Housing Development Research Articles

Assessment of Labor Management Practices in Private Group Housing Developers in Kathmandu Valley

The construction industry is known for its labor-intensive nature, and companies must maintain high labor management standards to complete projects within time and budget. However, challenges related to labor management are common in the industry and can negatively impact project delivery times and costs. In Nepal, housing developers face the issue of not delivering projects on time, leading to increased costs. This study explores the current labor management practices, challenges, and remedial measures in the construction industry of Nepal, with a focus on housing developers in the Kathmandu Valley. The study collected data from 17 building projects using interviews and questionnaires and analyzed the data using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The findings indicate that labor management issues, including poor communication, planning, inadequate wages, occupational health and safety, labor policy, and unfair treatment, are major challenges faced by housing developers in Nepal. The study recommends implementing better employee staffing, performance evaluation, work environment, training, and compensation management to address these challenges. The results of this study offer insight into current labor management practices and potential solutions for housing developers in Nepal, contributing to the overall success of construction projects. Proper labor management can result in substantial savings in time and cost for construction projects, making this study relevant and valuable to researchers and practitioners in the construction industry. The findings of this research could have important implications for private housing developers in Nepal, as well as for the broader housing sector in developing countries facing similar challenges.

Design and Application of New Support and Power System of Residential Building Machine

In recent years, with the transformation and upgrading of national development and the acceleration of urbanization, the construction mode of high energy consumption, high pollution and high labor intensity in the construction industry can no longer meet the development needs. The State Council and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development have successfully issued policies and initiatives to improve industrialization and intelligent construction. In 2021, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development issued a building height limit order, and it has become a trend that aerial building machines have begun to diversify into ordinary high-rise residences. The "14th Five-Year Plan" construction industry development plan issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development proposed accelerating the coordinated development of intelligent construction and new building industrialization and promoting digital design, intelligent production and intelligent construction. In response to the national policy guidance and leading the development of the industry, solve the inherent problems in the construction industry, learn from the application concept of super high-rise heavy-duty construction equipment integration, create a "factory-like" construction environment for ordinary high-rise through lightweight, standardization and intelligent and other innovative technologies, and explore a construction integration platform suitable for high-rise residences, called "high-rise building industrialization construction lightweight construction operation integration platform" (referred to as "building machine"). Based on the first generation of building construction machines, continuous improvement and replacement, the supporting power system has dramatically improved in support capacity and lightweight. The effective combination of a support column, hydraulic cylinder, and pump station has been realized, which is more convenient and faster, and the construction is more efficient.

CREATING A LAND SUITABILITY INDEX FOR THE NEW PRIORITY HUMAN SETTLEMENTS & HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AREAS: A FOCUS ON EKURHULENI, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract. Spatial transformation has been a challenge since the dawn of South Africa’s democracy in 1994. The spatial form throughout the country was designed in a racially segregative manner which led to a change in policy over the years to make meaningful efforts to transform this narrative through various strategies. Recently, the Human Settlements Department designated specific areas for developing subsidised low-cost housing to address the housing backlog in South Africa as well as channel development in these priority areas. While this may be progressive it is however unknown how much of this land located within the Priority Human Settlement Priority and Housing Development Areas (PHSHDA’s) is developable and how much of it is state owned and therefore making it readily available. This study investigates the City of Ekurhuleni as a study area, which has approximately 160 000 households living in informal settlements that need to be housed. Using Evidence-Based Planning, the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) were employed to develop a Planning Support System to determine land suitability within the PHSHDA in the City of Ekurhuleni, in South Africa. The results indicate that only 33% of the land located within the PHSHDA is highly suitable for housing development, with 23% moderately suitable, 21% marginally suitable, and 23% unsuitable for housing development. The results also indicate that 35% of the vacant land owned by the City of Ekurhuleni is located on highly suitable land within the PHSHDA.

A Qualitative Exploration of People Who Have Left Housing First and Returned to Homelessness

This article offers a thick, rich, multidimensional, and situational look into a Housing First (HF) program in Charlotte, North Carolina, called HousingWorks. This study focuses on individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and who exited permanent supportive housing (PSH) programs that employ a HF model and return to homelessness. In January 2022, there were 582,500 people experiencing homelessness in the United States (The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD], 2023). One-third of these individuals had patterns of chronic homelessness, which has doubled since 2016 (HUD, 2023). Additionally, one-third of unsheltered individuals are at a high risk of being unsheltered again. To address issues of chronic homelessness, emphasis has been placed on increasing supportive housing, which combines permanent affordable housing with supportive services (permanent supportive housing), commonly called a housing first, or the rapid rehousing approach. Participants exited HousingWorks for multiple individual and programmatic reasons. All exits in this study were tied to relationships individuals had with friends, family (of choice and biological), romantic partners, case managers, and neighbors. Consumers, providers, and former residents describe their experiences and offer insights for improving housing retention in PSH programs. Implications for implementation and housing first fidelity criteria are also discussed.

Shading Performance of Public Open Spaces: A Multi-Criteria Evaluation Framework for Housing Projects

This study investigates the impact of building grouping patterns on enhancing shading in public open spaces, considering different solar orientations, housing densities, and the hot climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia. The study considered a set of environmental performance indicators, including the percentage of open space shaded areas, heat gains through the building envelope, open space surface temperature, and the natural ventilation potential of each grouping pattern of the buildings. The results showed that at a building height of five floors, the percentage of open space shaded areas ranged from 14% to 53%. However, using the suggested multi-criteria evaluation framework to consider the above-mentioned performance indicators revealed more in-depth observations. Configurations that included parallel rows of buildings staggered and centralized in the middle of the site offered the best performance in this regard. This shows that compact grouping patterns in which open spaces are decentralized offer more urban shading and protection against undesirable heat gains through the building envelope during summer. The results of this study will enable a wider exploration of different building grouping patterns, which are needed in the harsh hot climate of Saudi Arabia to respond to current rapid housing development plans.

The socialist metropolis in flux: Urban structure and commuting patterns in Poland, 1973–1983

There is a significant dearth of knowledge regarding changes in intra-metropolitan local labor markets in former socialist countries, which encompass extensive parts of Eurasia and where industrialization and urbanization were centrally controlled by the state. This paper aims to contribute to the existing body of research by (a) illuminating and explaining changes in the spatial structure of urban regions in Poland during the transition from 'extensive' to 'intensive' socialist urban development (1973-1983), and (b) investigating changes in commuting patterns and their socio-demographic composition during the transition to 'mature' socialism. We selected four major city-regions for analysis: gdański, katowicki, łódzki, and warszawski. These regions were carefully chosen to represent different types of polycentric development and diverse economic profiles. The main findings of our paper are as follows: (a) despite the substantial population growth and the unprecedented rate of new housing development in the four city-regions, the overall impact of the socialist transition to intensive urbanization on their spatial structure was relatively minor, (b) the intensification of urbanization process in Poland contributed to the reduction in commute distance for all socioeconomic and demographic groups of workers.

Analisis Kelayakan Ekonomi dan Finansial Pada Proyek Kawasan Pembangunan Perusahaan Siap Bangun (Studi Kasus: Perumahan Griya Sukasari Subang)

In the era of globalization, the increasing rate of population growth will affect the need for housing. This need becomes a problem if the continuous increase in demand can cause land prices to increase. It is known that investment in property is very promising and is increasingly in demand by the public both in the short and long term. In this research, the building of housing in Sukasari Village will be very strategic considering that this area is starting to develop an industrial area. To meet residential needs, the developer built 16 housing units on 1900 m2 of land at that location. The feasibility obtained from the 16 unit Housing Development Project was carried out in the form of an analysis to determine investment and financial feasibility based on the Net Present Value, Benefit Cost Ratio, Internal Rate of Return, Return on Investment, Return on Equity, Break Even Point and Payback Period. The profit obtained is with an NPV value of Rp. 1,284,651,362 (NPV > 0), BCR = 1.18 (BCR > 1), BEP in position 9 housing units sold, PP in the 10th month, IRR value = 118%, ROI and ROE have a level and ratio of 52%, moderate conditions make a profit with an NPV value of Rp. 85,000,830 (NPV > 0), BCR = 1.02 (BCR > 1), BEP in the position of 9 units sold, PP for 6 years, IRR value of 102%, ROI and ROE have a ratio of 6%. Meanwhile, in pessimistic conditions suffered a loss with an NPV value of Rp. 1,077,912,437, BCR 0.64 < 1, BEP does not have a break-even point, and the break-even time or PP occurs in the 13th year which can be interpreted as not breaking even, and the IRR value is 99%, ROI and ROE have a ratio level of 0.40%. It was concluded that the 16-unit housing development project could be profitable and feasible to implement, optimistic conditions with the construction process being completed and the housing units being sold in full in the 12th month.

Analysis of the Risk Management of Purchasing Puri Nirana Cigelam Sharia Housing in the Perspective of Islamic Economics

As a housing developer, Puri Nirana Cigelam (PNC) Purwakarta, West Java, offers housing with a sharia concept or sharia housing. Sharia housing carries a Sharia system in its financing contracts without the involvement of Sharia or conventional banks. The purpose of this study is to first analyze the risk management of contract implementation in buying and selling housing at PNC. Second, analyzing the application of risk management in the sale and purchase of Sharia housing loans at PNC. Third, analyze the adherence to Islamic economics principles in applying risk management in PNC. This research is qualitative. At the same time, technical data mining using interviews and observation. Technical data processing by editing, organizing, and discovering results and data analysis obtained descriptively to draw conclusions. The study results in show that the risk management carried out at PNC in its sharia contracts is running well even though it is relatively new and outside property developers' customs and habits in risk management. Risk management in implementing buying and selling credit at PNC is going well for risk policies with a Sharia approach. The principles of Islamic economics also colour the existing risk management policies in PNC Sharia housing; there are elements and values ​​of Sharia economic principles that are quality, non-exploitative, free of usury, prosperous and spiritually valuable.

Strategic Planning and Goal Setting in a Politicized Environment: The Case of HUD, USICH, and Homelessness

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the hierarchy of goals and objectives that were adopted to reduce homelessness in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) strategic plans during three successive presidential administrations after passage of the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010. Based on a document review and interviews with current and former federal officials, the analysis reveals that HUD’s strategic goals, strategic objectives, and agency priority goals for homelessness that were written in each presidential administration reflected the preferences and ideology of politically appointed leaders particularly in response to the emergence of a national policy of Housing First.

Developing Place Attachment in Master-Planned Residential Estates in Sydney: The Influence of Neighbourhood Parks

Master-Planned Residential Estate (MPRE) is an integrated housing development form in Australia. MPREs are aimed to build a sense of place attachment and community via the provision of environmental and social infrastructure. Neighbourhood parks are regarded as a significant built environmental factor linked to residents’ place attachment and well-being in the literature. Understanding place attachment is crucial for promoting residents’ well-being in neighbourhoods and enhancing the attractiveness of real estates in the housing market. However, we know little about how place attachment is facilitated for park users in neighbourhoods. The psychological process of place attachment in MPREs is unclear in the literature, with a particular lack of qualitative studies in this area. This study explored the psychological process of place attachment and its associations with neighbourhood parks in MPREs in Sydney via a qualitative case study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 residents residing in two selected MPREs in Sydney during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. Interviews found three themes and several subthemes regarding the process of place attachment for park users in MPREs: affect (emotional bonds), behaviour (place-related fulfilment of needs, place-related social bonds, and community participation), and cognition (membership of the community, place-related memory, and cultural significance). This study contributes to understanding place attachment and human-environment relations in sustainable neighbourhoods by adding new items into place attachment models from the perspective of MPREs in Sydney. It provides valuable qualitative evidence gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings furnish empirical insights for policymakers, developers, and urban planners involved in sustainable neighbourhoods’ development and housing management in Sydney and global regions.

The Construction of Affordable Housing in Developing Countries: a Scientometric Review

The presence of affordable housing in developing countries is a crucial issue in order to fulfill the primary need for housing in a large market segment, especially people whose income is below the average household income. In contrast to developed countries, the development of studies on affordable housing construction (AHC) in developing countries has not been well mapped. This certainly creates many gaps in determining the direction of future developments, especially related to the studies that will be carried out. This study tries to map the development of scientific publications related to AHC in developing countries, from 1983 - 2021. Using scientometric techniques and VosViewers as a data processing tool, 116 publications that meet the given criteria have been identified. The findings of this study reveal a mapping of publications organized by country, organization, research outlet, author, document citation, and main research area. During the observation period, most research focused on developing nations, affordability, sustainable development, the construction industry, and the developing globe. In addition, the results of this study also successfully mapped opportunities for future research focuses related to building materials, affordable housing, low-income populations, decision-making, and structural design. In conclusion, this study highlights the need for further research on affordable housing development in developing countries to guide policy makers and researchers in developing affordable housing solutions that meet the housing needs of low-income households.

HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION COOPERATIVES IN THE USSR IN THE 1950S AND 1960S.

The article discusses the development of housing and construction cooperatives (HBC) in the 1950s and 1960s. The construction of HBC was an integral part of housing construction in the USSR, although it had its own specifics and distinctive features. The decisions of the party and the government on the development of housing and construction cooperation contributed to the fact that cooperatives began to be formed not only from the wealthiest, highly paid strata of the Soviet population. Cooperative houses were not enough, and they could not satisfy the growing need of Soviet citizens for housing. HBC helped to reduce housing queues and attracted funds from Soviet people, helping the state to implement social policy.

A century of urban planning for Zanzibar’s other side, 1923–2023

ABSTRACT This paper interrogates what has and has not changed in 100 years of professional planning in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The geographical focus is on the area of the historic core of the city known as Ng’ambo (a KiSwahili place-name meaning ‘the Other Side’). The gap between formal plans for infrastructure, housing, or neighbourhood development, and their implementation, is examined in its evolution over this century. The central focus of the empirical examination resides with the most recent planning initiatives, since 2011, which present a strongly inclusive and participatory emphasis for planning on the Other Side. The key research question is this: has this new era of inclusive planning strengthened the urban poor majority’s citizenship, or has it continued the long run of state planning failures for Ng’ambo’s residents? This essay argues that, despite progressive ambitions, in implementation there are a number of continuities with both colonial and post-independence planning, where outside powers and elite interests have predominated. The paper is built from more than thirty years of the author’s research on urban planning in Ng’ambo and engagement with the literature of urban planning studies in Africa and the Global South.

EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN ENUGU STATE

This study investigated the effects of environmental degradation on urban development in Enugu State. It was guided by two specific objectives and two corresponding research questions and hypotheses. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population comprises staff of the Nigeria Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and residents of Enugu metropolis, numbering 820,030, out of which a sample size of 400 was obtained. A self-structured 5-Likert scaled questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean statistics was used for analysing the responses to the research questions while a one-sampled t-test was used for testing the hypotheses. It was found that environmental degradation has a significant negative effect on the social infrastructure/amenities and economic activities in urban centres in Enugu State. It was specifically revealed that environmental hazards such as erosion, flood, industrial and domestic wastes in urban centres destroy residential and commercial buildings, economic crops, strain scarce finances, affect school and hospital structures and cause other social problems; that healthcare centres and personnel are likely to be affected as well, even alternative medicine sources are usually destroyed by environmental degradation and ultimately human lives are lost outright in extreme cases. The study recommended among others that in-depth mass awareness should be adopted while a healthy and safe development pattern should be continually done to discourage indiscriminate housing developments that block drainages and natural waterways. Also, proper waste management mechanisms by residents should be enforced to mitigate the spate of indiscriminate refuse dumps, which often block water channels and canals.

Prevalence of homelessness among hospitalized patients: A point-in-time survey.

Although homelessness is associated with increased acute healthcare utilization and poorer health outcomes, the prevalence of homelessness and housing insecurity in hospitalized patients is poorly characterized. We conducted an in-person survey to determine the prevalence of housing insecurity and homelessness among hospitalized patients at two hospitals in metropolitan Denver in conjunction with the Housing and Urban Development point-in-timecount on January 24, 2022. Of the 271 surveyed patients, 79 (29.2%) reported experiencing either housing insecurity (17.3%) or homelessness (11.8%). Of those experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, 69.6% reported chronic health conditions, 55.7% reported multiple hospitalizations in the preceding year, 38% reported mental health concerns and 39.2% reported substance use. The prevalence of homelessness among a hospitalized patient population was over 20-fold higher than community prevalence estimates. Housing insecurity also impacted a substantial proportion of hospitalized patients and was associated with high rates of co-morbid conditions.

Antagonistic Integration in the Private Sector-Driven Housing Developments in South Africa

Cities in apartheid South Africa did not exhibit inclusivity traits and city developments thereafter have not differed significantly. Neoliberal urbanism asserts that the city is envisaged as a playing field for the elites, and growing socio-economic inequalities are managed by creating privatised, customised, and networked spaces for consumption by the urban elites. This ideology seeks to enlarge the role of market forces in the housing sector, to increase the role of elites in shaping urban landscapes. This paper, anchored on the theory of neoliberal urbanism, showcases the difficulties of integration and inclusivity in a socio-economically mixed neighbourhoods in post-apartheid SA, using Shaka’s Head in the Ballito area of the KwaDukuza Municipality as the case study. The study engages literature on the production of space to demonstrate how the economically dominant urban classes have maintained hegemony over urban governance and suppressed the efforts of local governments to shape urban neighbourhoods and the interests of the previously disadvantaged groups. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with role-players in physical planning and human settlements developments and supplemented with household interviews with residents of Shaka’s Head. Research results showed that the type of integration observed in the area can best be described as ‘antagonistic integration’. The paper recommends an increased role of the government in land ownership, physical development, and regulation of private developments. Keywords: Housing, Private developments, Urban communities, Integration, Antagonism

Hambatan Pelaksanaan Hasil Mediasi Antara Pengembang Perumahan Di Yogyakarta Dan Konsumen

This research studies the hindrance to the implementation of the result of mediation between a housing developer and consumers facilitated by the Ombudsman of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This case has been handled by the ombudsman since early 2019, while the agreement outlined in the memorandum of understanding fails to be implemented. Article 6 paragraph (6) and Article 6 Paragraph (7) of Law Number 30 of 1999 concerning Dispute Resolution Arbitration and Alternative (UU APS) has set a provision implying that mediation is implemented within 30 days, and this provision is outlined in a written agreement which is binding and final to all parties who are required to enforce this provision with good faith. This mediation is to be registered to a local District Court. However, there are two impeding factors such as procedural and substantive matters. The procedural matters are related to the absence of the basis of the law that states that the ombudsman complies with UU APS regarding the mediation. On the other hand, substantive factors are triggered by insufficient funds owned by the developer, the dominant bargaining position possessed by a consumer, and lack of understanding of the parties involved in the dispute regarding the legal principles and limited role of mediators.

Institutional Strengthening in The Era of Indonesian Versus Korean Film Industry Constestation

The creative economy industry has great potential in the movement of a country's economy, including Indonesia, unfortunately, domestically produced films are still less popular. This is inversely proportional to the public's enthusiasm for Korean dramas and films where Indonesia ranks first in the world as the largest K-Pop fan country. Korea's success in the film industry is inseparable from the role of Korean government agencies. This research aims to provide an overview portrait of the Indonesian film industry amid the existence of Korean films and see institutional strengthening using 3 institutional pillars according to Richard W. Scott. The institutional pillars used are regulative, normative, and cognitive pillars. The method used is descriptive qualitative through survey, in-depth interview and literature study. The results of the study are 1) the popularity of Korean dramas and films dominates and even beats Indonesian films/dramas, 2) The institutional pillars have not run well. This condition can be seen from existing problems such as the absence of institutions that regulate film in Indonesia from upstream to downstream, the absence of regulations related to the protection and development of production houses and local OTT platforms, and the absence of a roadmap for Indonesia's future film industry.

Liveability Considerations: Towards Designing Sustainable Public Housing in Niger State, Nigeria

This study investigates liveability in the context of sustainable public housing in Niger State, Nigeria, where existing housing efforts have fallen short of residents' satisfaction. Recognizing the critical link between liveability indicators and environmental sustainability, this research aims to identify key liveability variables that could be integrated into the design and construction of sustainable public housing. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study involved cluster sampling for selecting housing estates and units, followed by the administration of 910 questionnaires containing 102 questions on liveability variables. Analytical techniques, including Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, Factor Analysis, and Multiple Regression Analysis, were used to group, refine, and validate the liveability variables. The results revealed 21 significant variables that collectively could achieve a 92.9% satisfaction rate among residents if incorporated into public housing design. These findings underline the potential of addressing liveability in the pursuit of sustainable housing solutions, offering insights for urban planners, architects, and policymakers. By focusing on the residents' perspectives, the study contributes to a more user-centred approach in public housing development, promoting long-term satisfaction and reducing the need for post-occupancy alterations.

Am I being abandoned? The value of retirement homes in Malaysian society

Purpose The world population over the age of 60 is expected to increase from 900 million in 2015 to two billion by 2050. Retirement homes have emerged as a prominent housing alternative and become a trend for the older adults; however, older population in Malaysia could have a negative view of retirement homes. Different generations could have different perceptions of the value of retirement homes. This study aims to explore the value of retirement homes across diverse age cohorts in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach is adopted for this study. Thematic analysis is used to analyse the interview transcripts obtained from semi-structured interviews. Findings The results indicated that baby boomers tend to have more negative values towards retirement homes, whereas Generations X and Y demonstrated more favourable and positive values for retirement homes. Originality/value This study serves as a useful reference for housing developers, policymakers and the management of retirement homes to better understand how different age cohorts value retirement homes, thereby encouraging relevant housing strategies to enhance the quality and support systems of retirement homes in society.