is based on the application of measures provided for by legislation. In conclusion, the authors made recommendations on further expanding the composition of price zones for heat supply.

Legal Aspects of Social Infrastructure for Housing and Care for the Elderly—The Case of Slovenia

On 17 June 2021, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a Bill on Long-term Care. This legislative activity also raised the question of the existence and effectiveness of a legal environment to promote social infrastructure development for housing and care of older adults. Social infrastructures include the facilities in which long-term care services are provided. Therefore, the new legislative proposal also raised the issue of the regulation of this social infrastructure and the housing and care solutions as a part of the social infrastructure since they benefit individuals and communities. Furthermore, in line with the growing trend towards deinstitutionalisation, the legal environments should enhance alternative housing solutions for the elderly. The purpose of this article is to describe the foundations of the social infrastructure for older adults and examine the legal basis for its provision. The research belongs to legal geography studies, which means that the substance of laws and materialisation in space are considered. We identified two primary spatial–legal barriers to overcome, which are (a) the separate treatment of the housing and health aspects and (b) the absence of the guarantee schemes for the construction of housing-with-care solutions. The results would be helpful for the optimal organisation of integrated care, which individual research groups in Slovenia are studying.

Systematic Literature Review to Identify the Critical Success Factors of the Build-to-Rent Housing Model

The current young generation in Australia is increasingly facing issues around housing, and the demand for affordable and personalised housing alternatives to suit the needs of the younger population has given rise to a variety of housing options. The Build-to-Rent (BTR) housing supply model is one such option that was recently introduced with the aim to provide diversity and choice within the private rental sector (PRS). Although the idea of building housing infrastructure to rent is not new, the formalisation of the BTR concept is currently underway and requires a comprehensive understanding of the various factors influencing its successful adoption. With the introduction of big market players such as institutional investors, understanding the critical success factors (CSFs) for producing successful BTR projects is crucial for its adoption as a feasible option for housing provision, especially for the younger population. Through a systematic literature review approach using the Web of Science and Scopus databases, recent literature from 2011 to 2021 were reviewed to identify CSFs related to the BTR housing model. These CSFs help distinguish the BTR paradigm within the general housing market system. A total of 32 CSFs were identified through the review process. Major factors relate to investors’ interest and willingness, affordability, and housing reforms and awareness. These CSFs identify the key areas of interest within the BTR research which can help create a comprehensive understanding of the current BTR scheme, along with providing a baseline for future research.

PEMILIHAN TEMPAT KOS MENGGUNAKAN ALGORITMA SIMPLE ADDITIVE WEIGHTING DAN ALGORITMA FUZZY MULTI-ATTRIBUTE DECISION MAKING

Determination of where to live in a newly recognized area is influenced by many factors, including distance, price, facilities, room size, vehicle, house design and vehicle costs. This journal determines the criteria used in choosing a place to live. These criteria are analyzed using simple addtive weighting (saw) algorithm and fuzzy multi-attribute decision making algorithm. The results of the analysis obtained are in the form of location criteria to determine the most suitable boarding place because the presence of boarding houses around public facilities is expected for newcomers to a new area. With the advancement of information technology, it can answer the need for finding a boarding house, and will be of great help both from the side of the owner and tenant. And not only that, with this internet technology, prospective tenants can also choose a boarding house according to their wishes. Planning a system that can assist in determining temporary housing is needed by tenants in finding housing that fits the desired criteria. By making an SPK (Decision Support System) Selection of Boarding House is expected to help solve the problem of alternative housing. Therefore we need a website that makes a decision support system to determine temporary

Determinants of the adoption of tiny houses and their role in alleviating housing shortages in Germany

<abstract> <p>The lack of affordable housing and the considerable negative environmental impact of the housing sector pose significant challenges for policymakers. Tiny houses have been proposed as a potential solution, but there is still limited understanding of consumer behaviour and attitudes towards such solutions. This study looked at the adoption of tiny houses in Germany by applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a theoretical framework to explore demographic and socio-economic factors, motivations, and barriers for living in tiny houses. Data was collected through interviews and an online survey. The results showed a statistically significant positive relationship between intention to live in a tiny house and age, and a significant negative relationship between intention and current accommodation size. Main motivations found in this research were sustainability, cost reduction, freedom, minimalism, mobility, and a sense of community. The main barriers included legal restrictions and a negative perception of minimalism. The lessons learned from this research were: (1) COVID-19 had a negative impact on about 40% of participants, but a statistically significant positive impact on those who were already interested in small houses. (2) Although tiny houses located in cities would be preferable to meet the need for well-connected, high-density housing solutions for young and elderly people and to alleviate the housing shortage, most people seem to be interested in rather rural tiny houses. (3) Minimalism is both a motivator and a barrier to interest in tiny houses, but with a societal shift towards sustainability could become more of a motivator. (4) Interest in tiny homes often builds on financial constraints and limited alternative housing options. (5) The Theory of Planned Behaviour proved to be a sound theoretical framework for this research.</p> </abstract>

Poultry biodiversity for alternative farming systems development

Poultry biodiversity represents a key factor to improve poultry resilience and promote sustainable and low input farming systems. The EU and member states promote protection of livestock biodiversity and the development of alternative farming through funding projects such as “Local Chicken Breeds in Alternative Production Chain: Welfare, Quality and Sustainability” (funded by the Italian Ministry of Research and University). The aim of the present research was to identify among five different poultry genotypes Bionda Piemontese (BP), Robusta Maculata (RM), RM x Sasso (RMxS), BP x Sasso (BPxS) and a commercial hybrid (Ross 308) the best suitable breed in terms of productivity and welfare for alternative housing system. A total of 300 (60 x genotype), 21 days old male birds were randomly allotted in two housing systems: 1) standard intensive farming (controlled environment, 33 kg/m2 and standard diet) and 2) free-range (“natural” environmental conditions, 21 kg/m2, access to outdoor area and low-input diet). Slaughtering was performed at 81 days of age. During the trial, the productive performance and behaviour of the animals were evaluated. The housing system, the genotype and their interaction significantly affected many of the studied variables, showing broiler not the ideal genotype for extensive farming system, which is more suited for low/medium performance strains.

A geography of repoliticisation: Popularising alternative housing models in Oslo

The question of the political has gained renewed relevance in recent years. New movements are challenging what has been called ‘the post-political consensus’ and have facilitated the repoliticisation of a wide range of social, political and cultural phenomena—both on the left and the right. One task for geographers is to understand this repoliticisation spatially. The housing sector is a prime example of how such a repoliticisation occurs. With an emerging global urban housing affordability crisis, housing is becoming an important arena for engaging in emancipatory democratic politics. In this paper, we use Oslo as a case to analyse how housing, which has long been governed through liberal consensus, is being repoliticised. We investigate Oslo's agenda of establishing a ‘third housing sector’ beyond the privatised model, and its role in popularising alternative models in housing. We focus on the mobilisation and rearticulation of the genealogy of failure of housing in Oslo and the alternative housing solutions brought together in the city. Discussing the emerging geographical referencescape of housing as a distinctly spatial process of politicisation we show how arguments and positions gain legitimacy by situating references to other situations and places in a multiplicity of local and foreign arenas.

Economics of savings-based finance: an interest-free model of rotating savings and credit association in Turkey

PurposeThe emerging markets have been witnessing a remarkable revival of rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) serving as alternative informal financing and investment platforms, also known as savings-based finance (SBF) in Turkey. The purpose of this study is to present the SBF model mathematically, analyse the performance of the SBF sector and propose a new Sharīʿah-compliant SBF model for the acquisition of durables.Design/methodology/approachThe paper thoroughly reviews the concept and practice of ROSCA across the globe, mathematically models and empirically analyses the performance of Turkish SBF companies using a unique data set.FindingsThe study formulates a two-person SBF model and proposes a Mudarabah-Wakalah hybrid model with a new investment feature. It is found that the concept of ROSCA is being operationalized in 105 countries across the globe under different names with slight business model modifications. The research also reveals that the demand for financing of durables in Turkey significantly increased in recent years with the demand for housing is twice greater compared to vehicles. Most importantly, a strong significant inter- and intra-comovement is observed between these durables implying that the success of the sector in one segment has attracted the customers to other SBF products. It shows that the SBF institutions can effectively serve as the alternative financing houses for pooling savings and financing the durables, and they have strong potential to capture a larger financial market share in Turkey and even globally.Originality/valueThe study constructs mathematical models and proposes a new investment wing to an existing SBF wealth fund.

Microvillage: assessing the viability of increasing supply of affordable, sustainable and socially integrated small homes

This paper describes a project exploring the viability in Australia of increasing the supply of small, affordable housing to those with limited income and wealth and a desire to live in homes that integrate with the community in meaningful ways and minimise consumption of building materials, land and energy. The research context is the increasing marketing and media coverage of tiny homes, which has prompted questions about whether such houses can offer an alternative affordable housing model. The project focused on four key issues: community integration, building and design, regulatory planning barriers, and financing and affordability. A combination of interviews, focus groups, and system thinking workshops was used to collect the views of stakeholders across the housing sector, including potential residents. Results indicate that a radical shift is needed from the planning authorities, housing supply and finance sector to enable the provision of affordable and sustainable compact homes that are adaptable to all stages of life.