Future Housing Development Research Articles

GIS-MCE based suitability analysis for sustainable estate development in Ede North LGA Osun State, Nigeria

Ideal areas for housing developments that are, for the most part, sustainable present critical issues in the planning and development of eco-friendly urban settlements. With this in mind and explicitly, Ede North LGA of Osun State was chosen as the case study, where a methodological framework for a land suitability analysis was adopted to identify suitable lands for real estate development with sustainability as a focus in the realization of global UN goals. This present study falls within the framework of the Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) analysis, which can be integrated into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) together with the Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP), useful for decision-making in site selection studies. For this purpose, computed relative weights from the pairwise comparisons (AHP) of 5 sub-models, i.e., terrain, environmental, socio-economic, available land, and soil factors, were inserted into the suitability analysis function of GIS and combined in a ‘Weighted Sum’ overlay operation to produce a final suitability map on a scale of 1–5, with 5 being the highest preference. Lastly, the ‘Locate Region’ Spatial Analyst tool was applied to the final suitability map to locate three (3) optimum locations to site the estate developments. Conclusively, in view of the analysis and discoveries made in this research, finding optimum locations via the GIS-MCE-based land suitability model for future housing development needs may prove highly resourceful. Hence, this study can likewise give a significant direction to future land use changes and practical and cost-effective arrangements in urban areas where conditions are similar to those in Ede North LGA.

Social networks and dispositional factors determining housing status of urban residents: evidence from Ethiopia

This article examines the social networks and dispositional factors that affect the housing status of urban residents. Despite their considerable role in the housing market, this paper stresses the limited attention these factors have received in housing studies. The study collected data from a sample of individuals in Sebeta, Ethiopia, and their impact on housing status was studied using various statistical and econometric methods. This study utilized empirical analysis to examine multiple social network factors, such as political affiliation, informal social networks, parental support, and past experiences in brokerage. The results highlighted the critical role that social and dispositional elements play in shaping housing status outcomes. Disparities in housing status were observed between individuals with and without social networks, and these differences were attributed to dispositional factors. The findings suggest that future housing development initiatives must account for individuals’ social and dispositional differences. Further research can build upon these findings to inform future housing policies that address these disparities.

The association of social capital and mental well‐being among older residents living in public housing in Macau Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) – A qualitative case study of Seac Pai Van

AbstractMacau is a rapidly aging city, with 13.8% of the population aged over 65. Social capital has been identified as a crucial protective factor for negative mental health outcomes, yet its relationship with mental health among older adults in Macau remains unclear. This study thematically analyzed the narratives of 19 in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews of Cantonese‐speaking elderly aged 60 or above residing in the Seac Pai Van public housing project, the largest public housing project in Macau. This study aimed to collect information on how social networks and social participation impact their mental well‐being that may shed light on the promotion of resident mental health in future public housing developments. Results revealed shallow social capital in the community and a high prevalence of loneliness among senior residents who resided in the studied estate. The study also shed light on the participants' thoughts on death, including suicidal ideation, and how they are shaped by their mental health situation and environment. The findings highlight the need to revisit the current mental health policy in Macau and address the urban and architectural design and social organization in new communities, empowering communities to build a friendly environment.

Overseeing Infill

Problem, research strategy, and findings Several U.S. states with high housing costs have recently adopted laws intended to promote infill development. These new laws expand state agencies’ supervisory responsibilities to ensure that local governments comply with state mandates. Effective administration of these laws will require state agencies to accurately estimate the amount of new housing that might be created and to target review to the jurisdictions that are failing to meet the relevant requirements. Here we present quantitative tools both for prioritizing review of local plans and zoning ordinances and for estimating future housing development. We applied the tools to the implementation of California laws requiring local governments to amend their zoning ordinances to allow accessory dwelling units on parcels zoned for detached single-family housing development. We provide computer code, written in the open-source statistical computing language R, that implements these tools. Although we present off-the-shelf tools, our proposed tools should supplement other regulatory techniques rather than serving as a substitute. Takeaway for practice Requirements for local governments to allow infill development should be accompanied by mandates for data collection. With good data, state agencies can use open-source statistical software to create quantitative measures that can help estimate future housing production and set priorities for reviewing local plans and zoning ordinances.

Sustainable urban forms in the Arabian Gulf: an evidence-based analysis of Kuwaiti social housing neighborhoods at Jaber Al-Ahmed City

In September 2015, the State of Kuwait signed the UN’s 2030 Agenda, committing to all 17 of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include the building of sustainable cities and communities through initiatives such as social housing. In response, the New Kuwait Vision 2035 has witnessed a shift in approach to the social housing paradigm at the state level. This paper examines the status of recent social housing projects in Jaber Al-Ahmed City, Kuwait, through a critical, evidence-based analysis of the decision-making processes and urban-architectural products that shaped its development. The mixed-methods data for this case study were generated via archival research and semi-structured interviews supplemented with field observations to evaluate the local and international sustainability agendas implemented in the city as process and product. Principles of Sustainable Urban Forms are implemented for the evaluation. The article also presents evidence of local urban practices (resident appropriation and participation), legitimized environmental practices, and community wellbeing. It concludes with recommendations for resolving issues in the current processes around the design and implementation of sustainable urban forms to inform future social housing developments. These recommendations for sustainable social housing in Kuwait provide an opportunity to revisit and reconsider the core values of sustainability while adding to the multiplicity of its definitions. Although recent social housing projects in Kuwait may demonstrate an overall effective process-to-product procedure as a means of architectural production that addresses the country’s housing demand, important aspects remain in question with regard to sustainable built environments.

Images making places: the role of image rhetoric in shaping the housing ideal in London

This article considers visual design as a complementary form of strategic planning that relies on images to sway the approval of future housing developments. The study of promotional materials in the city of London provides an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between represented and constructed space and on the rhetoric employed by the neoliberal real estate market. For this reason, the research is based on a transdisciplinary approach that merges hermeneutics and urban sciences. The results showed a strong correspondence between the alteration of the represented reality and the perception of the built environment. This trend is connected to a more general tendency towards the financialisation of architecture, which focuses on space simplification and the primacy of feelings. This exacerbates both visual and spatial inclusion processes, allowing us to address issues of access to housing, justice, and equity as a lens to observe and unpack a global trend with precise spatial outcomes.

A bibliometric and visual analysis of publications on artificial intelligence in colorectal cancer (2002-2022).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has the third-highest incidence and second-highest mortality rate of all cancers worldwide. Early diagnosis and screening of CRC have been the focus of research in this field. With the continuous development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, AI has advantages in many aspects of CRC, such as adenoma screening, genetic testing, and prediction of tumor metastasis. This study uses bibliometrics to analyze research in AI in CRC, summarize the field's history and current status of research, and predict future research directions. We searched the SCIE database for all literature on CRC and AI. The documents span the period 2002-2022. we used bibliometrics to analyze the data of these papers, such as authors, countries, institutions, and references. Co-authorship, co-citation, and co-occurrence analysis were the main methods of analysis. Citespace, VOSviewer, and SCImago Graphica were used to visualize the results. This study selected 1,531 articles on AI in CRC. China has published a maximum number of 580 such articles in this field. The U.S. had the most quality publications, boasting an average citation per article of 46.13. Mori Y and Ding K were the two authors with the highest number of articles. Scientific Reports, Cancers, and Frontiers in Oncology are this field's most widely published journals. Institutions from China occupy the top 9 positions among the most published institutions. We found that research on AI in this field mainly focuses on colonoscopy-assisted diagnosis, imaging histology, and pathology examination. AI in CRC is currently in the development stage with good prospects. AI is currently widely used in colonoscopy, imageomics, and pathology. However, the scope of AI applications is still limited, and there is a lack of inter-institutional collaboration. The pervasiveness of AI technology is the main direction of future housing development in this field.

WORKING-FROM-HOME (WFH) PRACTICE FOR URBAN POOR RESPONDING TO PANDEMIC SITUATION

The situation where one can practise working from home is not easy for some people in Malaysia, especially those with limited space at home. Working from home (WFH), on the other hand, needs to be rethought and thoroughly examined for individuals in the bottom 40 percent (B40) for a variety of reasons. A total of 144 samples from low-income households in Shah Alam responded to the structured questionnaire. The questionnaire focuses on two main investigations: (1) the WFH conditions in terms of space and environment among the B40; and (2) how they manage WFH distractions in connection to the house space and environment. According to survey results, most respondents prefer working in a bedroom or living room since it is a more pleasant environment. The availability of electrical plugs, internet access, and adequate ventilation are further considerations that influence their choice of workspace. The survey’s findings indicated that the lack of a comfortable workspace made the majority of respondents unhappy about practising WFH. The majority of responders suggested that future bedrooms be larger to guarantee that those practising WFH are comfortable. The results of this study are expected to enhance the planning and design of residential living space and pave the way for future low-cost housing development that places greater emphasis on the well-being of the urban poor.

Diagonal corner cracks of slabs at end units of apartment buildings in Singapore

Frequent reports about the occurrence of diagonal corner cracks of slabs at end units of public housing buildings were received before 1985. A forensic study was undertaken in 1985 to identify the causes of such cracks and the necessary measures to eliminate such cracks in all future public housing developments. The methodology of the study adopted was to carry out a detailed investigation of the cracks reported in five public housing buildings in different new towns all over Singapore. Schematic sketches and/or crack widths of such cracks at each dwelling units are reported for each of the case studies. The causes of such cracks were a combination of design and construction issues. After the implementation of remedial measures, the occurrence of diagonal corner cracks of slabs at end units of the newly constructed public housing buildings became significantly less common.

GIS-MCE based suitability analysis for sustainable estate development in Ede North LGA Osun State, Nigeria

Ideal areas for housing developments that are, for the most part, sustainable, present critical issues in the planning and development of eco-friendly urban settlements. With this in mind and explicitly, Ede North LGA of Osun state was chosen as the case study where a methodological framework for a land suitability analysis was adopted to identify suitable lands for real estate development with sustainability as a focus in the realization of global UN goals. This present study falls within the framework of the Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) analysis, which can be integrated into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) together with the Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP), useful for decision making in site selection studies. For this purpose, computed relative weights from the pairwise comparisons (AHP) of 5 sub-models, i.e., terrain, environmental, socio-economic, available land and soil factors, were inserted into the suitability analysis function of GIS and combined in a ‘Weighted Sum’ overlay operation to produce a final suitability map on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest preference. Lastly, the ‘Locate Region’ Spatial Analyst tool was applied to the final suitability map to locate three (3) optimum locations to site the estate developments. Conclusively, in view of the analysis and discoveries made in this research, finding optimum locations via the GIS–MCE based land suitability model for future housing development needs may prove highly resourceful. Hence, this study can likewise give a significant direction to future land use changes and practical and cost-effective arrangements in the urban areas where conditions are similar to those in Ede North LGA.

RESIDENTS’ EXPERIENCE IN TIMBER APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN FINLAND

ABSTRACT Residents’ attitudes towards new bio-based products such as wood play an important role in the anticipated transition towards a forest-based bioeconomy. Timber apartment buildings (over two-story) represent a modern bio-based business opportunity for endorsing low-carbon urban housing. This paper investigated residents’ experience in timber apartment buildings in Finland. In this study, a questionnaire was conducted among residents. The 308 received responses highlighted that: (1) residents were mostly quite satisfied with their current residence, living environment, and apartment’s functionality, (2) respondents had generally a positive attitude towards overall appearance and architecture of their buildings, (3) the majority thought that ecological issues would influence their own choice of residence, (4) presence of fire alarm system and automatic sprinkler system were assessed as the factors that improve life safety, (5) participants mostly drew attention to the properties of timber apartment buildings regarding good sound insulation and good indoor climate, and (6) surveyed residents would most like to move into two-story residential buildings and apartment buildings. These results will help provide a better understanding of the contemporary timber residential market and constitute a basis for interested parties e.g. policymakers, developers, and construction companies to pave better ways for future housing development in Finland.

RESIDENTIAL SATISFACTION ASSESSMENT IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING SCHEMES: EXPERIENCE FROM COLOMBO SUBURBS

Housing is not just one of the most basic human needs, but it also serves as an indicator of the population's living standards. The satisfactory housing with adequate facilities meets the quality standards, users’ expectations and aspirations. When the government built public houses eventually the private sector also tends to build their own housing schemes to reside people. However, there is an issue regarding the satisfactory housing indicates the residents’ quality of living with residential satisfaction. Therefore, the study evaluated the residential satisfaction that means from meeting a need or goal in public housing scheme and private housing scheme in Colombo Municipal Council limits, Sri Lanka. The study measures the residential satisfaction through three indicators which were; dwelling unit feature and quality, housing supportive services and neighborhood environment. Convenient sampling adopted to select 100 households to conduct the questionnaire survey in both housing schemes. SmartPLS was used to get the quantitative findings of the study. In private housing schemes, residents are more satisfied with dwelling unit features and the housing supportive services are significantly influenced for the residential satisfaction. In public housing scheme, the residents are satisfied on neighborhood environment which makes the positive influence for the residential satisfaction. Therefore, as per the findings, it adds value to the field of research in the residential setting. In addition, this research is essential to guide the improvement of residents’ satisfaction in future housing development projects in Sri Lanka.
 Keywords: Residential Satisfaction, Dwelling Unit Feature Quality, Housing Support Services, Neighborhood Environment, Public and Private Housing

Exploring views on design and service factors for improving housing development green space quality in Taiwan

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to learn views from design teams, housing developers and users for housing development green space quality that could best enhance occupant well-being and real-estate value addition. Through literature review, 26 landscape design and service factors were identified and tested via a questionnaire survey conducted in Taiwan. Participants (N = 380) evaluated the importance level of the proposed factors with five-point Likert scale. Friedman Ranking Test and Kruskal-Wallis Test were used to analyse data. The results showed that ease of maintenance, regulation compliance and energy saving were the top factors for all participants. These are the economic advantage, bidder characteristics and environmental awareness concerns. Life cycle design and water retention and detention factors were evaluated as the critical factors from the potential housing developer and buyers. Green infrastructure connection and neighbourhood connection were ranked as very important factors for landscape architects. Landscape architects to practice with license and use LIM/BIM in project was particularly expected by the potential housing buyers with high importance level. The preliminary findings of this research can assist public housing agency and private developers for policy and decision making effectively in future housing development green space projects.

Towards degrowth housing development? Lessons from a scenario-based gaming session in the Oslo region

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the potentials and barriers to the realisation of a degrowth scenario in housing development in the Oslo region. The point of departure is a previously designed radical degrowth scenario, which depicts a future housing development that is both environmentally sustainable and socially just. Through a gaming session with housing stakeholders in the Oslo region, I investigated the elements hindering or facilitating the degrowth scenario. This paper analyses the results of the gaming session using morphogenetic theory, theory of political economy of environmental sustainability and critical urban theory. The results of the gaming session reveal important structural hindrances to the scenario within the current housing model, which directly depends on the socio-economic structures of capitalism. The article promotes a debate concerning housing for degrowth and a reflection on the deep socio-economic conditions for degrowth transformation.

A Framework for Optimal Placement of Rooftop Photovoltaic: Maximizing Solar Production and Operational Cost Savings in Residential Communities

Abstract Optimizing the placement of photovoltaic (PV) panels on residential buildings has the potential to significantly increase energy efficiency benefits to both homeowners and communities. Strategic PV placement can lower electricity costs by reducing the electricity fed from the grid during on-peak hours, while maintaining PV panel efficiency in terms of the amount of solar radiation received. In this article, we present a framework that identifies the ideal location of PV panels on residential rooftops. Our framework combines energy and environmental simulation, parametric modeling, and optimization to inform PV placement as it relates to and affects the entire community (in terms of both energy use and financial cost), as well as individual buildings. Ensuring that our framework accounts for shading from nearby buildings, different utility rate structures, and different buildings’ energy demand profiles means that existing communities and future housing developments can be optimized for energy savings and PV efficiency. The framework comprises two workflows, each contributing to optimal PV placement with a unique target: (a) maximizing PV panel efficiency (i.e., solar generation) and (b) minimizing operational energy cost considering utility rate structures for operational energy. We apply our framework to a residential community in Fort Collins, Colorado, to demonstrate the optimal PV placement, considering the two workflow targets. We present our results and illustrate the effect of PV location and orientation on solar energy production efficiency and operational energy cost.

Occupants' Health and Their Living Conditions of Remote Indigenous Communities in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Ministry of Health reported that respiratory disease affects 700,000 people, annually costs New Zealand NZ$7.05 billion, and is the third-highest cause of death. The hospitalisation rate for asthma of Māori communities is 2.0 higher than that of other ethnic groups, and hospitalisation rates for deprived homes are 2.3 times higher than those of the least deprived homes. Based on physical data and evidence, which were drawn from a mixed methodology that includes field studies of the indoor microclimate, dust-mite allergens, mould growth, and occupants’ Respiratory Health Survey of a number of sample houses of Māori communities in Minginui, Te Whaiti, Murupara, and Rotorua of New Zealand, the study identifies unhealthy indoor thermal conditions, thresholds or ranges of indoor micro-climate related to different levels of dust-mite allergen and mould growth, the most common type of indoor mould, and correlations between dust-mite and mould and correlations. The study not only identified that the poor health of occupants is closely related to their inadequate living conditions, but also identifies the threshold of indoor micro-climates to maintain indoor allergens at the acceptable level, which can be used as a guideline to maintain or improve indoor health conditions for future housing development or retrofitted old housing.

Math Students help their Community develop Balanced Refuse Collection Routes

In fall of 2017, the Superintendent of Public Works for Kutztown Borough approached Kutztown University’s Department of Mathematics seeking help in “re-balancing” refuse collection routes in the Borough of Kutztown. Historically, refuse was collected two days a week on the south side (Mondays and Thursdays) of Main Street and two days a week on the north side (Tuesdays and Fridays) of Main Street. Wednesdays were used for recycling collection. Over the years, new housing development was primarily on the north side of Main Street. As a result of this development, refuse collection time had become “unbalanced”; requiring more time for the north side collection. During the spring semester 2018, several math majors in their last semester at Kutztown University developed a new refuse collection strategy. This strategy balanced collection times over the four collection days and just as importantly, minimized the modifications to the existing routes. Additionally, a minimum number of residents were impacted while accounting for future housing development. Their strategy has been successfully used in the Borough of Kutztown since August 2018.

Integrating environmental sustainability and social justice in housing development: two contrasting scenarios

The article discusses futures in housing development by applying the approaches from ‘future studies’ to design two explorative scenarios reflecting alternative strategies for achieving sustainable and just housing development. The main aim is to develop scenarios that can achieve a specific normative goal: a future housing development that is both environmentally sustainable and socially just. Two scenarios are built – ecological modernisation and degrowth – that reflect different degrees of societal change, ranging from conventional to radical. The scenarios are applied to the two selected cases of the Milan and Oslo regions, drawing on the statistics of the contextual housing system and the document analysis on planning and housing. We further discuss how the specific scenarios can take place and which challenges will be encountered.

Exploring the feasibility of future housing development within existing cities

In cities around the world, housing demand is increasing rapidly. Since housing supply is inelastic, house prices are rising as well, which causes affordability problems. Although there is consensus about the need to raise production, there is debate about its location: within the existing city, on underused or derelict buildings and sites, or on greenfield land outside existing city boundaries? The question we address is how researchers on the science–policy interface can support these debates and facilitate evidence-based decision-making. We address two major problems while doing this: (1) the complexity of the object at hand, that is, of the development of urban systems and (2) the politicised nature of science-for-policy. The contribution of this paper is that it links complexity theory to the literature about science-for-policy, two usually unconnected literatures. An additional contribution is that it shows how the role of the scientist as ‘honest broker’, as developed by Roger Pielke, can be operationalised and applied to existing policy debates. We do that for the Dutch debate about housing development in existing urban areas.

FINDINGS FROM THE ENTOURAGE NOORD PROJECT: CO-CREATING NEW HOUSING MODELS FOR OLDER ADULTS IN BRUSSELS

In response to the challenge of an ageing population and the housing crisis in Brussels, the practice-based project ‘Entour-Age Noord: Inspiring and innovative housing & work’ was launched. A main objective was to develop various innovative and small-scaled housing models for older adults. The new housing models were designed to reinforce quality of life of older people who are ageing in the neighbourhood whilst allowing them to choose the models best suited to their needs and wishes. Given the complexity and multidimensionality, participatory-action research was used and the project was divided into six different ‘work packages’ (WP’s). Within these WP’s, different stakeholders and end users (older people, informal caregivers, neighbourhood residents, Community Land Trust, etc.) were involved during various activities (service design methodology, architectural workshops, inspiring visits, focus groups etc.) in order to co-create the answers. First, based on the results, eight personas (=conceptual models of targeted groups) were developed. Second, stemming from the participants needs and wishes (e.g. desire for more social interaction), architectural and spatial design characteristics were detected (e.g. provide common/shared spaces that stimulate encounter). Based on these personas and spatial characteristics, two prototypes of new housing models were conceptually elaborated on paper and two were operationalized and prepared in practice. The spatial and architectural characteristics are not limited to old age but can be of interest of any age group. Future housing developments could take these suggestions into consideration. Furthermore, experiences, opportunities and pitfalls of a co-creative decision-making process with older adults will be discussed.