Public vs. private sector-led affordable housing: Evaluating implications for commuting length in Shenzhen, China

• New multi-criteria framework for evaluating passive retrofits in high-rise housing. • Retrofit performance is assessed under current and projected 2050 RCP 4.5 climates. • West-facing, middle, and upper-level units showed the highest heat vulnerability. • Overhang shading plus mineral-wool is the most thermally resilient scenario. • Reflective paint plus mineral-wool is the most feasible, green, and low-cost option. Residents of affordable housing apartments often experience significant thermal discomfort due to poor insulation and the absence of HVAC systems. A warming climate, energy poverty, and associated health risks further exacerbate this vulnerability. Passive thermal retrofits offer potential improvements but require evaluation across multiple technical, environmental, and economic criteria. This study conducts a comprehensive assessment of passive retrofit performance for two high-rise government-subsidized housing buildings in Sydney, Australia. Building energy modelling (BEM) was used to simulate retrofit performance under current and projected 2050 (RCP4.5) climate conditions, enabling future-oriented evaluation of thermal resilience. The analysis integrates thermal comfort by orientation, floor level, and season with construction feasibility, environmental impacts, and cost, generating both criterion-specific and overall rankings through a Weighted Sum Model (WSM). This multi-criteria framework supports transparent, flexible, and stakeholder-sensitive decision-making. Findings indicate that west-facing units, followed by east-facing units, exhibit the greatest thermal discomfort annually and across all seasons, while middle and upper levels are more prone to overheating. Among retrofit scenarios, overhang shading combined with external mineral wool insulation (OS + MW) ranked highest when thermal comfort for both hot and cold periods was prioritized. In contrast, reflective paint with mineral wool (RP + MW) offered the most favourable feasibility, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient profile. The proposed framework provides a transferable method for improving thermal resilience in high-rise social housing

A neighborhood's psychological sense of community is shaped by residents’ rootedness and their participation in everyday activities such as walking or using green spaces. Having children, owning a home, or walking a dog are often positively associated with a stronger sense of belonging to the local environment. However, the social foundations of the subjective experience of belonging and emotional connection to one’s neighborhood remain underexplored. Moreover, relatively few empirical studies have examined multiple senses of community simultaneously. This study analyzes the relationship between the structural characteristics of personal networks and the psychological sense of community among residents of four neighborhoods in the historic center and one in the urban periphery of Seville, in southern Spain. In each case, we also compare the sense of belonging to the neighborhood and to the city. The community survey included 430 residents. Personal networks characterized by higher fragmentation and greater homophily were more common in the peripheral neighborhood, where residents also reported a comparatively lower sense of community than in the historic center. However, the strongest predictors of neighborhood- and city-level belonging were comparative perceived well-being, length of residence in the neighborhood, and the number of neighborhoods in which respondents had previously lived. • Social housing residents reported a weaker sense of community than those living in the city's historic center. • Residents in peripheral districts had more fragmented networks and greater homophily than those in central areas. • Wellbeing perceptions and length of residence were the strongest predictors of sense of community.

The provision of housing for civil servants was crucial for bureaucratic stability and productivity, yet public housing literature predominantly focused on low-income groups. This study evaluated the effectiveness of State Civil Apparatus (Aparatur Sipil Negara/ASN) vertical housing provision by the Ministry of Public Works (Pekerjaan Umum/PU) in Sleman Regency, focusing on allocation targeting accuracy and residents' quality of life enhancement. Employing a mixed-methods design, data were collected from 71 respondents (68 residents and 3 managers) through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and observations. The results indicated that the housing provision was functionally effective, characterized by high occupancy rates and proportional representation across administrative ranks. Quality of life also improved, as evidenced by increased commuting time efficiency, which enhanced work productivity and discipline. However, procedural effectiveness remained suboptimal due to offline quota allocation practices based on Working Units (Satuan Kerja/Satker), which distorted the integrated online registration system and neglected actual employee needs. Additionally, minimal communal social interaction raised concerns about neighborhood security. The study recommended abolishing the institutional quota system to reinstate objective digital selection and implementing community management programs to foster social cohesion.

Abstract Asset managers, private equity firms and other institutional investors have assumed an increasingly important role in the ownership and management of housing and infrastructure since the Global Financial Crisis. This article analyses how social housing in London is being transformed into a financial asset through an analysis of ‘income strip’ leases, long‐term contractual arrangements between institutional investors and local authorities. Building on insights from urban political economy and the social studies of finance, we explore the moral politics, temporal logics and forms of obligation and risk embedded in these financial arrangements. We situate the rise of income strips within a longer arc of state–market entanglements and argue that they exemplify a recursive and cyclical tendency in the local state's experimentation with private finance. At the level of the contract and the asset, we show how value and risk are distributed and negotiated, and how income strips produce hierarchies of obligation and indebtedness. While institutional investment into social housing is narrated as a ‘common sense’ policy solution that promises to fill the ‘housing gap’ and secure returns for workers’ retirement savings, we show how income strips erode security of tenure, increase rents and entangle states and tenants in new forms of financial obligation, foreclosing alternative political imaginaries.

Ahmad Yani Street is one of the main roads in Tegal City with a strategic function as a connector between urban areas and tourist destinations. Although classified as an urban road, its existing condition does not fully comply with technical standards. The sidewalks and shoulders are wider than the vehicle lanes, and the one-way traffic system makes the corridor more pedestrian-oriented. This study aims to analyze the suitability of Ahmad Yani Street's function as an urban and tourism road. The research method used was descriptive comparative through field observation, documentation, and analysis based on standards from Bina Marga and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing. The results show that Ahmad Yani Street has more characteristics of a tourism road due to its high aesthetic quality and pedestrian comfort, although the traffic performance for motorized vehicles remains limited. Ahmad Yani Street in Tegal City, with its pedestrian-oriented characteristics and high aesthetic quality, aligns more with the function of a tourism road than an urban road. While it provides comfortable spaces for pedestrians and enhances the tourist experience, the street's infrastructure does not fully meet the technical standards for urban roads, particularly in terms of vehicle lane width and traffic management.

This study investigated whether public senior housing mitigates the effect of low income on depression among older adults in South Korea. Data were drawn from two sources: the Public Senior Housing Residents Survey (n = 119) and the 2018 Seoul Welfare and Living Conditions of Older Adults Survey (n = 519). Regression analyses examined the independent contributions of income and housing type to depressive symptoms among older adults living alone and below the poverty line. Results indicated that low income was associated with higher levels of depression, but residence in public senior housing alleviated this detrimental effect. Public senior housing that integrates comprehensive care services and structured social activities appears to provide protective benefits. These findings suggest that public senior housing may serve as an important housing alternative for low-income older adults living alone who are particularly vulnerable to depression, underscoring its potential relevance for policy and future research on housing and well-being among older adults.

This article examines how people with disabilities experience the design of public urban spaces in a social housing area in Aarhus, Denmark. Drawing on 14 universal design–walks conducted with 17 participants, the study shows how ableist design practices create physical, mental, and social constraints in everyday life. Participants described how even short trips require extensive planning, how the urban environment restricts their possibilities for action, and how inadequate infrastructure often leads to directly dangerous situations. The analysis highlights three key insights: that the world (1) requires preparation, (2) imposes limitations, and (3) feels dangerous. The article discusses how these experiences stem from deeply embedded ableist design logics and argues that future design practices should be grounded in processes that actively include diverse perspectives in order to support equitable participation in urban space.

The regulation of urban development is closely related to the constant search for a balance of public and private interests. In this case, the institution of nonconforming use acts as one of the legal mechanisms for protecting previously acquired rights when changing urban planning regulations. The article examines the materials of judicial practice on the application of provisions on nonconforming use in disputes over the issuance of building (reconstruction) permits, as well as notifications under Art. 51.1 of the Urban Planning Code of the Russian Federation. The author concludes that courts, focusing on the doctrine of legitimate expectations, often broadly interpret the provisions of the Urban Planning and the Land Codes of the Russian Federation. In addition, judicial practice forms the difference in two ways: between the types of construction changes and between the construction projects. The latter comprises private housing construction that may be related, among other things, to the constitutional right to housing, as well as the regulatory considerations for real estate title registration.

Although access to decent and reasonably priced housing is still a huge global concern, housing is a basic human necessity. Homeownership has become challenging, particularly for low- and middle-class households, due to rising property costs, a lack of social housing, and wage inequality. With its low financing, community involvement, and common ownership, cooperative housing has become a feasible answer. Through systems including member savings, cooperative loans, and government assistance, cooperative housing finance plays a critical role in facilitating housing access while advancing social welfare and financial stability. According to research conducted worldwide, cooperative housing can lower housing prices, improve members' financial security, and fortify community ties. However, obstacles including expensive land or construction costs, governance problems, and policy shortages may restrict their effectiveness In order to provide insights into how cooperatives might be improved to meet the increasing demand for cheap and sustainable housing, this study attempts to assess cooperative housing financing policies and their effects on member welfare and financial stability.

ost Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is the process of obtaining feedback on a building’s functional performance after it has been built and occupied. POE collects information on building efficiency, patterns of energy use, and overall user satisfaction. This study applies POE to assess the satisfaction levels of residents in Prince Courts Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the aim of determining whether the public housing estate aligns with its initial design intentions and fulfils the government’s objectives in meeting residents’ needs. Quantitative data were obtained by administering questionnaires to 50 housing units in the housing estate. Descriptive and inferential techniques were used for the analysis. The analysis revealed that age, marital status, and household size all had positive and significant effects on residential satisfaction. However, socio-economic status, length of residency, and ownership status exhibited negative but significant relationships with satisfaction. The study concluded that most residents found their housing units satisfactory but at different levels of satisfaction based on age, length of residency, marital status and educational level. These variations highlight the need for public agencies to consider diverse resident characteristics in the development, management and planning of future improvements for public housing estates.

Housing affordability is a major concern in both the developed and developing nations. In Malaysia, middle income families (M40 earners) are gradually experiencing issues of affordable and quality housing especially in the urban regions. Although government programs like rent and income-related subsidies have been put in place, the issue of affordability in housing is still significant. Recognising this issue, the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (2021–2025) highlights the need to improve housing provision for the M40 earners. This study aims to identify suitable criteria for the equitable allocation of social housing for M40 earners in Malaysia. The study examined definitions, criteria, and practices of the available housing programs to conceptualise the social housing, and a questionnaire survey was conducted among the M40 earners in Johor Bahru to investigate their housing preferences and the level of their affordability. The results propose key criteria in social housing development that will be in a better position to accommodate housing needs of M40 earners. These findings may assist policymakers in improving housing policies and strengthening existing housing legislation in Malaysia.

Despite continuous provision, the underutilisation of Malaysian teacher quarters persists, highlighting a mismatch between housing availability and actual occupancy. While previous research heavily focuses on housing supply, the underlying behavioural dynamics driving utilisation remain underexplored. This research conceptualises housing utilisation as a sequential journey from awareness to application and eventual access. Drawing on a survey of 6,496 Ministry of Education personnel, this study investigates application tendencies alongside perceptions of living conditions. Results indicate a substantial disconnect between basic awareness and active application, proving awareness alone cannot guarantee engagement. While perceptions of housing quality hold statistical significance, their overall impact is marginal. Conversely, systemic barriers regarding limited availability and outcome uncertainty strongly dictate application decisions. Ultimately, these results emphasise addressing both behavioural hurdles and access limitations to optimise the use of current public housing assets.

The rise in Malaysia's ageing population has increased the need for housing environments that can support both ageing in place and multi-generational living. This study aims to assess the reliability of a newly developed framework that focuses on the features of housing environments which contribute to the quality of life for the active ageing community. A pilot study was conducted to assess the internal consistency of the survey instrument, which was developed based on physical and social housing features identified through an in-depth literature review. A total of 31 respondents from different generational groups in Shah Alam participated in the study. The findings showed strong internal reliability across most sub-features, including Accessibility and Walkability, Communal Areas, Assisted Technology Integration, Community Engagement, and Health and Well-Being. However, the Personal Privacy sub-features revealed a lower reliability score. Overall, the results demonstrate the instrument’s potential to guide a better housing design, policy making, and further research in creating inclusive, age-friendly environments that support intergenerational connection and support active ageing.

The construction sector plays a critical role in sustainability through effective construction waste management. In Indonesia, green building practices are guided by the Green Construction Site Index (GCSI) and the Minister of Public Works and Housing Regulation No. 21 of 2021; however, their strategic alignment with Lean Construction principles remains limited. This study examines the strategic integration of Lean Construction into green building regulations by validating regulatory-based indicators using the three Lean Construction pillars: Systems Management, Technology Management, and Culture and Behaviour. A questionnaire survey of construction practitioners was analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The results reveal a robust three-factor structure, accounting for 80.1% of the total variance, with Systems Management as the dominant dimension. The findings provide practical insights for strengthening regulatory coherence, improving waste reduction strategies, and enhancing sustainable performance during the construction phase of building projects.

Urban heat islands (UHIs) amplify the effects of climate change in cities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Social stratification, including income, race/ethnicity, housing tenure, and occupation, shapes differential exposure to extreme heat, mediates adaptive capacity, and contributes to inequities in health outcomes. Vulnerable populations residing in low-quality housing or neighborhoods with limited greenness face higher indoor and outdoor heat exposure, leading to increased cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, and mental health risks. This review examines the mechanisms linking urban heat, social stratification, and health, highlighting measurement strategies, data gaps, and methodological challenges. It further explores policy and intervention strategies, including equity-oriented urban planning, access to cooling, and community engagement, to mitigate heat-related health disparities. Addressing urban heat inequality requires interdisciplinary approaches that integrate social, environmental, and policy dimensions to promote climate justice and protect public health. Keywords: Urban Heat Islands (UHI), Social Stratification, Climate Justice, Health Inequities, and Adaptive Capacity.

Public rental housing in China has generated sharply divided assessments. Some scholars and policy commentators present it as a major welfare gain, while others describe it as remote, poorly serviced, and stigmatized. This dissertation addresses that divide through the lived experiences of rural migrants residing in Chongqing’s public rental housing estates. It asks what public rental housing means in everyday life for the people who depend on it. The study speaks to anthropological debates on migration, citizenship, household strategy, care, and everyday urban life in China. Based on sustained ethnographic fieldwork in three large public rental housing estates in Chongqing, it shows that migrant settlement was organized not only around wage work, but also around family life, childcare, schooling, and long-term urban survival. Public rental housing provided residents with affordable, relatively stable accommodation, access to public schools, and opportunities to build neighborhood ties and local support networks. At the same time, it exposed them to long commutes, peripheral location, uneven services, and the social stigma attached to subsidized housing. The dissertation offers a resident-centered account of public rental housing and shows both the real gains it provides and the limits it imposes on migrant urban life in contemporary China.

Harm reduction strategies effectively minimize the immediate health consequences of drug use, such as syringe exchange and overdose prevention. However, the critical role of access to adequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in mitigating these consequences remains underemphasized. This paper argues for the consideration of WASH services as an essential framework within the ongoing evolution of harm reduction, particularly for marginalized people who use drugs (PWUD) facing housing insecurity and limited access to public infrastructure. Lack of access to WASH services forces PWUD into high-risk practices, such as open defecation and using unsafe water for drug preparation and wound cleaning. WASH insecurity among PWUD is strongly associated with elevated risks of skin and soft tissue infections -a leading cause of hospitalization-as well as other infectious diseases, and the exacerbation of chronic conditions (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis C). Beyond direct morbidity, WASH insecurity diminishes dignity, contributing to social exclusion, hygiene-related stigma, and increased vulnerability to gender-based and other structural violence. Drawing on current evidence, this perspective article underscores the necessity of systemic intervention. Harm reduction programs are increasingly called to incorporate WASH items and services, including mobile hygiene units operating under principles of "radical hospitality," and advocate for broader policy solutions like 24/7 public restroom access and Housing First models with integrated WASH facilities. In sum I argue that integrating WASH is not merely a matter of basic amenity; it is a crucial, high-impact strategy for upholding the human rights of PWUD, substantially reducing preventable drug-related harms, and fostering greater social equity.

This paper examines the immediate aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire through the perspectives of those who experienced it. Drawing on twenty-four interviews with survivors, bereaved family members, local residents, and early responders, alongside Public Inquiry evidence and media reports, the analysis identifies three interlinked processes structuring the state’s response: abandonment, stigmatisation, and securitisation. The local authority and other statutory bodies were largely absent in providing coordinated care, leaving residents, families, and community organisations to organise relief. At the same time, racialised, classed, and territorial stigmas shaped how the community was understood and treated, while policing and security operations intensified. These dynamics reflect not only the uneven presence of the state but also broader neoliberal policies that devalue social housing estates and marginalised communities. By foregrounding first-hand accounts of the immediate aftermath of the fire, this paper offers original qualitative evidence on a period that remains under-documented in academic research.

Housing affordability is a persistent global challenge, shaped by interdependent financial, social, spatial, and governance dynamics. This study compares Malaysia and Spain, revealing systemic paradoxes in which surplus housing coexists with restricted access and costs increasingly outpace incomes. Using qualitative documentary analysis, cross-case comparison, and systems mapping, it identifies shared and context-specific structural contradictions, such as the spatial isolation of affordable units in Malaysia and the low supply of social housing in Spain. Findings highlight that housing crises emerge from complex, reinforcing interactions rather than simple supply shortages, underscoring the need for anticipatory, system-informed, context-sensitive approaches to housing planning.