Residential Housing Research Articles

A hybrid solar-driven membrane distillation-assisted liquid desiccant air conditioning system: Mathematical modeling and feasibility analysis

Membrane distillation (MD) is a promising method for liquid desiccant (LD) regeneration as it can mitigate LD carryover and produce freshwater as a by-product. Previous research on MD regeneration was mainly focused on performance evaluation and optimization of the regenerator itself. This paper proposed a hybrid solar-driven direct contact MD (DCMD) regeneration-assisted liquid desiccant air conditioning (LDAC) system for air dehumidification, cooling, and freshwater production. A mathematical model for the DCMD regenerator was first developed by considering both temperature and concentration polarizations. This model was validated against the experimental data in terms of the outlet channel temperature and LD solution concentration in the feed tank with relative deviations of ± 9.8 % and ± 0.5 %, respectively. The DCMD model was further integrated into an LDAC system with a batch-wise operation. To investigate the technical feasibility of the proposed system, a one-week simulation was conducted in a residential house during summer in a tropical climate area of Australia. The results showed that the latent heat load was effectively removed from the process air and the regenerated liquid desiccant solution can meet the dehumidification requirement with a concentration over 30.0 wt%. The dehumidification rate and regeneration rate were at 0.49–1.25 kg/h and 0.95–4.25 kg/h, respectively. Solar energy contributed to 52 %-78 % of the total system thermal energy consumption. Furthermore, this system can produce 11.0–12.8 kg of water daily.

Neighborhood externalities modify the nexus between residential land and housing prices: A joint analysis using regression tree models

Neighborhood externalities influence residential land prices and housing prices simultaneously, contributing to a nexus relationship between them. Most existing studies have focused on the causal relationship between the two, with limited attention to their nexus. This research matched land parcel transactions from 2003 to 2015 and housing transaction records with purchasers’ housing purchase records before 2019 to construct a spatial-temporal land-housing dataset in Shanghai. Both spatial statistical tools and regression tree models were employed to explore the underlying mechanism, focusing on proximity to industries. According to the modeling results, residential land prices and housing prices are highly sensitive to polluting industries and producer service industries. The impacts of polluting industries on residential land prices have intensified, but the impacts on housing prices have not. The regression tree models further showed that living service industries were the primary positive contributor to residential land and housing prices. Regarding the social environment, non-local people are taking over communities with high-priced housing on high-value residential land parcels. These research outcomes encourage more efforts to explore the determinants of the nexus between residential land prices and housing prices, rather than discussion of the causality relationship.

Conjugated metabolites of bisphenol A and bisphenol S in indoor dust, outdoor dust, and human urine

Bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) have been widely spread in the global environment. However, for conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites, limited studies have investigated their occurrence in environmental matrices. We collected paired indoor and outdoor dust (n = 97), as well as human urine (n = 153) samples, from residential houses in Quzhou, China, and measured these samples for 8 conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites. Three BPA metabolites were found in collected indoor and outdoor dust, with BPA sulfate (mean 0.75 and 1.3 ng/g, respectively) and BPA glucuronide (0.13 and 0.26 ng/g) being more abundant. BPA conjugates accounted for a mean of 42 and 56% of total BPA (sum of conjugated BPA and BPA metabolites) in indoor and outdoor dust, respectively. BPS sulfate (mean 0.29 and 0.82 ng/g, respectively) had consistently higher concentrations than BPS glucuronide (0.13 and 0.27 ng/g) in indoor and outdoor samples. BPS conjugates contributed a mean 32% and 45% of total BPS (sum of BPS and BPS metabolites) in indoor and outdoor dust, respectively. Moreover, conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites in indoor or outdoor dust were not significantly correlated with those in urine from residents. Overall, this study first demonstrates the wide presence of conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites, besides BPA and BPS, in indoor and outdoor dust. These data are important for elucidating the sources of conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites in the human body.

Malaria Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Children under Five Years Attending Kitwe Health Center IV in Ntungamo District

Malaria is an acute febrile illness with the following symptoms: fever, headache, and chills. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium species, which is spread by female anopheles mosquito bites. This study aimed to assess the malaria prevalence and associated risk factors among children under five years attending Kitwe Health Center IV in Ntungamo District. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design, 50 caregivers of children attending the children’s ward of Kitwe Health Center IV were selected using simple random sampling techniques, and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, and presented as percentage and frequency in tables, figure, and charts. Of 50 participants, 14(28.0%) tested positive for malaria. However, the majority of the children 25(50.0%) were within the age bracket of 6-12 months 29(58.0%) were female 32(64.0%) came from rural settings 28(56.0%) had more than 4 children staying together in the same household, 33(66.0%) said they hadn’t sprayed their houses with insecticide, 30(60.0%) knew that malaria can be transmitted through a mosquito bite, 36(72.0%) said they are sleeping under a treated mosquito, 30(60.0%) of the participants said they have stagnant water near their residential houses. Only 23(46.0%) of the participants said they have bushes around their homes. Malaria prevalence among children under-five years remains high at 28.0% which is slightly lower than the national standard findings of 30.2%. Factors such as age, number of children in the same households, education status of the caregivers, and their average monthly income greatly predisposed these children to malaria however other risk factors such as not spraying the household with insecticides and having stagnant water around the home were majorly reported by the caregivers. Keywords: Malaria Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, Children Under-Five years

Kepemilikan Rumah Hunian Oleh Orang Asing Diatas Hak Milik

The need for residential housing for foreigners who reside is a basic right that should be considered. Foreigners who have competencies in the field of tourism, managers, and other expertise for the Indonesian state are very realistic because the knowledge of foreigners' work skills for progress is mostly owned by foreigners. Indonesia as a country that will lead to progress is in dire need of knowledge and skills in various fields of technology, management and increasing resources both human and natural resources. The research method is carried out with the type of normative legal research method, with the source of primary legal material Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 103 of 2015 concerning Ownership of Residential Houses or Occupancy by Foreigners Residing in Indonesia, and other laws and regulations related to the issues discussed. While secondary legal materials are library books, journal articles on line journal system, scientific papers, and reviews in the mass media and others. The results of the study indicate that there is conformity between the Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 103 and the Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation in Article 4 letter a and number 1 of Number 10 of 1996 concerning Cultivation Rights, Building Rights and Land Rights Article 39 letter e and land objects Article 40 letter c, as well as the Republic of Indonesia Government Regulation Number 18 of 2021 concerning Land Management Rights, Land Rights, Flat Housing Units and Land Registration Article 49 paragraph (1).

Linking Occupant Behavior and Window Design through Post-Occupancy Evaluation: Enhancing Natural Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

This study investigates how window design features, such as size, placement, and orientation, might impact occupants’ behavior related to natural ventilation in residential houses and how residents manage natural ventilation to affect indoor air quality (IAQ), comfort, and energy efficiency. By analyzing responses from a questionnaire distributed among 200 occupants, this article reveals that stuffy air, perceived outdoor pollutants, odors, and relative humidity, along with factors like inadequate ventilation, temperature fluctuations, and energy consumption concerns, emerge as primary issues affecting occupants’ comfort and well-being. This study proposes design recommendations for enhancing IAQ, including optimal window placement for cross-ventilation, window-to-wall ratio (WWR) considerations, and the integration of smart window technologies. This research recognizes that window design is not just a technical matter but involves understanding social and behavioral factors as well. By analyzing occupant responses, it aims to provide insights into the socio-technical parameters that should be considered in window design. The findings offer valuable strategies for architects, designers, and homeowners to optimize natural ventilation and underscore the importance of an occupant-centered approach in sustainable building design.

Winter indoor thermal environment and livability analysis of traditional residential houses in northeast Sichuan, China

With the rapid development of the national economy, increasing attention has been given to the living environment in rural areas, especially indoor thermal and wind environments. This study conducted on-site measurements and questionnaire surveys during winter in the indoor environment of five villages in northeastern Sichuan. Eighty-nine traditional residences were selected to investigate their fundamental characteristics, indoor thermal environment, humidity conditions, and comfort levels. Questionnaires and comparative experiments were also conducted with natives and locals. This combination of objective data and subjective feedback provides a comprehensive perspective for assessing the indoor thermal environment. The results showed that when expressed as neutral temperature and humidity, the temperature difference was 2.36 °C, with little humidity difference. Residents exhibited higher tolerance towards the local thermal and humidity environment than nonlocal volunteers, who showed greater sensitivity to it. In addition, residents had a Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) value of −0.69 and a heat acceptance value of −1.78, while non-local volunteers had a PMV value of −0.76 and a heat acceptance value of −1.32. A detailed evaluation and analysis of the relationship between the indoor thermal environment and human comfort of local residential houses was carried out, providing technical guidance for energy conservation and thermal insulation of local buildings.

Leveraging digital footprints data for accurate estimation of the residential housing stock in the United Kingdom, 1997–2022

ABSTRACT This paper explores the use of digital footprints data to improve on the limited information available on the size and distribution of the residential housing stock in the United Kingdom over the past two decades. We use a subset of a large dataset consisting of the names and addresses of more than one billion individuals dating back to 1997 (LCRs: Linked Consumer Registers) to calibrate property lifecycle information within an authoritative geolocated address and property dataset. We validate the results of our novel calibration method against official estimates by the UK government covering the same period. We further show that our calibration method, based on individual level data, captures a much larger share of the residential housing stock since 1997 than would have been possible with other available data sources. We argue that these housing stock estimates are fundamental to the development of a comprehensive digital footprints data infrastructure that has the potential to significantly enhance population, migration, and other social statistics in the UK. More generally, this study highlights the benefits of using digital footprints data in refining, calibrating, and extending existing datasets.

Investigating the Relationship between the Presence of Domestic Animals and the Frequency of Mosquito Bites in Residential Houses: A Case Study

Investigating the Relationship between the Presence of Domestic Animals and the Frequency of Mosquito Bites in Residential Houses: A Case Study

Environmental Analysis of Basic Sanitation Quality of Residential Houses in Cokro Spring Stream Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract Fulfillment of basic sanitation includes clean water, availability of latrines, wastewater disposal facilities, and waste management facilities. Cokro Klaten Spring along its flow has many activities including washing clothes and agricultural activities by the surrounding community. The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of basic sanitation owned by the community using Cokro spring water. This research method is descriptive to find out in detail the conditions that exist at the research location by taking data through questionnaires on respondents as many as 298 households who at the time of the study were carrying out activities using the flow of Cokro Klaten Spring. The results of research on basic sanitation of residential houses along the flow of Cokro Klaten springs are known that all houses (100%) have access to clean water both from wells and PAM which can be used to meet daily clean water needs. However, for the availability of latrines, there are still 9 (3%) houses that do not have latrines and still as many as 20% of houses that have latrines do not meet the requirements for healthy latrines in accordance with the provisions of the Minister of Health No. 39 of 2016. In terms of the availability of waste disposal facilities, as many as 56 (18.8%) do not have waste disposal facilities because they directly throw garbage into the river and from 298 houses there are still 23 houses (7.7%) that do not have wastewater disposal channels, they directly drain domestic wastewater to the back of their yards. The conclusion of this study is that the sanitation of residential houses in the Cokro Klaten spring stream has fulfilled the fulfillment of clean water, but the availability of latrines, waste management facilities and wastewater disposal has not met the basic sanitation requirements. Improvement of basic sanitation is needed to improve the quality of sanitation, especially in the provision of waste disposal facilities so that the community meets the quality of basic sanitation in accordance with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 829 / Menkes / SK / VII / 1999.

Planning, Designing and Detailed Estimate of G + 1 Frame Structure

Abstract: The layout planning is a part of urban development it includes planning of residential houses, commercial complexes, service roads, primary health centres, school & other amenities sewerage system for whole layout (includes treatment, sewer line, storm water drains), water distribution system. This project includes design & estimation of residential building in plot of layout planned. Designing involves identifying the loads which act upon a structure and the forces and stresses which arise within that structure due to those loads, perform analysis to get moments and shear forces on different elements of the structure and then design the structure for ultimate loads and moments. The various loads can like self-weight of the structures, other dead loads, live loads, moving (wheel) loads, wind load, earthquake load, load from temperature change is determined for the structure. Estimation includes finding the quantities of materials required for the construction of the structure and requirements of labour etc., finally determining the overall cost of the structure before execution of work

Type of Residential House from Khelvachauri

Type of Residential House from Khelvachauri

Energy flexibility and resilience analysis of demand-side energy efficiency measures within existing residential houses during cold wave event

Energy flexibility and resilience analysis of demand-side energy efficiency measures within existing residential houses during cold wave event

Space performance assessment of traditional houses in Akre

ABSTRACT The complex natural and geological structure of cities affects buildings’ spatial structure in terms of the forms of spatial configuration adopted in the design. Spatial structure affects buildings’ space performance in several aspects, such as privacy and accessibility, which are the most significant indicators of residential houses’ functional performance. Akre, a treasured, historical city in Iraqi Kurdistan, is characterised by a complex and distinct geological nature, and its residential part contains numerous traditional houses that deserve analysis. This study employed both a qualitative approach – via case study plan preparations and photographic documentation – and a quantitative approach, utilising space syntax tools. The results were analysed with the statistical program SPSS and show three types of spatial configuration in the residential part (linear, central and cluster); each type has a different and effective impact on the achievement of space performance in terms of privacy and accessibility. The study concludes that the linear type represents the most private typology, followed by the cluster and then the central type. The centralised typology is the most connected and accessible to different spaces within the residential unit, followed by the cluster type and the linear type, with a significant difference.

Spillover effects of business improvement districts on residential housing values: a focus on the northern region in Los Angeles county, California

ABSTRACT In response to the decline in commercial areas, there has been a growing interest in the implementation of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in large developed cities in North America. However, there is limited understanding of whether BIDs have economic effects on surrounding neighbourhoods. This study aims to answer the following research question: do BIDs positively affect nearby residential properties? To analyze the influence of BIDs on the housing market, we examined single- and multi-family home sale transactions between 1995 and 2007 in the City of Los Angeles, California. We employed the Adjusted Interrupted Time Series Difference in Differences (AITS DID) model to analyze changes in both the price levels and trends of housing values, and to establish the causal impact associated with the implementation of BIDs. Our findings show that the implementation of BIDs had a significant impact on the value of properties located within a 1/2 mile of the BIDs in single- and multi-family homes, as well as in low-income neighbourhoods. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights for planners, residents, and local governments to better comprehend the heterogeneous nature of spillover effects associated with BID programs.

Safety Perceptions and Micro-Segregation: Exploring Gated- and Non-Gated-Community Dynamics in Quetta, Pakistan

Crime impacts residential neighborhoods not only through the loss of life and property but also by instilling a widespread fear among residents. To combat this fear, physical security measures like safety locks, gates, and high perimeter walls have proven effective in both developed and developing nations. This trend has led to the increased popularity of gated communities in Pakistan as a preferred housing choice. In addition to encouraging micro-segregation, these developments also attract a large number of residents. In order to better understand the differences in residents’ fear of crime in relation to their health and socio-economic status, this paper compares residential housing schemes in Quetta, Pakistan (gated and non-gated). Surveys and on-site observations in four different residential areas of the city underpin the methodology. The results suggest that past experiences of crime victimization strongly affect feelings of safety in both gated and non-gated communities. The study highlights the complex relationship between the perception of safety, health and well-being, socio-economic status, and the type of community, highlighting how these factors collectively influence respondents’ experiences and create micro-segregation.

Analysis of the indoor thermal environment of traditional residents in the South Sichuan China region in summer and plum rainy seasons—taking Baiyang village in Yibin city as an example

ABSTRACT In hot summer and cold winter areas, the humid and sultry summer and rainy season problems have long affected the health of residents. Through a questionnaire survey and site measurements, the indoor thermal environment of typical southern Sichuan village houses was investigated. The average indoor humidity of the old traditional dwelling (85–95%) in the rainy season was much greater than that of the new rural house (70–80%), both of which are outside the standard thermal comfort range of the human body. In summer, the situation is slightly better but still uncomfortable. The APMV evaluation results reveal that in the rainy season, the new residential house is more comfortable than the traditional residential house, while in summer, the opposite situation occurs. The measurements show that the thermal inertia index of the old stone masonry house is large, which indicates that the house has a strong ability to resist temperature fluctuations. Therefore, we discussed different performance improvement strategies for these two types of rural residences. This study is conducive to improving the thermal environment of local residential buildings and provides a reference for the future design of rural ecological residential buildings.

The middleman dilemma: exploring the relationship between formal ethics and ethics in practice among real estate agents in Sweden

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between formal ethics and ethics in practice in the empirical context of real estate agents (REAs) working in the residential housing market, including owner-occupied houses and owner-occupied apartments, in Sweden. The paper investigates problems with the Swedish middleman model of real estate agency with regard to the acceptance among REAs of borderline professional behavior.Design/methodology/approachWe report on a survey distributed to all Swedish licensed residential REAs to investigate their attitudes towards eight scenarios displaying borderline ethical behavior. Firstly, the means of each scenario were calculated, investigating signs of distance between formal ethics and ethics in practice. Secondly, logistic regressions were run for each scenario separately, thereby investigating factors affecting misconduct among REAs.FindingsThe empirical results show a clear difference between formal ethics and ethics in practice and also illustrate that some scenarios of borderline ethical behavior are creating greater problems for the REAs.Practical implicationsIn Sweden, the seller is the principal, assigning the REA to sell a house or apartment, but the regulation is clear on the role of the licensed REA as responsible for promoting an informed and fair sales process where the buyer is safe to act without their own representative. Our study contributes with information to policymakers on possible areas for the development of the middleman model.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to empirically investigate the middleman model of a Swedish real estate agency in relation to the business ethics of the agents. The use of scenarios in close relation to the everyday working context of REAs as tests of ethics of practice is also of original methodological value to investigate possible diversions of professionals from national regulations.

Exploring the impacts of individual residential mobility, housing, and social disorganization on recidivism among parolees

The impact of housing and individual residential mobility on recidivism is nuanced. Individuals may move from prosocial environments to criminogenic environments, or from neighborhoods that are more, or less, socioeconomically disadvantaged. We explore these phenomena using data on individuals on parole in the District of Columbia with community-level Census data. We hypothesize that residential mobility will affect recidivism through changes in both housing types and neighborhood characteristics. Findings suggest that people immediately placed into treatment-oriented or transitional housing had lower rates of rearrest than those in other housing situations. Results of the community-level measures of social disorganization were mixed.

Urban green open space in developing countries: Indonesia regulations, problems and alternative solutions

PurposeThis paper aims to work toward a new approach in providing green open spaces in the middle of urban land in Indonesia that has been densely built up and on it has attached land rights. An approach is needed through a specific spatial policy that contains zoning regulations for the provision of public green open spaces on top of residential houses built on the green zoning plans.Design/methodology/approachThis approach considers an interconnected ecological holistic approach, as previously existing regulations have not normatively identified the green open space as an ecological landscape consisting of blue open spaces and several objects that function as green open spaces.FindingsIndonesia in terms of green open space for local climate instrument is still identified as one of the three lowest countries in Southeast Asia in the number of green open space areas. We found that the regulating process of development rights and property rights, in the construction of Indonesian law, still requires many alternative efforts to this day in providing urban green open spaces. The delivery of desired outcomes depends on the alternative policy as a form of legal politics in compensating planning and community interests through developing green open spaces in an ecoregion approach.Originality/valueThis writing was shaped by the understandings of the author with regards to the development of urban green open space regulating issues in Indonesia as one of the emerging country group in Asia and Jakarta as the second-most populous urban area in the world. This paper aims to work toward providing green urban open spaces in Indonesia that has been densely built up and on it has attached land rights, through a specific spatial policy that contains zoning regulations for the provision of public green open spaces on top of residential houses built on the green zoning plans.