Housing Construction Research Articles

The role of highland bamboo species (Oldeania alpina) non-timber forest products in household income and house construction in Masha district, Southern Ethiopia

The role of highland bamboo species (Oldeania alpina) non-timber forest products in household income and house construction in Masha district, Southern Ethiopia

Improved adaptive genetic algorithm for dynamic multi-specification one-dimensional cutting problem

Rebar is an essential material in the construction of bridges and houses. Rebar cutting is an important link in rebar processing, but it is usually completed by manual experience, which is not only time-consuming, but also causes serious waste and reduces the economic benefits. As the country vigorously promotes the green construction method, the traditional rebar cutting method is difficult to meet the development requirements. So dynamic multi-specification one-dimensional cutting problem is studied in this paper. A mathematical model aiming at the maximum utilization rate of raw material is established, and an improved adaptive genetic algorithm is proposed. Large-scale, small-scale, single-specification masterbatch and multi-specification masterbatch are selected for simulation experiments, respectively. The results show that the proposed algorithm can deal with both large- and small-scale multi-specification or single-specification masterbatch cutting problems. Moreover, the algorithm has good performance in solving accuracy and convergence speed, which verifies its feasibility, effectiveness, and stability. Finally, aiming at the problem of dynamic insertion of orders, one-dimensional cutting software is developed, rapid and real-time cutting of rebars is realized, and the utilization rate of building rebars is improved, which plays a positive role in promoting the high-quality development of construction industries such as bridges.

Corrugated veneer panel thermophysical properties

The article substantiates the need to develop new mechanisms for the hardwood use in modern conditions of Republic of Karelia timber industry. One of the potential uses of birch wood in wooden house construction is building materials production from veneer and slab materials based on it. A large amount of associated waste from processing birch wood into veneer stands out as one of the key problems. A new slab joinery and construction material made of corrugated birch veneer is considered. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the thermophysical properties of a corrugated board made of birch wood. To achieve this goal, the tasks and methods of research are defined. An experimental device has been developed to conduct an experiment to determine the values of thermophysical characteristics. DS18B20 temperature sensors were used to measure the surface temperature, as well as to monitor device operation and the room air temperature. The sensors are connected to the Arduino microcontroller platform, which was used to record and transmit sensor readings. Additionally, the course of the experiment was monitored using a thermal imager Testo 875-1i. During the experiment, more than 1000 measurements were carried out. As a result of data processing, a diagram of the dependence of the density of the heat flux passing through the sample on time, as well as diagrams of the dependence of thermal conductivity and thermal resistance on the temperature difference on the sample surfaces, was obtained. The diagrams show the regression dependences of changes in heat flux density, thermal conductivity and thermal resistance during measurements. The values of the heat flux density, thermal conductivity coefficient and thermal resistance calculated on the basis of regression equations and the values obtained experimentally are determined. The directions of further research of the material under consideration are determined.

Can Economic Fact-Checking Remedy Incorrect Beliefs About Housing Markets?

Supply skepticism is the widely held belief that building more market-rate housing does not help reduce housing prices. Why is supply skepticism a problem, and what is likely to be publicly engaged scholars’ best approach to correcting it? Been et al. have been the leading scholars bringing attention to the phenomenon, and have compiled new economic evidence that increasingly demonstrates that market-rate housing construction reduces housing prices. Will the skeptics who deny the operation of supply and demand in housing markets be persuaded? This seems unlikely. Engaged policy elites who question the benefit of additional housing supply already have well-formed views that are unlikely to be converted by recent, incremental discoveries about housing supply’s price effects. At first glance, the lay public also appears to be supply-skeptical, but their beliefs are only weakly held and unstable. Instead of clear beliefs about markets (skeptical or otherwise), people hold “folk-economic” views that personalize market interactions and blame “bad actors” for high housing prices. They support state housing policies that would punish putative bad actors (e.g., developers, landlords, and Wall Street investors) while showing only tepid and unstable support for building additional market-rate housing. The silver lining for pro-supply advocates is that the average voter’s poorly formed views about housing markets might be susceptible to education and persuasion campaigns that can effectively simplify current research findings.

Utilization of Fly Ash and Quarry Dust as a Partial Replacement of Cement and Sand along with Waste Plastic in Paving Blocks

The rapid development of housing and infrastructure from last one decade continuously takes place in India. Along with that naturally, the product required to overcome this development produce in mass quantities like Pavement blocks, which are known as industrial products of precast made up by concrete, having various shapes and sizes utilizes in huge quantity in housing and infrastructure construction. The conventional materials to manufacturing these blocks utilize in large quantity, which may create an impact on natural recourses. Paver blocks unit generally used for diverse traffic classes i.e., Non-traffic, Light-traffic, Medium-traffic, Heavy-traffic and really important traffic. Most concrete block paving created in country has performed satisfactorily but there are two main areas of concern: occasional failure thanks to excessive surface wear, and variability inside the strength of blocks. To overcome this impact, we can use different materials such as, Fly Ash, Quarry Dust, Waste Plastic’s, etc. Fly ash and Quarry dust are the industrial outgrowth which we used in these projects. Using these byproducts, the pollution and disposal problems of materials be reduced. Concrete paving blocks are exemplary materials on the footpaths for easy laying, better look and finish. Key Words: Conventional materials, Compressive strength, tensile strength, workability.

Appraising the potentials of reusing plastic bottles as building blocks for housing construction at Paipe village Abuja Nigeria

Plastic bottles package a multitude of commodities consumed worldwide. Upon consumption of the commodity, the disposed plastic bottles accumulate as waste, having impacts on both the aquatic and terrestrial environment. In a bid to convert such waste to wealth, plastic bottles are creatively reused for different applications, such as pedestrian bridge boats and street furniture, amongst others. Another application of reusing plastic bottles is their serving as building blocks for housing construction. Reports and research in Nigeria confirm the proliferation of plastic bottles littering the environment, which if reused in housing construction has the potential to contribute to achieving both UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11 (making human settlements sustainable) and 12 (ensuring sustainable consumption and production). Although Nigeria is traced to being the first country in Africa to reuse plastic bottles in housing construction, not much research output exists from practitioners’ experience on the potentials of reusing plastic bottles as a sustainable construction material as practiced in countries like Vietnam, India, and the Philippines, among others. As such, this study investigates the potential factors driving the practice of reusing plastic bottles in Nigeria with a view to ascertaining the satisfaction derived from the practice for sustainable housing construction. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire from 41 respondents identified as having experience in using plastic bottles in construction (5 staffs of Awonto Konsult as well as 36 staffs of Brains and Hammers Construction). Data was analysed descriptively using both IBM SPSS Statistics 23 as well as MS Excel to compute the Mean Score as well as the Relative Satisfaction Index (RSI). Only 30 questionnaires were successfully retrieved and fully answered. Amongst the 10 potential factors studied driving reusing plastic bottles, results show that almost all respondents tend to be ‘satisfied’ with both ‘strength and stability’ (having a Mean Value of 4.70 and RSI of 0.94) as well as ‘durability’ (having a Mean Value of 4.50; RSI of 0.90) of buildings built with plastic bottles. These two factors recorded the highest ‘satisfaction’ ratings, leaning towards ‘very satisfied’. Regarding the factor ‘fire resistance’ of buildings built with plastic bottles (having a Mean Value of 3.40; RSI of 0.68), results reveal that 50 percent of the respondents are ‘unsure’ if it is a satisfactory factor driving reusing plastic bottles or not. The study found that the satisfaction ratings of technical and environmental factors have higher appeal to respondents compared to health and safety and also financial factors. It is recommended that Awonto Konsult and also Brains and Hammers Construction invest more in information related to the fire resistance of plastic bottles used in construction because fire outbreaks pose great threats to buildings. Equally, wider empirical research on plastic bottle wastes, if undertaken, could support the development of policies for waste management, particularly in developing countries. This research has the potential to convert waste into wealth in a bid to minimising environmental impacts of disposed plastic bottles as well as contribute to sustainable materials, particularly for rural housing. Since this study was based on a survey, experimental studies of potentials driving the reuse of plastic bottles in housing construction will reveal results that could enable more sustainable housing construction in Nigeria.

Pathological changes on the skin due to the combined effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ultraviolet radiation

Introduction. In the National Healthcare Project, one of the key areas is the federal project "Fight against oncological diseases for 2019-2024". The influence of the nature of work activities of workers in contact with industrial carcinogens — polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) significantly increases the risk of skin neoplasms, as evidenced by differences in the frequency of their occurrence among representatives of different labor categories. The leading factor in the development of skin neoplasms is ultraviolet radiation (UV) of the A and B spectrum. There is literature evidence of a possible mutual enhancement of the combined effects of PAHs and UV in the occurrence of skin neoplasms and their malignancy. The study aims to evaluate the role of the combined effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the occurrence of pigmented skin tumors in workers engaged in the construction of highways and highways and in housing and communal services. Materials and methods. During periodic medical examinations (PMEs) in 2022–2024, specialists have examined 140 people who formed 4 study groups. The researchers have conducted a physical examination of skin tumors; examination in the rays of a Wood lamp; dermatoscopy of skin tumors using a Heine Delta 20 dermatoscope. Hyperpigmentation was assessed according to the hyperpigmentation area and severity index (NASI). Results. During the clinical examination, the authors assessed the presence of pigmentation and skin neoplasms (lentigo, ephelides, seborrheic keratomas). The most frequent localizations of pigmentation and skin neoplasms were open areas of the body: face, hands, upper third of the back. At the same time, in asphalt concrete workers — group I, working under the influence of PAHs and solar insolation (spectrum A and B, in the range of 320–400 nm and 280–320 nm), specialists revealed pigmented neoplasms in a larger number of individuals compared with the population control for all skin localizations. The HASI index (in the surveyed groups) showed that the highest rates (24–48) of HASI were observed in a larger number of individuals — 57.1% — from group I (UV+PAHs), compared with groups of individuals (II, III, IV) who do not work under conditions of exposure to solar insolation (spectra A and B, in the range of 320–400 nm and 280–320 nm). The authors noted that the intensity of pigmentation is higher and the lesion area is larger when assessing the foci of hyperpigmentation in the rays of the Wood lamp compared with the clinical examination in all the examined groups. Limitations. The study is limited by the number of subjects examined, corresponding to the design of the study and the time interval of the study. Conclusion. To obtain objective results of the study of the role of the combined effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and ultraviolet irradiation (UV) in the occurrence of pigmented skin tumors, scientists used a method for determining the hyperpigmentation area index and severity index (HASI) in the rays of a Wood's lamp. When comparing the results obtained, experts revealed an increase in the area of hyperpigmentation and its intensity with localization in open areas of the body in workers engaged in the construction of highways and housing and communal services, in contact with the combined effects of carcinogens (PAHs) and ultraviolet irradiation (UV A and B). Further in-depth studies are needed to study the etiopathogenesis of photogenotoxicity depending on the dose-effect ratio. Ethics. The work was performed in accordance with the ethical standard set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association of 1964 (as amended and supplemented in 2013). The authors conducted all the studies after receiving informed consent and a decision of the Local Ethics Committee (extract from Protocol No. 7 dated 10/21/2020).

Evaluation of natural radioactivity levels and radiation hazards of Nkalagu limestone deposit, southeastern Nigeria.

Levels of natural radioactivity due to 40K, 232Th, and 226Ra in limestone deposits and corresponding surface soil samples from the Nkalagu community of Ebonyi State were investigated. Gamma spectroscopic analysis using a NaI (TI) detector was employed to measure the activity concentrations (ACs) of the natural radionuclides in the collected samples. The average AC of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was found to be 64.62 ± 11.63, 54.27 ± 8.52, and 313.06 ± 25.33Bq/kg, respectively, in limestone, whereas in the soil, the value was 60.80 ± 11.71, 44.97 ± 10.74, and 185.90 ± 18.20Bq/kg, respectively. Except for 40K, the obtained mean ACs of the radionuclides were in excess of the worldwide averages reported by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The mean value of Raeq, Hex, Hin, Iγ, and AUI was obtained as 166.33Bq/kg, 0.45, 0.62, 1.18, and 1.28, respectively, in the limestone, and 139.42Bq/kg, 0.38, 0.54, 0.98, and 1.12, respectively, in the surface soil. The radiation doses in limestone ranged from 120.78-168.89 nGyh-1 and 63.86-88.88 nGyh-1 for indoor and outdoor, respectively, whereas in the soil, the range was 104.47-129.77 nGyh-1 and 54.60-68.02 nGyh-1 for indoor and outdoor, respectively. The total annual effective dose ranged from 0.671 to 0.937 mSvy-1 with an average of 0.800 mSvy-1 in limestone and 0.579 to 0.720 mSvy-1 with an average of 0.667 mSvy-1 in the soil. Values of representative gamma index and activity utilization index, and indoor and outdoor radiation doses in limestone were above the recommended world average of ≤ 1, and 84 nGyh-1 and 59 nGyh-1, respectively, suggesting a restriction in the use of the limestone in construction of houses. The study therefore recommends that the use of limestone in building construction, especially in house interiors, should be discontinued.

Prefab: New Technologies and Prospects of the Construction Industry

Statement of the problem. The main factors in the construction industry are: the cost of the project, its duration and uniqueness. Their achievement is facilitated by the currently developing pre-fabrication, the essence of which is reduced to the factory or factory manufacture of parts with their subsequent assembly into structural elements, modules and objects in general. At the same time, technologies, organization of construction and management of prefab processes have not been worked out to date. Results. A systematic review of the implementation of buildings using prefab technology with high factory readiness is proposed. An overview of modules that can be integrated into on-site projects with less waste and higher quality control compared to projects that use a traditional type of construction is provided. The difference between the prefab method and the modular assembly of a construction object is emphasized. An overview of the prefab products currently on the market is given. Conclusions. The article substantiates the directions of improving the quality of manufactured buildings inherent in prefab technologies, as well as the environmental friendliness and energy efficiency of this technology. A fragment of a BIM model with a calendar and construction schedule for the construction of a prefab house, prefab technologies used in Russia and in particular in Novosibirsk, is presented.

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of high-rise flats built using prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC)

PurposeThere has been an increasing use of prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) in the construction of high-rise flats to enhance productivity and sustainability, but there have been little studies to evaluate if the use of PPVC satisfies construction quality and overall satisfaction with the flat. This study aims to evaluate how homeowners perceive living in PPVC flats after they have moved into their homes. This is done with a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) looking at total building performance (TBP) mandates covering spatial performance (SP), acoustics performance (AP), visual performance (VP), indoor air quality performance (IAQP) and thermal performance (TP).Design/methodology/approachData were collected through the use of a survey questionnaire which was developed based on literature review. The data gathered from 145 respondents were then analysed quantitatively using Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), Microsoft Excel and Comma-Separated Values (CSV) files. The data analysed were further validated through the use of interviews with industry professionals.FindingsBased on descriptive and inferential statistics, the key findings of this study are that most respondents are satisfied with their PPVC flats in terms of quality of construction, satisfaction, IAQP, TP, AP and VP. However, they are less satisfied with the interior of their PPVC flats.Originality/valueThis is the first ever POE in the world conducted with homeowners living in high-rise flats built using PPVC. The findings from the study highlighted homeowners’ concerns regarding the quality of construction, SP, and AP, particularly in the interior areas of the flats, and underscores the importance of considering homeowners' experiences and perceptions in the design and construction of PPVC housing.

Implementasi Perizinan Pendirian Rumah Ibadah Kota Surabaya

This research is motivated by how the licensing of the construction of houses of worship to the applicant, this research needs to be done to find out how the implementation of licensing the establishment of houses of worship in the city of Surabaya through various stakeholders such as FKUB, KEMENAG, BAKESBANGPOL, and DPRKPP. The theory used in this research is the implementation theory of Marilee S. Grindle and this theory is measured by two dimensions and nine indicators. The policy content dimension has indicators including the interests that influence, the type of benefits, the degree of change to be achieved, the location of decision making, program implementation, and the sources of resources used. The implementation environment dimension includes three indicators including the power, interests and strategies of the actors involved, the characteristics of the ruling institutions and regimes, and the level of compliance and response from implementers. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method. The results showed that the implementation of licensing for the establishment of houses of worship in Surabaya City can be said to be less successful, this is indicated by 99 houses of worship that get recommendations but only 3 places of worship that take care of their IMB, where 2 worship services have obtained IMB status and 1 house of worship needs to take care of the files to be re-submitted.

Evolution of the Planning Paradigm and Urban Design of Housing Complexes in the Context of Changing Challenges in Ukraine: Case of Lviv

The study provides a retrospective of the housing development in Lviv and the factors that affected it. Using the general process of housing evolution, the study focuses on the impact of the war as a catalyst that influenced the demand and volume of housing construction over the last decade. Moreover, it reflects the unprecedented demographic shift driven by the number of IDPs in Ukraine since the beginning of 2022. The study demonstrates that, due to the increased demand for housing, the approaches to the design of housing have changed in recent years, defining a new type of urban unit called a housing complex. The study aims to identify and examine the genesis and characteristics of the modern planning paradigm and urban design of residential architecture in Lviv in the context of shifting conditions. Spatial and urban characteristics, social indicators, resident focus, and urban influence evaluate the studied objects. The study results demonstrate key differences in planning philosophies and approaches to designing and constructing new housing, identifying qualitative differences between housing of the previous and current paradigms. A detailed examination and comparison of the studied complexes in Lviv reveals changes in the approach to their planning, reflecting the evolution from the inherited modernist approach to housing to the creation of sustainable planning. It also aims to determine the quality of Lviv's modern housing environment and the vector of its development.

Evolution of the Planning Paradigm and Urban Design of Housing Complexes in the Context of Changing Challenges in Ukraine: Case of Lviv

The study provides a retrospective of the housing development in Lviv and the factors that affected it. Using the general process of housing evolution, the study focuses on the impact of the war as a catalyst that influenced the demand and volume of housing construction over the last decade. Moreover, it reflects the unprecedented demographic shift driven by the number of IDPs in Ukraine since the beginning of 2022. The study demonstrates that, due to the increased demand for housing, the approaches to the design of housing have changed in recent years, defining a new type of urban unit called a housing complex. The study aims to identify and examine the genesis and characteristics of the modern planning paradigm and urban design of residential architecture in Lviv in the context of shifting conditions. Spatial and urban characteristics, social indicators, resident focus, and urban influence evaluate the studied objects. The study results demonstrate key differences in planning philosophies and approaches to designing and constructing new housing, identifying qualitative differences between housing of the previous and current paradigms. A detailed examination and comparison of the studied complexes in Lviv reveals changes in the approach to their planning, reflecting the evolution from the inherited modernist approach to housing to the creation of sustainable planning. It also aims to determine the quality of Lviv's modern housing environment and the vector of its development.

Multi-functional additively constructed honeycomb walls for housing and sheltering

Honeycomb designs have become increasingly popular in additive manufacturing due to their great mechanical properties. The honeycomb infill pattern has allowed the creation of lightweight objects without sacrificing the strength of solid objects. Honeycombs have been utilized in different applications, including architecture, aerospace, and automotive. However, there is a lack of honeycomb designs within the construction industry. With the growth of concrete additive construction, there is an opportunity to introduce honeycomb designs into construction practices. This paper proposes a methodology for manufacturing multi-functional walls through additive construction. The methodology includes several key steps, from material development and quality control testing to wall assembly and experimental investigation. Two multi-functional wall segments were additively constructed, reaching a height of 1180 mm, a width of 610 mm, and a thickness of 90 mm. These measurements led to the manufacturing of seven distinct cellular sections per wall, comprising three main, two intermediate, and two end cellular units. In addition, a columnar unit was additively constructed for corner connection, featuring two vertical octagonal cells with end brackets. A preliminary wall system made up of honeycomb wall segments was assembled using various additional materials such as sealant, clamping systems, and insulative materials. Furthermore, an additional wall segment with end connections was designed and manufactured to test its load-carrying capacity. The wall segment performed well compared to wooden stud walls and showed sufficient load-carrying capacity. Unlike traditional un-reinforced concrete structures, which are brittle and experience small plastic deformations before failing, the honeycomb wall structure experienced large plastic deformation before failure due to the use of insulation foam and silicon rubber. The preliminary testing showed that the honeycomb wall system could be an alternative to traditional housing construction, especially for shelters.

Factors Affecting Demands for Development Housing Area in Regency West Lombok

This research aims to analyze the influence of price, income, distance, facilities, and family size in a way that is both damn and simultaneous to request development housing in West Lombok Regency, Labuapi District. The type of research used in this research is an associative quantitative method. Testing was carried out on 43 respondents spread across four housing complexes, namely Grand Muslim Housing, Lingkar Muslim Housing, Lingkar Asri Housing, and Griya Taman Sari Housing. Data was obtained by distributing questionnaires and taking research samples using the purposive sampling method. Results analysis show that, in a way, from the five variables used in this research, there are three variables that have a positive effect and are significant, namely prices with a significant value of 0.001 < 0.05, income with a significant value of 0.000 < 0.05, and facilities with a facility value of 0.038 < 0.05. Meanwhile, the distance variable with a significant value of 0.532 > 0.05 and the number of families with a significant value of 0.668 > 0.05 have an insignificant effect on the demand for housing construction in West Lombok Regency, Labuapi District.

Passive House Design: A Possible Energy Efficient Option in the Building Sector of Nepal

The diversified geography of Nepal creates huge variations in the country's climatic zones; however, the building industry has so far used standardized methods that tend to neglect local climate conditions. Most of these standards then rely on energy-intensive mechanical systems to maintain indoor thermal comfort, without considering more viable and climate-responsive design methods. In this light, the development of a climate classification related to building design will help develop and encourage energy- and climate-effective building architecture in Nepal. The existing energy-saving practice in the building sector of the country is reviewed in this paper, and it outlines ways to improve the adaptation of energy-efficient methodology. It shows that passive houses are performing much better in comparison with modern constructions that are behind in terms of energy efficiency when compared with traditional homes. The study outlines the climate-specific design criteria and methodologies for various regions and sets the path for exploration of the passive house design process challenges and opportunities that might exist for wider diffusion. Also discussed are strategies to overcome the barriers and promote passive house construction, offering a pathway toward sustainable building practices in Nepal.

Comparative Statistical Analysis of Changes in Average Asking Prices for Housing in the Administrative Districts of Moscow

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the residential real estate market in nine administrative districts of Moscow in 2016 and 2024. The paper focuses on the features of housing price formation and considers factors influencing pricing, including socio-economic conditions and transport infrastructure. The study outlines the role of housing construction and the investment attractiveness of various districts of the capital.The authors used official data from Russia's largest real estate technology service (CIAN) on asking prices for apartments for sale depending on their parameters. The article draws on such indicators as the local average price per square meter of the total area of dwellings and the number of offers of apartments for sale. It is shown that apartment prices in two administrative districts (AO) of Moscow have a stable growth trend in 2024, which was not observed in 2016. It is concluded that the real estate markets in the districts of Moscow in 2016 (exception for the Central AO) were strongly differentiated in price offers in 2024, and, therefore, it is incorrect to use the average price per square meter of Moscow residential real estate as a characteristic of housing quality in 2024.The article lists events that influenced changes in the Moscow residential real estate market without specifying the relative strength of their impact. According to the authors, each event had its causes, but their almost simultaneous appearance led to tension in the housing market for all participants.In conclusion, the significant impact of inflation and the restoration of residential premises (after renting) on the growth of residential property values and the potential for using housing as an investment object is emphasized

Innovative housing models to support shared use of space: the case study of Sonnwendviertel Ost in Vienna

Amidst the persistent urban expansion in European cities, the need for high-quality housing for growing populations remains a challenge. Integrating newly developed housing areas into the urban fabric and fostering a distinct local identity pose additional challenges. Despite extensive research in this realm, there exists a gap in the examination of the extent of shared space utilization in new housing developments. This study fills that gap by analyzing the quantity, quality, and diversity of space utilization in new housing projects, focusing on the development processes and maintenance methods. The research, conducted through site and case study analyses of Sonnwendviertel Ost development area in Vienna, underscores that the shared utilization of spaces is closely tied to distinct housing models with varied levels of financing and involvement of diverse actors. Consequently, it provides insights into the housing models and their configurations that best facilitate the development of shared use of spaces in housing construction. This, in turn, is perceived as instrumental in cultivating a more robust neighborhood identity and enhancing the livability of communities, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development.

Inclusionary planning instruments in two Indonesian cities: a missed opportunity to address urban inequalities

With rising urban inequalities worldwide, inclusionary planning instruments can contribute to more just and inclusive cities and societies by making housing accessible to various social groups. Although these instruments have existed for several decades, their implementation has not always been successful. There is a limited understanding of how these instruments contribute to the public good and the reasons for their failure. By examining the implementation of two inclusionary instruments known as the Balanced Housing Ratio 1:2:3 and the ‘Socialization’ Process used to regulate the construction of new housing by the private sector in Jakarta and Yogyakarta (Indonesia), this article provides evidence to better understand the reasons for their failure and gives entry points for policymakers to be able to design and implement inclusive planning instruments that have stronger impact. The research uses qualitative methods for data collection, including semi-structured interviews as the principal method, complemented by observations, a policy review and a workshop for background and contextual information. This in-depth analysis of the challenges to implement inclusionary instruments related to housing development in Indonesia shows that their failure leads to further social and spatial inequality in cities and a shortcoming of the planning system to contribute to the public good.

The Potential of Wood Construction Waste Circularity

Wood construction waste circularity presents enormous potential to significantly de-crease total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the European Union (EU). Latvia could become a frontrunner due to its historic relationship with forestry, wood construction practises and unused potential of the innovative application of wood. This research examines what the potential of “circular wood” in Latvia is, how ready the Latvian wood house construction sector is to engage in a circular economy and wood waste circularity and whether the legal framework is ready to support wood waste management in the country. This study presents a combined approach for systematic wood construction product circularity assessment that includes a review of existing EU and Latvian frameworks for construction and demolition waste (CDW) management and wood construction, a general analysis of wood waste recycling systems and technologies, a quantitative data analysis of construction waste management in Latvia and qualitative data analysis of the Latvian wood house construction sector, and interviews with a focus group of Latvian wood industry representatives. The Latvian scope has allowed us to clarify the pattern methodology and impact points to be replicated, tested and measured further on a broader scale, in other countries, or throughout the whole EU. The main findings reveal a potential life cycle assessment (LCA) verifying the circularity of wood and limitations of wood construction waste circularity in Latvia in terms of wood house construction industry readiness and a legal framework as well as overall social prejudices for circular construction. Findings indicate an overall awareness and level of willingness to participate and engage in the circular construction models among Latvians; however, proactiveness and support (legal and financial) is expected from the government and municipalities. The recommendations point towards improvements in wood waste data management, the wood construction sector and the overall impact on sustainable development goals.