Sustainable Housing Provision Research Articles

Home swapping as instrument for more housing sufficiency!

The current ecological challenges with an urgent necessity to reduce consumption of energy and resources call for a reconsideration of many aspects of current (western) lifestyles. Since housing is one major source of energy and resource consumption, the development of a sustainable housing provision is of upmost importance. Unfortunately, the public debate is constricted to efficiency and consistency measures, based on technical improvements, which do not question norms and values leading to necessary lifestyle changes. Such a one-sided approach will fall short for various reasons – the most important being the ever-increasing per capita housing space that cancels out efficiency gains. Instead, discussions on an environmentally sound housing provision should consider the concept of sufficiency, leading to a reduction of the physical building stock due to a decrease in per capita consumption. Despite acknowledging the necessity of a reduced per capita living space, the academic debate remains quite limited without offering appropriate systematic strategies. Thus, this paper takes up the instrument of home swapping to discuss its holistic value, adding to the debate on sufficiency strategies in the field of housing. It is shown that home swapping has enormous potential to reduce per capita housing space by better allocating living space.

Designing Sustainable Housing Using a User-Centred Approach: Paipe Case Study

This paper presents a user-centred design method for developing prototype housing designs in the Paipe community of Abuja, Nigeria, addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). UCD is a qualitative methodology that prioritises end users in the design process. This study employs qualitative methods to collect data through interviews, field surveys, and site analysis using a single case study. The UCD approach was used to develop a profile of residents and identify their needs and preferences. Thematic analysis of the data led to the creation of design specifications and prototype designs. Two design options were developed: a cluster design based on field survey observations and an enclosed modern design based on residents’ preferences. This study contends that user-centred design (UCD) is essential for sustainable housing provision in LMICs, aligning with the United Nations’ adequate-housing programme.

The use of alternative building technologies as a sustainable affordable housing solution: perspectives from South Africa

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the perception of the local experts and end users on the drivers, barriers and strategies to the use of alternative building technologies (ABTs), with a focus on sandbag building technologies (SBTs) in the provision of sustainable housing in South Africa towards improving the public's understanding of SBTs. Design/methodology/approach This research adopted a qualitative approach that used focus group meetings as the primary data collection method for this study. This study's focus group participants comprised ABT experts and end users of ABT houses in South Africa who were selected using a convenient sampling technique. The data were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo 11 software. Findings This study found that the perceived drivers to using ABTs such as SBT comprise sustainability, affordability, job creation potentials, fire-resistant and earthquake resistance. This study revealed strategies for the SBTs, including awareness, building sandbag prototypes across cities and training. Practical implications This study's findings have practical implications for the practice and praxis of ABT implementation and uptake in South Africa. This study provides a framework for broadening the worldwide understanding of use and uptake of SBTs to provide sustainable and affordable housing. Originality/value This study adds significantly to the limited body of knowledge on ABTs, focusing on sandbag houses. Consequently, the findings provide policymakers with information on the expert and end-user perspectives on the barriers and strategies to using ABTs.

Towards a concept of sustainable housing provision in Ukraine

This paper is aimed to carry out the historical analysis of various state strategies concerning their role in housing provision to the citizens and to define the relevant results. The author strives to demonstrate also the severity of the actual problem and to propose a conceptual basis that could help to outline new strategic tasks. The study used historical and logical analysis of recent trends caused by long-lasting legal limitations which were not taken into account in most studies as to housing policy. About 80% of all houses in the cities, which have been built up to 1980, stay not yet been repaired and, to prevent collapse, require urgent major repair and modernization. The rising tariff for housing services, unlike all post-socialist countries, does not include a renovation component which could double the actual household housing expenses. In recent years half of all families in the country have applied for subsidies to pay for raised-in-times utility services. The challenge arises of how to transform their housing property. The similar international practice and Ukrainian management experience are not sufficient. The main housing policy problem is the mismatch between the housing provision and the lack of legal and financial opportunities for sustainable satisfaction.

Factors Militating against the Contributions of Co-operative Societies to Sustainable Housing Provision in Ogun State, Nigeria

The past housing policies in Nigeria recognised housing co-operatives as a viable way of increasing the production of housing units. This recognition necessitates the identification of ways through which improvement in the housing delivery of co-operative societies could be achieved. The study aims to identify the factors militating against the contributions of co-operative societies in the delivery of housing and the influence of these factors on housing provision in the study area to optimise their housing delivery output. A review of relevant literature revealed a number of factors that were tested with the use of copies of the questionnaire administered on the respondents whose total number from each of the 52 co-operatives that responded to the study, as determined by proportionate sampling, summed up to 418. The data collected were analysed with the use of IBM SPSS (version 20) software. Severity index and mean weighted scores were used to rank the factors identified. The study showed that ten out of the eleven factors identified in the literature have a significant effect on housing provision and were ranked as follows: opportunism, corruption and greed; high cost of building materials; difficulty in getting finance; difficulty in accessing affordable land; lack of provision for technical support; and limited access to technical services. Others are unavailability of training institutions, lack of provision for logical and administrative support, unskilled leadership and lack of adequate provision for beneficial legislative and policy framework. Categorical regression analysis was carried out to determine the influence of these factors on housing provision components. The result showed that the unavailability of training institutions has the greatest influence on housing provision. In view of these findings, the study recommended the evolvement of policy statements that promote the mitigation of the ten factors; and that training institutions for members be made readily available to increase the housing production capacity of co-operative societies.

Sustainable housing development dynamics in the Global South: refl ections on theories, strategies and constraints

Background: Sustainability has been on the front burner of global debates in the 21st century because of the three commons: economic development, social equity and environmental stability. Central to the debate on sustainability is housing. Housing, as a fixed, physical structure can undermine development by constituting threats to the physical environment, and housing as an economic commodity can invigorate the process of development by increasing GDP through diverse job creations and revenue generations. However, the intersection of housing development, physical environment and sustainability in the Global South has been under-reported. Aim: The aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate on sustainable housing provision in the Global South based on three valid questions: How can affordable housing be produced for the teeming population, how can sustainable, quality housing be produced, and how can the impacts of housing on the physical environment be regulated?Results and conclusion: The paper discusses housing deficits, sustainable housing development strategies, challenges of sustainable housing provision and potential solutions to sustainable housing development in the Global South region. This paper has useful policy and practical implications for housing development in developing countries.

Planning and policy effectiveness toward sustainable housing provision in Indonesia through econometric approach

Abstract To foster spatial planning, effective instruments are needed so that the implementation of space utilization is in accordance with the expected goals so that resources remain efficient, investment calculations become more real, and environmental balance in sustainable urban development is maintained. Housing development is often delayed (planning delay) due to the inefficient land provision process, on the other hand the housing backlog is increasing to 800,000 units per year so it is necessary to investigate the effectiveness of planning, especially in the housing sector that has been running in Indonesia. Econometry as a quantitative approach with various variances of analysis techniques has many benefits but has not been widely integrated in planning, especially in calculating the effectiveness of instruments in achieving spatial planning goals. This article aims to examine the effectiveness of planning, especially related to land value and housing development through an econometric model approach by taking samples in Surabaya. The technique used is multiple regression analysis which shows the level of influence between seven independent variables, consist of number of lots, accessibility, land status, types of developers, infrastructure, spatial policies, and sectoral strategies; while the dependent variable is the effectiveness of planning indicated by the development rate. Based on the regression results, it takes an average of one month to be constant, if other variables are considered absent, or it is interpreted that the phenomenon of housing development tends to be slower than housing planning in sectoral plans and spatial plans.

Sustainable Housing Provision: A Case for the Vertical Extension of Steel Framed Buildings

AbstractThe UK is experiencing unprecedented housing demand, with traditional provision in suburbanised clusters now known to have negative environmental, economic and social impacts. An alternative to this is residential densification through vertical extension; generating a more sustainable urban form whilst also serving to increase circularity of material flows within the construction industry and reduce whole‐life carbon and energy requirements. As a result of their relative abundance, inherent durability, and ease of adaptation, multi storey steel framed buildings are particularly pertinent in this context. It is also likely that sufficient reserve structural capacity exists within this typology; resulting from overdesign, the employment of simplified analytic design methods, and the limited number of section sizes available for use. The relative portion of reserve buckling capacity originating from these sources is assessed using a modified version of the effective length method to account for column continuity in multi‐storey steel frames. This reveals the consideration of column continuity to contribute an average of 1.23 kN/m2 of reserve buckling capacity across typical office buildings, with the amount resulting from section size limitations varying with design scenario.

Housing materials as predictors of under-five mortality in Nigeria: evidence from 2013 demographic and health survey

BackgroundNigeria is among countries with high Under-Five Mortality (U5M) rates worldwide. Both maternal and childhood factors have been linked to U5M in the country. However, despite the growing global recognition of the association between housing and quality of life, the role of housing materials as predictors of U5M remain largely unexplored in Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated the relationship between housing materials and U5M in Nigeria.MethodsThe study utilised the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data. A representative sample of 40,680 households was selected for the survey. The sample included 18,516 women of reproductive age who had given birth in the past 5 years prior the survey; with attention on the survival status of the index child (the most recent delivery). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Cox-proportional hazard and Brass 2-parameter models (α = 0.05).ResultsThe hazard ratio of U5M was 1.46 (C.I = 1.02–1.47, p < 0.001) and 1.23 (C.I = 1.24–1.71, p < 0.001) higher among children who lived in houses built with inadequate and moderate housing materials respectively than those in good housing materials. Under-five deaths show a downward trend (slope = −0.4871) relative to the housing materials assessment score. The refined U5M rate was 143.5, 127.0 and 90.8 per 1000 live birth among women who live in houses built with inadequate, moderate and adequate housing materials respectively. Other predictors of U5M were; the size of the child at birth, preceding birth interval, prenatal care provider, residence and education. Under-five death reduces with increasing maternal level of; education, wealth quintile, media exposure and housing material type and mostly experienced by Muslim women (6.0%), rural women (6.5%) and women residence in the North-West geopolitical zones (6.9%).ConclusionsLiving in houses built with poor housing materials promoted U5M in Nigeria. Provision of sustainable housing by the government and the maintenance of existing housing stock to healthful conditions will play a significant role in reducing the burden of U5M in Nigeria.

A REVIEW OF HOUSING PROVISION AND THE CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE HOUSING DELIVERY IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA, NIGERIA

Housing, despite being one of the essential elements in the sustainability of human existence, remains a challenge particularly in the global south. Nigeria, the most populous country in west Africa has a gross housing deficit of seventeen million houses. This deficit keeps increasing due to high rate of urbanization and population growth thereby resulting in high rent, overcrowding and poor living conditions. Numerous research studies predominantly focused on investigating the challenges of housing delivery on the basis of quantity and quality perspectives. However, there is a dearth of evidence-based studies regarding the challenges militating against sustainable housing provision. This paper attempts to fill this gap by presenting an overview of the housing provision and the challenges militating against sustainable housing provision in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria. The article indicated that despite concerted efforts involving the adoption of both public sector “provider” and “enabler” approaches, challenges still exit towards sustainable housing delivery particularly to the low-income group. The paper recommends that housing policies and programs in the country should be designed to address the multi benefit objectives of social, economic and environmental dimensions of housing so as to achieve sustainable housing delivery in the country.

A Review of Governmental Intervention on Sustainable Housing Provision for Urban Poor in Nigeria

Earlier studies investigating housing policies In Nigeria have not explicitly considered the level of implementation of housing policies goals despite the facts that housing policies dictate the nature of development of housing in the country. This paper therefore examined the various interventions of government on sustainable housing provision in Nigeria. A detailed literature review on the existing housing policies and programmes in Nigeria was carried out. This was done with a view to determining the level of implementation of the housing policies, identifying the various problems militating against the achievement of the goals of housing policies and suggesting possible recommendations towards addressing the problems.

Sustainable Affordable Housing Provisions for Young Urban Households in Chinese Cities

The rate of homeownership in Chinese cities increased from less than 20% in the 1980s to 82% in 2007. However, such a high rate mainly resulted from the welfare housing policy which was abolished in 1998. In recent years, it has become much more difficult to become a homeowner in China, particularly for the 1980s generation who neither could qualify for public rental housing units nor afford private houses for self-use in urban areas. The sharp hike in housing prices in the past few years in Chinese cities has made homeownership a great challenge to lower income groups. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges of promoting homeownership among young urban households. This paper also offers suggestions regarding sustainable housing provision for them.

Eviction Management in South Africa: Implications for Sustainable Housing Provision

On the 9 th of October 2012, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, once again, in the case of Schubart Park Residents' Association and others v City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and Another (CCT 23/12) (2012) ZACC 26 (9 October 2012) herein referred to as (Schubart case) handed down a groundbreaking judgment on arbitrary eviction of people from their homes without the authority making proper arrangement for alternative accommoda tion for the evictees. This paper contribu tes to the ongoing deba te on the impr oper handling and failure of leadership in the management of eviction processes by those who bear the constitutional responsibility to protect the socio-economic right to access to adequate housing. The paper highlights government's strategic interventions and various legal frameworks that have been put in place to manage eviction. The paper presents an argument for reform and emphasizes the need for eviction management. To this end, the pa per reviews numerous decisions of the courts and presents reasons why the courts should continue to be proactive by denying the request of evictors to evict people from their land and homes

Affordable Housing for First-Time Homebuyers: Issues and Implications from the Malaysian Experience

There is little evidence to inform discussion of the challenges of meeting housing needs of first-time homebuyers in conditions of rapid urbanisation in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges of promoting home ownership for first-time Malaysian homebuyers. This paper also offers suggestions regarding sustainable housing provision for them to own their home. In order to achieve sustainability in the housing delivery system, affordable housing schemes must be economically viable, socially acceptable and technically feasible. Government should be transparent about logistics, location, pricing and implementation to ensure that there is action behind the words.

Sustainable Housing Provision: Preference for the Use of Interlocking Masonry in Housing Delivery in Nigeria

Th is paper reports a study on the preference level for the use of interlocking masonry over the conventional types in sustainable housing delivery in Nigeria. Globally, buildings are the largest energy consumers and greenhouse gases emitters, consuming over 50% in som e cases. Co mmon materials used for masonry works in housing delivery in Nigeria such as sandcrete blocks and burnt bricks impact high energy and greenhouse gases on the environment due to the production processes involved. Intelligent choice of building materials capable of reducing energy used in buildings is imperative towards achieving materials efficiency and cost reduction. In this study, a comparative survey was carried out empirically among selected professionals in the building industry from 4 out the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria through the use of questionnaire, direct observations, and interview schedules. Analyses of Chi-square test for significance of differences between materials price rating and acceptability of interlocking masonry as well as level o f willingness of respondents to use the selected materials for future pro jects were conducted. Findings signify shorter time of construction and reduced cost of construction expended when interlocking blocks are used. The study concludes that interlocking masonry is a good replacement to the conventional types in construction of housing in Nigeria.

The Effects of Land Use Act on Sustainable Housing Provision in Nigeria: The Lagos State Experience

We have watched over the decades the problems encountered in acquisition of land and subsequently in obtaining the approval of certificate of occupancy and housing delivery in Nigeria. In the commencement of the Land Use Act 1978, it was stated that “whereas it is in the public interest that the rights of all Nigerians to the land of Nigeria be asserted and preserved by law”. Our concern is not really another criticism against the Act but an in-depth evaluation of how it has achieved its aim if any in the mass provision of housing to the people. That is, where lays the hope of the masses in the current wave of high cost of acquisition of land? It should be noted that one of the cogent reasons why the Act came into existence was because of the nature of trusteeship of land in the past; it was difficult for just anyone to get access to land. Could we now say it is very easy for just anyone to get access to land? Therefore, this research paper critically re-examined in-depth the motives behind the act vis-à-vis the present realities and the implication on housing provision; evaluate the achievements realized so far in terms of implementation since the promulgation of the act and ways to facilitate and sustain housing delivery; and review the areas of bottlenecks and suggest possible ways of ameliorating the identified problems.

The suitability of Public Private Partnerships in the provision of sustainable housing in China

China faces a shortfall in its provision of affordable housing. This paper explores the potential to use Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to address these supply problems. A review of the housing market and an examination of its historical development is presented. This is followed by an examination of PPP approaches and the rationale underpinning them. A survey of state and private sector practitioners is undertaken to evaluate the appropriateness of PPP in the Chinese housing sector. The results highlight PPP is viable but there are a number of institutionally constraints that must be overcome to achieve the full benefits.