Housing Construction Research Articles

Evaluating Modular House Construction Projects: A Delphi Method Enhanced by Conversational AI

This study focuses on evaluating modular house construction projects, which is a critical segment within sustainable building practices. Despite the significant advantages of modular construction, such as enhanced resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact, existing research often overlooks its unique attributes and constraints. Our objectives were to identify crucial parameters for a comprehensive evaluation of modular construction, particularly emphasizing sustainability, and to explore how an advanced conversational AI tool, ChatGPT, can assist in modular building assessments. We employed the Delphi method to define these parameters and integrated ChatGPT to develop a robust assessment methodology. This approach allowed us to harness AI-driven insights to enrich the evaluation process. Our findings suggest that ChatGPT delivers high-quality results comparable to those produced by experts in modular building assessments. ChatGPT formulated a detailed description of the evaluation scale for each criterion, effectively outlining the guidelines for evaluating modular house projects. To illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed methodology, we applied it to a real-world modular house project in Lithuania, demonstrating how this approach can significantly contribute to advancing sustainable construction practices.

Walter Gropius, history of the IV CIAM Congress, the Charter of Athens and some of its results

The history of the emergence of the idea of multi-story housing construction is described, starting with the project of the experimental settlement of Spandau-Haselhorst by Walter Gropius and the subsequent report of Gropius to the third CIAM congress. The conditions under which the IV CIAM Congress met are shown - the world economic crisis, the strengthening of authoritarianism in the world, the absence of German, American and Soviet architects, as well as opponents of Le Corbusier in other delegations. The history of the IV Congress and the appearance, ten years after it, of two versions of the Athens Charter are described. The differences between José Luis Sert's version and Le Corbusier's version are presented, as well as some results of its implementation. The implementation of ideas, both different from the Athens Charter and its followers, in Great Britain and the place that the construction of multi-storey housing eventually took in the country is described. An example of construction regulation in Germany is given, which makes the construction of multi-story housing economically unprofitable.

A comparative assessment of the capabilities and success of the wood construction industry in Slovakia and Ukraine based on life cycle assessment certification standards

This study assessed the possibility of using wood as a building material for the construction of houses. A comprehensive method was used, which consisted of analysing environmental management regulations, applying the life cycle assessment method to minimise the carbon footprint; using software to calculate the carbon footprint of a wooden house at different stages of the life cycle. The object of study is the carbon footprint of a house built of wood. The Life Cycle Assessment method was used as a methodology for assessing the life cycle. Using the One Click Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost software, the carbon footprint of a log house was calculated for the product life cycle stage mentioned above (A1-A3). When calculating the carbon footprint of wood-based building materials, carbon emissions were taken into account not only from the finished products, but also from all other products obtained as a result of logging. When calculating the carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions from all activities are estimated. We have obtained data on the life cycle cost of a wooden house in terms of electricity use. Accordingly, we obtained a value of global warming potential (A1-A3) of 0.51 kg CO2 e/kWh. We also obtained data on the life cycle cost of a wooden house in terms of diesel consumption. According to the results of the LCA, the value of the global warming potential due to meeting the water supply/sewage needs is (A1-A3) 0.69 kg CO2 e/m3. The value of the global warming potential due to meeting the heat supply needs of production needs is (A1- A3) 0.13 kg CO2 e/kWh. Based on the information obtained, we can conclude that it is advisable to use a wooden log house as a building material, as the carbon footprint is smaller than that of a brick building. The final section presents the results of calculating the life cycle cost of a wooden house by discount factor and inflation, the results of the life cycle cost of a wooden house by percentage of energy costs, and the results of assessing the life cycle cost of a wooden house (displaying parameters according to the European energy certification scale). Based on the carbon footprint assessment (using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology), economic comparison (Life Cycle Cost and total construction costs), and expert assessment (based on technical and ergonomic parameters) of the two construction technologies, the feasibility and possibility of using wood as a building material was established. The study proves the feasibility of applying the LCA method in the construction industry.

Exploring the Use of Lean, Offsite and Simulation in Housing Delivery: Evidence from the UK

The subpar performance of housing construction projects has been attributed to their reliance on traditional construction methods. In response to this issue, numerous innovative approaches, including modern methods of construction (MMC), have been employed to facilitate the execution of housing projects. The present study explores the use of MMC, specifically lean, offsite, and simulation (LOS) techniques, in delivering housing construction projects within the United Kingdom. Employing a qualitative research approach, eighteen relevant stakeholders from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland were interviewed to fulfil the study’s purpose. The findings demonstrate that the integration of LOS techniques is advantageous in the delivery of housing construction projects. Moreover, governmental support, collaboration, leadership, training, stakeholder engagement, and environmental consideration were identified as critical factors facilitating the implementation of LOS in housing project delivery. This study provides valuable insights into the key factors that support the adoption of LOS techniques within the UK context and can serve as a guide for stakeholders in the future use of LOS in the UK housing sector. Furthermore, the empirical and qualitative evidence presented on the application of lean, offsite, and simulation (LOS) in housing delivery in the UK can contribute to efforts to address the country’s housing shortage.

UTJECAJ ODABRANIH MAKROEKONOMSKIH VARIJABLI NA CIJENE STAMBENIH OBJEKATA U HRVATSKOJ

Recognizing the macroeconomic determinants that have a statistically significant influence on the formation of house prices is in the interest of the general public due to its informative effect on various interest groups involved in housing construction. Thus, real estate buyers, investors, as well as local government and self-government units should be interested in this information because monitoring of standard macroeconomic variables can provide conclusions about the possible development of residential property prices. Previously conducted research can be classified into four distinctive categories depending on what they take as determining variables: microelements specific to individual micro location, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, standard macroeconomic variables, or tourism development. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of selected macroeconomic variables on residential property prices in Croatia. This study employs Autometrics, i.e. an automatic computer implementation of general-to-specific VAR (vector autoregressive) modelling framework and quarterly data on real GDP, domestic credit, consumer prices, interest rate, tourist arrivals and house prices in the period from March 2005 to September 2022. Performed Granger causality tests and impulse response functions analysis indicate that an increase in real GDP, domestic credit and tourist arrivals increases house prices in Croatia while an increase in consumer prices and interest rate reduces them.

Identification of Physics Concepts in Tanjung Batu Knock Down House

This research aims to identify the physics concepts present in various components of knock-down houses. Data collection was conducted through interviews, observations, and documentation. The research took place in the village of Tanjung Batu, Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra. The method employed in this study was qualitative research with a descriptive explanatory form. The findings indicate that there are physics principles in several components of knock-down houses. These include the equilibrium of rigid bodies, evident in the stairs and supporting pillars of the house, the concept of torque that occurs when opening and closing windows, the concept of the center of gravity acting on the roof of the house, electrical concepts present in house lights, and the concepts of temperature and heat influenced by the house's materials. Additionally, the concept of measurement is evident in the lengths of the wooden beams used in the construction of the knock-down house. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that knock-down houses represent local wisdom that incorporates physics concepts suitable for educational purposes.

Scheduling The Construction of Low-Income Community Houses in Palu City Using the Probabilistic Duration Method

Scheduling The Construction of Low-Income Community Houses in Palu City Using the Probabilistic Duration Method

Low-temperature sintering of ceramic bricks from clay, waste glass and sand

In the present work, bricks were made on a real 1:1 scale for the construction of housing. For the preparation of the mixtures, raw materials such as clay, sand and glass obtained from the recycling of brown beer containers were used, applying the method plastic molding for the preparation of the semi-products. It has been established that the addition of sand containing a small amount of montmorillonite to such clay enabled to realization of plastic molding. The incorporation of glass into the clay provided to substantially reduce the sintering time of the bricks up to 8h and to vary their strength properties. Sintering was carried out at 800°C in an air atmosphere. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and EDS microanalysis have shown that the raw materials and ceramic bricks contains quartz and feldspars. Low-temperature sintering has made it possible to obtain high-quality, high-strength building bricks in accordance with standards.

On the Path to Urban Deconcentration Housing Construction in the Hinterland Zone of Wrocław at the End of the 20th Century

On the Path to Urban Deconcentration Housing Construction in the Hinterland Zone of Wrocław at the End of the 20th Century

Регулирование земельно-имущественных отношений в сфере комплексного развития территорий

The integrated development of territories is recognized as a type of urban planning activity aimed at creating favorable living conditions and providing a comfortable environment for the population. The article is devoted to the consideration of the implementation of decisions on the integrated development of territories in Blagoveshchensk, the regional center of the Amur region. The paper lists the problems of urban planning and land and property relations in the field of housing construction. It has been established that when implementing investment and construction projects, the interests of the state, owners, developers and many other subjects of the construction market of the region intersect. The effectiveness of investment and construction activities depends on the quality of the interrelation of interests. Stimulating measures for the transition to the integrated development of the territory are noted. Based on the results of the study, the author formulated and made proposals for the regulation of urban development to improve land and property relations in the field of integrated territorial development. An integrated approach and methods of comparison, systematization, and observation were used in the article.

Regulatory islands: a case study in tactical community zoning

Despite the clear environmental and economic benefits of denser forms of housing, the ability to construct such housing remains elusive. Restrictive zoning policies and local coalitions of Not in My Backyard activists make the construction of dense housing within established neighbourhoods a near impossibility in jurisdictions throughout the United States. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how architects might leverage community coalition building and the critical interpretation or ‘hacking’ of local zoning ordinances to realise dense, infill housing projects even within otherwise highly conservative policy environments. Using Pier Vittorio Aureli’s history of settlement form and property rights as an initial contextual framework, the article outlines how infill housing might adopt an alternate view of housing development, subverting the primacy typically assigned to individual private property rights and financial speculation. Sited on an infill lot within one of Lincoln, Nebraska’s older neighbourhoods, the project relies on a non-normative, strategic implementation of a Community Unit Plan zoning mechanism to enlist neighbourhood support and establish higher levels of allowable density. This, in combination with the implementation of a Community Land Trust, allows the project to introduce a greater quantity and diversity of housing types that offer possibilities for home ownership, affordable rental opportunities and even temporary or supportive housing in areas historically dedicated solely to single-family housing models. Ultimately, the significance of the project rests not in its formal novelty but in its demonstration of an immediate and attainable means through which denser forms of housing might be realised.

A theological approach to the construction of houses of worship in Indonesia

A theological approach to the construction of houses of worship in Indonesia

Temporal changes in water quality in Leh Ladakh region: Impact of urbanization

Water is a valuable and limited resource in semi-arid regions like Ladakh. Effective management and conservation of water are crucial to prevent negative consequences on the area's quality of life. Since becoming a Union territory, Leh, a district of Ladakh, has undergone rapid urbanization due to its administrative status, air service facilities, tourism, and increasing population. However, this urbanization and tourism boom have resulted in a higher demand for water and a decline in its quality. Glacial-fed water is the primary source for drinking and agriculture in Ladakh. As Ladakh has become a popular tourist destination, the distribution and quality of water have been negatively affected. Construction of hotels and guest houses on agricultural lands, could further harm Ladakh's fragile ecological environment. Due to the challenging terrain and harsh conditions, there has been limited research on water quality in the region andare confined to the Leh district only. Despite lack of comprehensive information, this review aims to address three important questions: the hydrochemistry of water resources, the impact of urbanization on water quality, and the existing research gap in hydrochemistry in significant areas and water resources. The objective is to establish fundamental data for future research and contribute to a better understanding of water resources in the region.

An Assessment of the Impact of the Protection Zone Regime for Cultural Heritage Sites on the Value of Land for Individual Housing Construction in the Context of a Low-Activity Market

An Assessment of the Impact of the Protection Zone Regime for Cultural Heritage Sites on the Value of Land for Individual Housing Construction in the Context of a Low-Activity Market

ПОТЕНЦИАЛ ЖИЛИЩНОГО СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВА МУНИЦИПАЛЬНЫХ ОБРАЗОВАНИЙ ЛЕНИНГРАДСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ В ПРЕДЕЛАХ САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГСКОЙ АГЛОМЕРАЦИИ

The article presents a quantitative assessment of housing construction potential in the municipalities of the Leningrad Region within the boundaries of the St. Petersburg urban agglomeration. The article is of an applied (empirical) nature. The object of the study is housing construction in the municipalities of the agglomeration part of the Leningrad Oblast, and the subject of the study is the assessment of housing construction potential in the municipalities of the Leningrad Oblast (within the boundaries of the urban agglomeration). The aim of the work was to quantify the potential and territorial reserves for housing construction based on a comprehensive analysis of complementary data from different sources: approved spatial planning documents and other regulatory and legal documentation, remote sensing data, open data from Google Earth, Yandex, 2GIS, OpenStreetMap. The following tasks have been solved: free territories for housing construction within the municipalities of the Leningrad Region, which are part of the St. Petersburg agglomeration, have been identified; own indicators for assessing the potential of housing construction have been developed; a typology of municipalities of the Leningrad Region within the St. Petersburg agglomeration in terms of housing construction potential has been carried out. The results of the research will be reflected in the practical activities of the Government of the Leningrad Region, the realization of fundamental developments of the team; including RNF projects, as well as lay the foundation for new research projects on this problem. This article is in the subject field of social sciences (regional and urban economics and forecasting of socio-economic development, state regulation of the economy and management of socio-economic processes, and may also be of interest to socio-economic geography).

Woody species diversity, structure and regeneration status of the church forests in West Gojjam Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia

Ethiopia's diverse ecology faces challenges from significant deforestation. Church forests are relatively protected although under pressure from agricultural expansion, grave house construction and climate related factors. The present study was aimed to assess the woody species composition, structure and regeneration status of church forests in the West Gojjam Zone. Twenty-six church forests were selected using stratified random sampling based on agroecology, elevation, forest size, and distance from population centers. A total of 175 main plots of 20 m × 20 m (400 m2) for trees, 875 subplots of 5 m × 5 m (25 m2) for saplings, and 875 subplots of 1 m × 1 m (1 m2) for seedlings were laid down. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured for woody plants with a DBH ≥2.5 cm and also height ≥ 2.5 m. Diversity and structural analysis of the woody species were carried out using appropriate tools. The regeneration status of the study forests was evaluated based on the number of seedlings, sapling and matured plants. A total of 111 woody species that belong to 95 genera and 51 families with 72 (64.86 %) trees, 23 (20.72 %) shrubs, 8 (7.2 %) shrubs/trees and 8 (7.2) lianas were identified. In the study sites, the woody plant species consist of 82.88 % indigenous, 15.32 % exotic, and 1.8 % endemic species. Fabaceae was the dominant family in West Gojjam zone church forests. The Shannon diversity ranged from 0.99 to 3.47, with an average of 2.55, and evenness varied from 0.5 to 0.96 (average 0.82). Species richness ranged from 7 to 45 with the average value of 23.81, and a total stem density of 5880 individuals per hectare. Additionally, 5923 saplings and 6136 seedlings per hectare were recorded. The most abundant species include Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Calpurnia aurea, and Juniperus procera. The average basal area was 29.268 m²/ha for the studied church forests, with Ficus vasta having the highest basal area. Juniperus procera and Rhus vulgaris exhibited the highest Importance Value index (IVI), while Premna schimperi, and Myrtus communis had the lowest IVI. The overall regeneration status of west Gojjam church forests was found to be good. Significant differences in woody species composition and diversity were observed between church forests. The study revealed the importance of church forests in the West Gojjam Zone for plant diversity conservation, revealing their resilience and potential for sustainable protection of forests despite the challenges like deforestation and climate change, and their potential for sustainable maintenance. As we have already seen, some of the church's forests were converted to agriculture as a source of income for the church. This practice is dangerous for the survival of the endemic plants in the church forests and leads to deforestation. Therefore, it is recommended to form an alternative source of income for the church.

ПРЕДПОСЫЛКИ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ИНСТИТУТА САМОРЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ В ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННОМ СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВЕ

An analysis of the licensing institute and the institute of self-regulation was carried out in the period from 2001 to 2022. As a result of the analysis, it was revealed that the tasks laid down in the institution of self-regulation were not fulfilled, as evidenced by negative trends in the risk of injury in construction, an increase in transformation and, presumably, transaction costs in comparison with the licensing institution and other indicators. The intensification of the increase in institutional rent of organizations in the housing construction market through the consolidation of land plots has been revealed. Practical recommendations aimed at institutional transformations of self-regulation in Russian construction have been put forward.

Parametric study of spherical domes for efficient housing construction using finite element method

Parametric study of spherical domes for efficient housing construction using finite element method

Patriarchal House as a Physical and Metaphorical Prison in Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street

Chicana writer Sandra Cisneros explores in her novel The House on Mango Street the construction of the patriarchal house as a physical and metaphorical prison for the female characters that inhabit this text. In this way, the writer highlights the situation of many Chicano women in the United States who struggle, from their barrios, to build a place in a society that excludes them because of their ethnic origin and discriminates against them because of their condition as women. This causes a double sense of marginality that imprisons them in the private space of the house.

Housing conditions in European one-person households.

This study addresses the satisfaction of housing-related needs in single-person households across European countries. The primary objective is to assess the housing satisfaction of single-person households in European countries, specifically within the Visegrad Group. The study seeks to identify trends in housing conditions, create a ranking of countries based on these conditions, and categorize countries with similar levels of unmet housing needs. The study employs statistical measures and methods to achieve its objectives. Time series are constructed for European countries, and linear trends are analyzed to identify statistically significant changes in selected housing aspects from 2005 to 2022. Various research tasks, including ranking countries and grouping them based on housing conditions, are accomplished using established methods like linear ranking and Ward's cluster analysis. Key findings include significant variations in financial burdens related to housing costs, thermal comfort, environmental pollution, and safety issues across European countries. The study reveals both improvements and challenges in housing conditions from 2005 to 2022 in one-person households. For instance, financial stress due to housing costs decreased in some countries, while thermal comfort issues improved in several nations. The results also highlight the heterogeneity within the Visegrad Group. The study concludes that there is a need for targeted actions to address housing-related issues in single-person households. The findings underscore the importance of investments in building energy efficiency, initiatives for affordable housing construction, and environmental policies. The research emphasizes the impact of housing conditions on health, well-being, and overall community life, urging policymakers to consider these factors for holistic improvement in the housing sector.