Housing Development Research Articles

Comparative Study of Malaysian Affordable Housing Policy Initiatives

The Malaysian government has implemented and coordinated affordable housing development initiatives to many targeted groups with the aim to spearhead liveable affordable housing and establish an effective regulatory on affordable housing. In order to focus on the direction as well as formulating guidelines for the development of affordable houses, the National Affordable Housing Policy (NAHP) had taken into account the problems and issues faced by the public especially on the inability to own a house at the market rates. Through this policy, several government initiatives were implemented, including Perumahan Penjawat Awam Malaysia (PPAM), Rumah Wilayah Persekutuan (RUMAWIP) and Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR). This study was to identify which initiative among those three that offers the best housing needs alongside its goal of implementation, adequate and good quality of home with conducive amenities and environment, affordability and sustainability. The survey questionnaire that was developed was validated and provided to the general public to gain insight and feedback on the effectiveness of the PPAM, RUMAWIP and PPR initiatives. Therefore, the results were summarized according to the public's satisfaction that may be useful in the housing industry and the government for continuous and improvements to ensure continuity in future studies. Results showed that the favourite housing initiative is PPR however many improvements still need to be improved such as pricing, size, facilities and maintenance. Overall, this study is in line with the targeted Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 3 of Good Health and Wellbeing as well as Goal 11 of Sustainable Cities and Communities and others which will benefit all.

Land acquisition policy and practice for cooperative housing scheme in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: toward affordable housing solutions

Bahir Dar, a city in Ethiopia, is grappling with the challenges of rapid urbanization, which has made affordable housing a critical issue for its growing population. This study specifically focuses on the urban land acquisition process for cooperative housing schemes, which serve as an essential component of Bahir Dar’s affordable housing program. This atudy aimed to examine the current practices, identify the challenges faced by housing cooperatives during land acquisition and construction, and propose strategies for improvement. The primary data for this research were collected through interviews with key informants from the Bahir Dar City administration’s land management, cooperative organizer office, housing development and management office, and housing cooperative committees. Additionally, three focus group discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted, involving 21 participants from cooperative members who had acquired residential land and from those who were waiting for allocation, including both female- and male-headed households. These discussions explored their views on the effectiveness of the cooperative housing scheme, the challenges encountered during cooperation and construction, and their recommendations for enhancement. Secondary data were also gathered through a comprehensive review of policies, regulations, research articles, reports, and relevant legal documents. The study revealed that, out of the 35,512 certified housing cooperative members since 2014, only 31,596 of them had received residential land plots. However, a relatively small fraction, i.e., less than 7,000 cooperative members, managed to partially or fully construct their homes. This indicates that the scheme has not fully achieved its intended goal and remains unaffordable for many members. The main challenges faced by cooperative members include lengthy delays in obtaining serviced land, high construction costs, and unrealistic building standards for cooperative housing units. In light of these findings, it is recommended that the Amhara National Regional State revise its housing cooperative policy to become affordable for cooperative housing members, particularly in terms of land acquisition costs and building standards.

Evaluating transit-oriented new town development: Insights from Seoul and Tokyo

This study evaluates 7Ds (density, diversity, design, distance to transit, destination accessibility, demand management, and demography) from a transit-oriented development (TOD) perspective for four large-scale new towns (NTs) in the suburban areas of Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan. The analysis revealed variations in self-sufficiency and travel behavior based on these differences, leading to four main policy implications. First, Seoul’s NTs demonstrated high-density mixed-use development, promoting localized short-distance travel within these areas. This highlights the importance of encouraging high-density mixed-use development to foster commuting self-sufficiency. Second, Tokyo’s NTs feature housing development centered on rail transit, resulting in a greater utilization of rail transit modes. This emphasizes the positive impact of rail-transit-oriented development on sustainable mode choice. Third, demand management strategies such as firm-based subsidies and an integrated transit system were identified in the Tokyo and Seoul NTs, respectively. These strategies aimed to provide incentives for choosing public transit over private cars. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the relationship between NTs and their neighboring areas to prevent wasteful commuting resulting from continuous decentralization trends in jobs and housing. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and planners by highlighting the significance of integrating TOD principles into NT planning and development.

Morphology Development of West Surabaya

The development of the morphology of the city of West Surabaya has become the new modern area with housing developments since the 1970s. At first, most of the area of West Surabaya was an area of rice fields, dry fields, and swamps. Along with the increasing number of residential area developments, West Surabaya has become an increasingly crowded area. The presence of the Citraland developer accelerated the city’s morphological development. This paper explains how the area is developing with the presence of Citraland real estate in West Surabaya. The method of explanation is by analyzing the data and sources obtained through the stages of historical research methods, which include heuristics, criticism, interpretation, and historiography. Based on the results of data analysis and sources obtained, it was found that the development of the real estate area in Surabaya included two development periods, namely the period before the involvement of investors and after being handled by investors with CitraLand’s real estate intervention. The Citraland developer has changed the West Surabaya area morphologically with various developments that have been carried out. Some of the indicators are the emergence of differences in the social status of the inhabitants. Most of the luxury and medium-sized residential types in Citraland were inhabited by the Chinese community, while local residents occupy simple residential types in the Griya Citra Asri area. However, the development of CitraLand has made a major contribution to the morphological development of the western part of Surabaya.
 Keywords: city morphology, West Surabaya, real estate, Citraland

Transaction Cost Economics Framework Development for Malaysian Housing Development

Housing development is a high-risk, multifaceted and cross-subsidies business. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly evaluate its viability through comprehensive feasibility studies. It is imperative to carry out meticulous investment appraisals, specifically in the realm of Malaysian housing developments, known for their substantial regulatory expenses that consequently elevate housing costs. Thus, this study aims to demonstrate the development of the transaction cost economics (TCE) framework recommended to unbundle the hidden cost components within the housing development processes. TCE adoption is useful to coordinate and optimise the economic activities within these processes. To overcome the shortcomings of TCE, the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 stages and key tasks are integrated with the housing development stages, processes and cost components to determine the essential economic activities, highlighting the corresponding parties, processes and costs. The TCE framework is established by experts from various sectors, including government agencies, local authorities, professionals and developers. This is achieved through the use of sequential explanatory mixed methods, which are employed to handle the diverse variables and aspects that hinder the nature of the research. Initially, a literature review identified 26 anticipated TCE components. However, data gathering revealed a total of 38 TCE components. The openended questionnaire and semi-structured interview were analysed and triangulated using frequency analysis, content validity ratio analysis and content analysis to ensure all necessary elements were included and unnecessary items removed. Eventually, the findings are applied in the development of the proposed TCE framework for Malaysian housing development. This framework outlines the necessary economic activities along with their associated development costs and TCE categorisation. It can be used to accurately prepare feasibility studies. To conclude, the research outcome improves the efficiency of economic transactions in Malaysian housing development by identifying and organising the various cost components involved, allowing for the optimisation of transaction costs and increased transparency of housing development expenses.

Demographic trends in urban structures: Comparison of development in the broader centres of the cities of Brno (CZ) and Vienna (AT) in the 21st century

Czech Republic is facing housing insecurity and cities are challenged by a shortage of housing supply. The issue of housing affordability can be demonstrated on the cities of Brno and Vienna, which are connected by a close geographical position and a similar urban development in the 19th century. After 1918 (the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), the Austrian capital Vienna has focused on a continual support of social housing. The development of housing in the Czechoslovak city of Brno was changing and influenced by the period of socialism. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the housing development in Brno and Vienna has been therefore, after a politically different period, comparable again. Vienna has a similar historical development to Brno, and in the long term, it represents an adequate comparative study due to a successful social housing policy. In this paper, we mobilize a comparative study of broader city centres. The development of housing is monitored in the parameters of demographic trends. The paper reviews comparable demographic data obtained from databases of the office for national statistics of Austria and the Czech Republic: population development and population ageing expressed as a percentage of the population aged 65+ to the population aged 0-14. The study demonstrates the importance of these two indicators of demographic changes, which can reflect the attractiveness of housing for different groups of residents. The results show that in both cities, there is a population decline in historical city cores. While in the vicinity of the historical core of Vienna, there is moderate population growth, a similarly uniform trend cannot be observed in Brno.

Modelling Stakeholders’ Capacity for Urban Housing Development: A Developing Country’s Perspective

Abstract The main aim of the study was to model stakeholders’ capacity for urban housing development from a developing country’s perspective, using Zambia as a case study. The study used a quantitative methodology and recruited 214 respondents from various organizations concerned with the planning and development of human settlements in Lusaka, Zambia. The structured questionnaire used for data collection contained nine indicator variables informed by literature. The collected data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and goodness-of-fit was utilized to assess the acceptability of the model using a two-index technique. The findings revealed that stakeholders’ capacity is explained by four variables, namely: ensuring adequate staffing levels in institutional stakeholders; community empowerment in planning practices; development of essential construction skills; as well as provision of technical support to communities on housing. The paper recommends, among other things, the need to fully engage and build the capacities of communities so that they can effectively participate in housing development. The findings have practical implications for improving housing in the global south. It advances the promotion of capacity building as a prerequisite for driving housing development in line with the new urban agenda.

Challenges and Barriers to Property Reuse for Social Housing: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract This systematic literature review examines the challenges and barriers to property reuse for social housing development, a strategy increasingly recognized for its potential to address housing shortages while promoting sustainable urban development. The study synthesizes findings from a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and grey literature, identifying key obstacles across technical, economic, regulatory, social, and environmental domains. Our review reveals that while property reuse offers significant opportunities for creating affordable and sustainable housing solutions, it is hindered by complex interplays of structural limitations, financial constraints, regulatory hurdles, community resistance, and environmental concerns. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of barriers to adaptive reuse in the context of social housing, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches to overcome these challenges. This review contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a holistic understanding of the obstacles faced in property reuse projects for social housing and by identifying gaps in current research. The paper concludes with recommendations for policy reforms, innovative financing models, and community engagement strategies to facilitate successful property reuse initiatives. These insights are valuable for policymakers, urban planners, and housing developers seeking to implement effective property reuse strategies for social housing development.

Концептуальні підходи до розробки загальнодержавної програми розвитку соціального житла

Концептуальні підходи до розробки загальнодержавної програми розвитку соціального житла

The impact of the orientation of family houses on a slope on the environment

The contribution follows on from two previous researches, which dealt with the influence of the orientation of the construction of catalogue family houses from the point of view of CO2 production during their operation. The previous research was focused on family houses (orientation of windows on all sides of the world) and terraced buildings (orientation of windows on two opposite sides of the world). The contribution in question is focused on family houses on a slope with one-sided orientation of the windows, which is the final phase of the research. The main reason for the overall research is the fact that developers are currently trying to realize the same type of family houses (catalogue houses) regardless of which side of the world the exposed glazed areas of the house are oriented. For this reason, the approval and energy certification often do not reach A0, which is a mandatory requirement of the energy assessment of buildings from 1 January 2021. The environmental impact research compares four basic types of streets with ten identical houses. The environmental impact research compares four types of basic streets with ten identical houses. if it is a comparison of the environmental impact of the same development of family houses on a slope, with different orientations to the cardinal points and with different local houses within the streets. The benefit of the research for practice will be the formulation of principles for the orientation of transparent areas in residential construction and the formulation of urban planning principles for the siting of houses in settlements on sloping terrain, where it is possible to place windows only on the front facade.

Understanding the Fallout: The Impact of Failed Real Estate Developments on the Property Market in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study aims to investigate the effects of failed real estate developments on the property market in Lagos State, Nigeria. Given the rapid development and high demand for housing and other assets in Lagos, the potential for project failures can cause uncertainty and disruption. The research seeks to understand the various consequences of project development failures on the property market by examining stakeholder views. The study involves analyzing the fundamental factors and outcomes of project failures and their impact on the real estate market in Lagos State. The study sampled 384 Estate Surveyors and Valuers (ESV) and 225 staff from the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN). Regression analysis (OLS) was used to examine the impact of real estate development failure on the market. The study found that technical factors, also known as technical failures, had a significant negative influence on the real estate market in Lagos State. This conclusion was based on negative regression coefficients (-0.68 for ESV and -0.68 for REDAN) and significant t-statistics values (-8.18 for ESV and -4.90 for REDAN). Furthermore, factors such as inadequate project finance, lack of management support, failure to adhere to required regulatory guidelines, and socio-political factors also had negative regression coefficients. They were found to influence the real estate market in Lagos state. In conclusion, these factors could affect the quality of real estate development, leading to a decrease in the real estate market and patronage.

Prediction of Toddlers Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) to Become Pneumonia in Martapura Catchment Area, Banjar District, Indonesia.

Introduction. The pneumonia pattern in young children may vary across different catchment areas. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the predictive factors for toddlers with an Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) developing into pneumonia in the catchment area of Banjar Regency, Indonesia. Methods. A case-control design, with 300 respondents, consisting of 106 cases and 194 controls. A questionnaire of interviews with mothers/caregivers of toddlers. Forty-one indicators data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression with backward stepwise regression to arrive at the final model. Results. The predictive factors for toddlers with pneumonia were the child's age (P-value .070), child development (P-value .007), breastfeeding (P-value .051), family income (P-value .026), and location of houses along the river (P-value .025). Conclusion. A prediction index for toddler pneumonia has been compiled, which can be applied to improve the health of lower middle-class toddlers requiring more government attention.

Inequality and deprivation in an affluent community: A case study of the livelihood of low-income households in Central and Western District, Hong Kong

The Central and Western District (C&W District) of Hong Kong is often associated with prosperity. However, some families in the C&W District, like those in other areas of Hong Kong, face poverty and deprivation. This study implemented purposive sampling and the constructivist grounded theory to investigate the perceptions of and daily challenges faced by underprivileged residents and community stakeholders in the district. This study conducted individual or small group in-depth interviews with 40 residents in 2019. The results revealed that unaffordable housing and poor living environments impeded family cohesiveness. Young people lacked sufficient academic support. Under the government's latest policy direction of “targeted poverty alleviation”, this study recommends that government departments and relevant social stakeholders proactively explore the development of social housing in the district. In addition, community volunteers with English proficiency and other professional skills should be recruited to offer free or affordable tutoring services for underprivileged students.

Subsidized Versus Unsubsidized Senior Housing Communities in PA: A Window on Variation in Health, Function, and Access to Services in Old Age.

Introduction: Independent Living residences for older adults can be divided into two categories and require better definitions for research purposes; the purpose of this manuscript is to provide those definitions and explore variation in provided services and resident characteristics: (a) Subsidized age-based housing (55+) (Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing units for low-income adults), and (b) non-subsidized age-based housing. Methods: Residents in the two settings were compared: 37 subsidized locations (p = 289 residents) and 19 non-subsidized (p = 208). Aging support services in each housing type were quantified. Results: Subsidized residents are more likely to be female (84.6% vs. 70.2%, p = .0002) and have fair-poor health (36.5% vs. 12.5%, p < .0001), frequent pain (28.4% vs. 12.8%, p < .0001), and fair-poor mobility (37.5% vs. 23.5%, p = .0298). Non-subsidized locations are more likely to offer support services; on average, residents are older (mean age 83vs. 75; p < .0001) and white (97.6% vs. 69.2%, p < .0001). Conclusion: Significant differences exist between populations living in subsidized and non-subsidized housing, suggesting the effect of cumulative disadvantage over the lifespan; populations in poorer health have access to fewer services. Research is needed to explore generalizability on a national level.

Promising directions for the artificial intelligence development in the housing and utilities sector

Modern technologies require the improvement of automation and labour savings. Therefore, successful construction companies are everywhere introducing artificial intelligence into their business, which actually optimizes any processes without human intervention. At the same time, the final product quality increases. Investing in high technology may be a daunting task for many businesses, but in the long run, reducing waste and material consumption will have a positive impact on profitability. Investments in the technologies development in the housing and communal services are increasing around the world, and households are increasingly switching to smart metering devices. Artificial intelligence technologies allow organizations in housing and communal services to reduce the operators cost and automate the most frequent communications with residents. The innovative technologies introduction for the development of housing and communal services is aimed primarily at optimizing the services range in accordance with the population needs and rationalizing their use in the context of sustainable territories development. The authors analyse the prospects for the housing and communal complex development in the digitalization period, explores the possibilities and directions for the introduction and application of artificial intelligence in the field of housing and communal services in Russia and abroad.

Reinventing Social Policy in Housing Finance Policies for Low-Income Communities

Generally, the problem of housing and settlements is the incompatibility of the number of available housing when compared to the needs and the number of people who live there. The main issues are population, spatial planning and regional development, planning for housing and settlement development that is still not optimal, land and infrastructure, financing, building materials industry technology and construction services, institutions, community participation, and laws and regulations. The East Kutai Regency Government is committed to meeting the housing needs of MBR. However, due to the high number of backlogs where the dominance of the need for housing comes from low-income people at income levels below, a synchronization effort is needed that harmonizesbetween central regulations and local conditions. Therefore, research questions are formulated as follows: 1) How effective is the implementation of the housing grant policy for the MBR in the concept of reinventing the policy?; 2) What are the implementation factors and policy models that are in accordance with the conditions of East Kutai Province after the policy reinventing process? The purpose of this study is to measure the effectiveness of the implementation of the housing grant policy for the MBR in the concept of reinventing public policy, to analyze the driving and inhibiting factors for the implementation of housing finance, to formulate a housing grant policy model . The main theory in this research is public policy, while the supporting theory is the theory of social change, social behavior, functional structural. The concepts used include Reinventing Public Policy, Ecosoc Rights, Regional Autonomy, Synchronization, Residential Housing, Housing Financing for MBR, and Strategies for Acquisition and Acquisition of Houses for MBR. Mixed research methods (mix methods) combine quantitative and qualitative data. The research instruments were questionnaires and interview drafts using data collection techniques through surveys of 135 respondents and in-depth interviews with four informants. Data analysis performed synthesis of quantitative data and qualitative data. The results of this study are that the implementation of public policy on providing financial assistance through the FLPP program is effectively applied to MBR, taking into account the synchronization of the financing. The concept of reinventing describes the complexity of a public policy shifting into social policy in its implementation so as to form social protection originating from local initiatives. The result lies in the strength of MBR in putting forward local initiatives to establish social protection. The position of the MBR and the government are equal in implementing policies so that the concept of development is decentralized and easy to evaluate through synchronizing various things. The driving factor is related to the synergy, cooperation and transparency of stakeholders in interpreting social welfare.While the inhibiting factors underline the integrity and loyalty of stakeholders and MBR to utilize existing resources and adapt to the policy environment. So based on this influence a policy model emerges using the lens of reinventing policies that are based on guaranteeing social welfare and leading to local initiatives. Building a new concept regarding changing the position of public policy into social policy. This change in perspective highlights elements of social welfare guarantees and local initiatives for the implementation of a more autonomous and implementable policy for the MBR

ЦИФРОВАЯ ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЯ ЭКОНОМИКИ

The article considers modern trends in the development of the market of individual housing construction in Russia and foreign countries. It is shown that the development of private homeownership is based on the tendency to individualization of personal space, which is a bright attribute of the national mentality of the inhabitants of countries with the lowest density of settlement. Besides, having one's own house will stimulate people to create a family and increase the number of children. The features of the Soviet period in the sphere of construction and spatial development are analyzed. The then existing emphasis on the development of mass apartment construction and high degree of urbanization led to the degradation of rural areas due to the mass outflow of population to the cities. Today it is necessary to change the existing model of spatial development, using foreign experience of suburbanization as a progressive direction of low-rise housing development. The authors emphasize that government support and IT technologies can act as drivers in the development of the Russian housing market.

Analyzing accessibility to urban services for new residential buildings. A case study of Craiova city

The present study uses methods based on Geographic Information System (GIS) to investigate the distribution of new residential buildings in Craiova (Romania) and assess their accessibility to key urban services. The focus is on collective housing developments constructed after 2015, encompassing both completed and ongoing projects. The research evaluates accessibility at the neighborhood level, considering key facilities and services such as banking services, pharmacies, kindergartens, primary schools, supermarkets, sport facilities, and green urban areas. Data for urban services were collected from opensource databases (OpenStreetMap, Copernicus Land Monitoring?Urban Atlas) and completed by field investigations. Isochrones, representing travel time from each residential building to the selected services, are used to measure the residents' accessibility by multiple travel modes. Additionally, the study considers the proximity of new residential buildings to the old historical city center, as a hub for shopping and leisure activities, and the walkability of the neighborhoods where the collective residences are located. The findings shed light on the spatial distribution of new residential developments in relation to essential urban services, providing valuable insights for urban planning and development strategies in Craiova, as well as for future residential investments.

Smart Living Housing Development in Malaysia: Debunking the Additional Cost Components from the Gross Development Cost Standpoint

The development of Smart Living housing in Malaysia necessitates a meticulous understanding of the Gross Development Cost (GDC) components to ensure project financial viability. Unlike conventional housing, Smart Living involves unique building elements such as polarised glass panels, occupancy sensors, wheelchair stair climbers, and rainwater harvesting systems. These features contribute to a holistically sustainable and convenient independent living environment but also present greater barriers with “extra work” that diverge from traditional houses. Given the nascent stage of Smart Living housing development in Malaysia, developers have often taken individual initiatives to constitute the concept due to the absence of established rules and regulations. This lack of standardisation has led to inconsistencies of cost and uncertainties in factual development cost components. Acknowledging these issues, this research necessitates an explanatory sequential mixed method approach; however, this paper presents only the initial phase of the research by exploring the perspectives of stakeholders. The study aims to clarify the additional cost components associated with the development, emphasizing their impact on the overall budgeting process through qualitative, semi-structured interviews with respondents selected through homogeneous purposive sampling. Findings from ten respondents were analysed narratively and revealed that the anticipated additional development cost components include one hard cost item for land acquisition, six soft cost items for social, environmental, and economic impact assessments, one soft cost item for the developer’s concern, and eleven hard cost items related to regulatory compliance. This paper addresses the gap in research regarding the uncertainties in determining feasible capital costs due to possibilities such as overestimating Smart Living feature expenses and underestimating preparation costs. By systematically examining these anticipated additional development cost components, this paper provides foundational guidance for better accuracy in estimating, managing costs, and conducting feasibility studies, thereby supporting the effective planning and execution of Smart Living housing developments in Malaysia.

The Impact of the Two Pandemics on Sustainable Urban Housing Development

People had to stay in their homes for long time during the pandemic like SARS or COVID-19. Under this experience, people put forward many opinions and suggestions on the current situation of urban residential architecture design and community planning. The existing deficiencies can be learned form people’s perceptions and the findings is helpful to the sustainable development of cities. Based on the literature survey, the main issues of public dissatisfaction after SARS are summarized and analyzed. An online survey-based households was conducted to explore the updated housing, environmental, and psychological focal points caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. The main concerns of urban residents on house and community design and planning after the two pandemics are described and reviewed. It is found that there are additional focus on residential buildings and the community environment after the two pandemics. People are still very concerned about elements such as sunlight, natural ventilation, and sewage treatment to prevent the virus transmission. Some deficiency in housing and communities still leave urban residents dissatisfied, and existing urban housing and community designs may still not be ready for the next pandemic. The pandemic has not only renewed awareness of some important basic elements of urban living that cannot be ignored, but has also brought about changes in people’s lives.