Urban Housing Development Research Articles

Selling Spectacular Spaces: Hybridized Sport and Space in the Imagination of Enclaved Residential Living in India

This article explores the (dis)connections between urban housing development, (post)colonial legacies and expressions of space, and how ideas of sport and leisure are mobilized in the imagination of gated residential living in Gurgaon, India. Focused on the building of large-scale enclaved development built around golf and polo brands and identities, I challenge common analyses of gated residential complexes as examples of the imposition of neoliberal urban development agendas, or as a manifestation of new forms of architectural colonialism. Utilizing Homi Bhabha’s theorization of hybridity, I show how constructing a hierarchical, sport-based, all-encompassing mini-city is reflective of a localized response to middle-class perceptions of the failure of the state to control and develop the city, that also architecturally references urban mega projects unfolding across Asia. In addition, reflecting on the selective referencing of polo and golf brands/identities in both their past (colonial) and contemporary expressions, I argue sport is mobilized to create new forms of urban living attached with new meanings for consumers. Considered together, I assert the lens of hybridity destabilizes understandings of both sport and gated communities as (neo)colonial and neoliberal by-products by illustrating how these institutions are taken up and remade through colonial and postcolonial transmissions.

Sustainable Urban Housing Development in Pakistan Through Planning Mechanism: Challenges and Opportunities

Sustainable Urban Housing Development in Pakistan Through Planning Mechanism: Challenges and Opportunities

Factors Affecting Urban Housing Development in Lusaka, Zambia

This study investigates the factors affecting urban housing development in Lusaka, Zambia, a city facing significant challenges due to rapid urbanization and a high prevalence of inadequate housing. Utilizing the Delphi method, data was collected through two iterative rounds from a panel of 10 experts to identify and evaluate 15 factors contributing to poor housing outcomes. The findings reveal that political influence, poor linkage between infrastructure investment and service delivery, lack of access to affordable housing finance, weak urban governance, and high mortgage interest rates are the key factors impeding urban housing development in Lusaka. The study recommends developing an integrated housing planning framework, tailored housing finance products for low-income earners, and promoting governance principles to enhance transparency and accountability in housing development. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting socio-economic areas requiring intervention to achieve sustainable urban housing development.

Urban Housing Typologies Through Modern History

Abstract Urban housing typologies refer to different ways of designing and constructing various types of housing that exist in urban areas. They can be classified by function, form, shape, construction type, and materials. Several residential building models, typologies, and different solutions have emerged with the aim of solving the problems arising from overpopulation. Some of these have succeeded, while others have failed miserably. As the twenty-first century progresses, the world is facing major housing and environmental challenges; the increase of the population and the lack of resources and housing areas constitute a direct threat to human wellbeing, and to the “health” of the planet. This has already started to have a major effect on architecture in general, and on housing design in particular, with new sustainable models and typologies. This paper focuses on the historical development of urban housing, and investigates its shaping factors, and the most important theories and movements which had an impact on urban housing. Furthermore, the paper asks questions about what is driving change in contemporary urban housing design, and what the new directions in the field are, searching for solutions on demand. It also investigates urban housing typologies and classifications and their relations to the surrounding built environment.

Socialist Material Negotiations: North Korea’s Utilization of Cold War Architectural Aid (1950s-1960s)

This paper unveils the impact of architectural aid and knowledge exchange on the development of urban housing in North Korea during the 1950s and 1960s. By capturing the diplomatic maneuvers of the DPRK and detailing the aid it received, this paper situates the urban development of North Korea within the broader fabric of global urban experiments. North Korea received foreign architectural assistance more swiftly than Vietnam, enabling the early adoption of advanced architectural technology and theory in urban construction compared to South Korea. However, the intricate relationships and evolving aid dynamics with fraternal socialist countries within the Cold War paradigm later emerged as one of the motivating factors for North Korea to prioritize independent architectural development. Meanwhile, amidst the emphasis on Juche construction and rapid industrialization, the field of architecture, both in academia and on construction sites, faced the challenge of minimizing materials and resources to enhance productivity. Various agents within North Korea’s architectural workforce presented diverse viewpoints and engaged in complex negotiations with the party regarding resource conservation. Drawing from a vast array of primary sources from North Korea and socialist countries, this research elucidates the heterogeneous comprehension of aid acquisition and the indigenous adaptation of the practice and theory of architecture in postwar North Korea.

The Impact of the Two Pandemics on Sustainable Urban Housing Development

People had to stay in their homes for long time during the pandemic like SARS or COVID-19. Under this experience, people put forward many opinions and suggestions on the current situation of urban residential architecture design and community planning. The existing deficiencies can be learned form people’s perceptions and the findings is helpful to the sustainable development of cities. Based on the literature survey, the main issues of public dissatisfaction after SARS are summarized and analyzed. An online survey-based households was conducted to explore the updated housing, environmental, and psychological focal points caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. The main concerns of urban residents on house and community design and planning after the two pandemics are described and reviewed. It is found that there are additional focus on residential buildings and the community environment after the two pandemics. People are still very concerned about elements such as sunlight, natural ventilation, and sewage treatment to prevent the virus transmission. Some deficiency in housing and communities still leave urban residents dissatisfied, and existing urban housing and community designs may still not be ready for the next pandemic. The pandemic has not only renewed awareness of some important basic elements of urban living that cannot be ignored, but has also brought about changes in people’s lives.

Modelling Stakeholders’ Capacity for Urban Housing Development: A Developing Country’s Perspective

Abstract The main aim of the study was to model stakeholders’ capacity for urban housing development from a developing country’s perspective, using Zambia as a case study. The study used a quantitative methodology and recruited 214 respondents from various organizations concerned with the planning and development of human settlements in Lusaka, Zambia. The structured questionnaire used for data collection contained nine indicator variables informed by literature. The collected data was analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and goodness-of-fit was utilized to assess the acceptability of the model using a two-index technique. The findings revealed that stakeholders’ capacity is explained by four variables, namely: ensuring adequate staffing levels in institutional stakeholders; community empowerment in planning practices; development of essential construction skills; as well as provision of technical support to communities on housing. The paper recommends, among other things, the need to fully engage and build the capacities of communities so that they can effectively participate in housing development. The findings have practical implications for improving housing in the global south. It advances the promotion of capacity building as a prerequisite for driving housing development in line with the new urban agenda.

Floating hutongs life to diminishing Confucian courtyard narratives in Jinan, China

ABSTRACT Confucianism has shaped traditional Chinese urban patterns and sustainable housing development, resulting in a fusion of architectural styles across China and neighbouring regions. As previous research has focused on the physical and environmental aspects of sustainable urban environments and housing, the evolution of spatial narratives has been overlooked. This study explores the significance and influence of Confucian narratives in urban streets and juxtaposed courtyard houses, specifically in the Mingfucheng area of Jinan, Shandong Province. By employing a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with residents, the study explores architecture and hutong spaces. The findings highlight the positive impact of Confucian concepts on residents’ lives, spatial behaviour, and spirituality. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities in the process of urbanisation and rural revitalisation. This research provides a narratological perspective on the sustainability of culturally influenced traditional architecture, contributes to the knowledge on courtyards and hutongs, and suggests sustainable strategies for architectural culture and heritage conservation.

Effect of Rapid Urban Housing Expansion on On-Farm Activities of Rural Household Livelihoods in Simat/Kapseret Ward, Kenya

The study focused on examining how an increase in urban housing expansion affects livelihoods of rural households. The study objective was to determine the effect of urban housing expansion on on-farm activities of households in Kapseret/Simat ward, Kenya. A sample of 164 households was selected from a target population of 13610 households. A systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain the population of the study. A household survey questionnaire and an interview guide were used as tools for data collection taking a mixed methods research design. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive methods in form of frequencies, means and deviation. Inferential statistics specifically Chi square was used to test the hypotheses in terms of the strength and direction of the independent and dependent variables. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and triangulated into the quantitative data of the study. Quantitative study findings indicated that there was a statistical significant relationship between urban housing expansion and on-farm activities of rural households (p=0.000). The qualitative study findings indicated that there was a shift from on-farm to off-farm livelihood activities of rural households. The study concluded that as land value and land sales increased, there was a higher likelihood for demand for land to facilitate the urban housing developments and ultimately housing expansion within the area of study. The study concluded that there was a significant statistical effect of urban housing expansion on rural household livelihoods.

Impact of Insecure Land Tenure on Sustainable Housing Development: A Case Study of Urban Housing Lands in the Republic of Benin, West Africa

This study focuses on land tenure in an urban environment. Specifically, it intends to elucidate the influence of land tenure security on access to housing in urban communities. The conurbation of Grand Nokoué, which is an agglomeration of five cities in the Republic of Benin, West Africa, captures attention due to its particular features as a developing city. Based on the literature, this study outlined three major factors of insecure land tenure, namely, lack of recognition by authorities, lack of protection from eviction or expulsion, and informal community-based rights. In addition, we examined four characteristics of relevant housing issues, namely, the development of shantytowns, the multiplicity of precarious housing, the loss of housing for the development of public projects, and exposure to house demolition under judicial decision, to formulate our hypotheses. The results of field observation and semi-structured interviews supported the hypotheses and demonstrated that legal access to land, the protection of the population from anarchic eviction, and informal community-based rights may positively influence the development of sustainable urban housing.

Multispecies marginality: Mangroves and migrant Papuans in the margins of urban colonisation

AbstractWest Papuans' dependency on mangroves is a consequence of Sorong's status as a frontier town. Originally developed to accommodate the oil industry, Sorong is an attraction for Indonesian settlers who have dominated and continue to dominate the town's geographical and economic spaces. By combining multispecies ethnographic studies with issues of power relations in urban areas related to settler colonialism and racial discrimination, this paper aims to reveal marginalised human species that are interconnected with their ecosystems. In addition to exploring the interdependence between humans and other species, and their common fate, a multispecies ethnographic approach also delves into the impact of urban development on marginalised human communities and their relationship with affected species. This enables a comprehensive understanding of how the well‐being of these communities is inextricably linked to the health and survival of the entire ecosystem. Focusing on the Kokoda migrant community in Sorong, Indonesia, this article is based on research that has been conducted intermittently since 2019. A community that is accustomed to living within a mangrove ecosystem, Kokoda have the endurance to live in a degraded environment. By co‐existing with the mangrove forest, they have created a commons in the swamp as their livelihood space. Paradoxically, the Kokoda also pragmatically participate in mangrove‐planting programs instigated by both the government and private parties. However, despite the fact that urban housing development is the cause of massive mangrove deforestation, the Kokoda community is most responsible for mangrove deforestation.

The Influence of the Built Environment on the Quality of Life of Urban Older Adults Aging in Place: A Scoping Review

The study explored the built environment’s relationship with the quality of life of older people aging in place in urban multifamily housing developments. A search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science for relevant research, which resulted in a final selection of 41 publications. The findings show no consensus exists in the variables and instruments used to measure the built environment and the quality of life of older people aging in place. Future research should focus on developing a unified instrument to plan the interventions most suited to the needs of this collective.

Perancangan Gedung Mixed Use dengan Pola Co-Living Space dengan Pendekatan Arsitektur Biophilic

In a big city like Jakarta, integration between residence and workplace is an important need for workers. The concept of 'Co-Living Space', which brings together living quarters with ease of accessibility, is emerging as an innovative solution in urban housing development. This concept not only provides accommodation but also creates a natural atmosphere that improves the quality of life in the city. This article discusses the design of an apartment based on the concept of 'Co-Living Space' in the Golden Triangle area of Setiabudi, focusing on the Biophilic architectural approach. Two main questions are presented: (1) How do I integrate the two functions? and (2) How is it implemented in the context of Biophilic architecture? The results of the discussion show that the design of 'sharing space' is effective for integrating living and working functions. In addition, the harmonious design with the surrounding environment and the adoption of Nusantara architecture confirm the application of the Biophilic concept in this research project.

Investigating the Mechanism of the Effect of Nature-based Architectural Components on Residential Satisfaction

The development of multi-unit urban housing, especially in the metropolises of Iran, does not take into account the effects of cultural factors on the perceived quality of housing architecture. Since the community is diverse in metropolises, especially on a sub-culture scale, it is impossible to provide housing development strategies and practical actions concerning the factors related to this scale of culture. The compatibility of lifestyle at the national or structural level with housing can be considered a general strategy to solve this problem. Based on the position of nature in the foundations of the Islamic lifestyle, it is possible to accommodate humans’ significant needs through inspiration from nature. This paper intends to investigate the mechanism of the effect of nature-based architectural components (NBAC) on residential satisfaction (RS) from the Islamic lifestyle perspective to apply the findings in architectural planning and programming processes. The results demonstrate that as adherence to the Islamic lifestyle increases, residential preferences related to the formal and semantic dimensions of NBAC also increase. Qualitative deficiencies in these components cause a decrease in perceived quality and, consequently, RS. Therefore, high residential preferences regarding semantic and formal components lead to the intensification of deficiencies in qualitative perception. In such conditions, a large part of the RS is due to residents’ adaptive behaviors. Therefore, measuring RS based on accommodating residential needs cannot be considered an objective criterion to determine housing architecture quality to test the fit of housing development patterns with residential needs. This proves the necessity for the measurement of the perceived quality of housing architecture based on the main influential factors involved, which are NBAC.

Photo-Enhanced Health Promotion Messages to Target Reduction in Dietary Sugar among Residents of Public Housing.

Interventions intended to reduce the consumption of dietary sugars among those population groups demonstrating disproportionately greater and more frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods (SSBF) would benefit from intervention strategies that are tailored to population-specific barriers and facilitators. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the acceptability of photo-enhanced and theory-based health promotion messages that target the reduction in SSBF among adult residents of public housing developments, a population known for their high rates of chronic disease. Using the message development tool as a framework, we developed a series of 15 SSBF reduction messages, using an iterative process with community member input. We then evaluated the acceptability of the messages and compared three delivery mechanisms: print, text, and social media. We recruited participants who were residents of urban public housing developments, and who spoke either English or Spanish. A majority of participants identified as being of Hispanic ethnicity (73%). The message acceptability scoring did not appear to differ according to the assigned delivery mechanism, despite some imbalances in participants' characteristics across delivery mechanisms. The messages that targeted motivation were least likely to be accepted. In conclusion, our findings suggest that engaging members of the community at all phases of the development process was a feasible method to develop SSBF reduction messages with a high perceived acceptability.

Applicability of Public-Private Partnerships in the Development of Affordable Urban Housing in Kenya

The Constitution of Kenya 2010, Kenya Vision 2030, and many international commitments that Kenya is party to obligate the government to deliver decent, affordable, accessible, and quality housing for all Kenyans. Since independence, many strategies to fast-track housing development have been explored with mixed results. The annual housing demand stands at 250,000 units, with only 50,000 being developed through public and private means, hence a deficit of 200,000 units. Application of public-private partnerships (PPPs) models has been projected as the most appropriate strategy through which affordable housing can be availed in the country. PPPs address the problems related to inadequate capital, expertise, managerial, and technological applications that hinder the effective development of affordable urban housing. The study’s main focus was to evaluate the applicability of PPPs in the development of affordable urban housing. The study used the Delphi methodology of investigation, which uses iteration and building consensus to arrive at group decisions. Three Delphi rounds that involved 88 persons in three panels comprised of housing practitioners, housing financiers, and developers. It was found out during the first round that 95.5% of the panelists observed that PPPs can be utilized in the development of affordable urban housing, and 4.5% stated that they believed that PPPs may be inappropriate for the sector. It was also found out that configuring and positioning public and private players’ concerns regarding PPP models increases its applicability in the development of affordable urban housing. The main conclusion from the study is that PPP models are appropriate for the development of affordable urban housing.

Applicability of public-private partnershipsin the development of affordable urban housing in Kenya

The Constitution of Kenya 2010, Kenya Vision 2030, and many international commitments that Kenya is party to obligate the government to deliver decent, affordable, accessible, and quality housing for all Kenyans. Since independence, many strategies to fast-track housing development have been explored with mixed results. The annual housing demand stands at 250,000 units, with only 50,000 being developed through public and private means, hence a deficit of 200,000 units. Application of public-private partnerships (PPPs) models has been projected as the most appropriate strategy through which affordable housing can be availed in the country. PPPs address the problems related to inadequate capital, expertise, managerial, and technological applications that hinder the effective development of affordable urban housing. The study’s main focus was to evaluate the applicability of PPPs in the development of affordable urban housing. The study used the Delphi methodology of investigation, which uses iteration and building consensus to arrive at group decisions. Three Delphi rounds that involved 88 persons in three panels comprised of housing practitioners, housing financiers, and developers. It was found out during the first round that 95.5% of the panelists observed that PPPs can be utilized in the development of affordable urban housing, and 4.5% stated that they believed that PPPs may be inappropriate for the sector. It was also found out that configuring and positioning public and private players’ concerns regarding PPP models increases its applicability in the development of affordable urban housing. The main conclusion from the study is that PPP models are appropriate for the development of affordable urban housing.

Health Performance Empirical Evaluation on Urban Housing Floods in Odosida, Ondo city, Nigeria

Natural occurrence of streams, rivers and flowing water attract emergence of urban housing along river bank is to tap water for domestic, irrigation, industrial use; deposition of minerals and nutrients for agricultural purpose. Consequences caused by recent events of floods in the urban centers are not limited to socio-economic, environmental loss but also increase in health challenges with loss of life. Flood itself cannot be held responsible for the catastrophe but the activities of people, society and urban housing encroaching on natural space of lowland, wetland, prone areas, also; landscape reshape to reclaim beaches by cutting off hills fosters thereafter, destruction of life and property. The study therefore identified the consequences of urban housing flood in three areas. Quantitative method including frequency tables, histograms, pairwise ranking, chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were also used to interpret the data collected. The result shows that disease occurrence is significant to urban housing flood; correlation between flood and marginalization to adequate housing quality; and floods is significant to urban housing development. It is clear that vulnerable and flooded prone milieu is mostly occupied by urban poor because of inability to avoid good housing quality and there is high of cases of cholera, malarial, water-borne, measles among residents in the study area. Society is becoming more aware that floods can be controlled to a limited extent; hence, safety against floods must be sought for, to prevent loss of life, properties and socio-economic investment. This paper recommends absolute delineation from vulnerable area, government and property developers should ensure good housing quality, total relocation of urban housing from marginal land and compensation to victims. Studies on comparative evaluation of urban housing vulnerability to flood on highland and lowland; environmental disruption of urban housing in lowland require additional investigation.

Spatial Characteristics of the Abandonment Degree of Residential Quarters Based on Data of the Housing Sales Ratio—A Case Study of Kunming, China

The abandonment degree of an urban residential building can reflect the popularity of residential areas. This study uses this idea as a basis for proposing the concept of using residential quarters’ abandonment rate to measure the abandonment degree of an area. The spatial pattern of the abandonment rate and its clustering characteristics were obtained by taking 2517 residential quarters in Kunming’s Main Urban District as research object, and using their listing for sale ratio data. Thereafter, curve estimation was used to explore the influencing factors of abandonment rate. The results are as follows. (1) The abandonment rate of the four circles in Kunming’s Main Urban District increases from inside to outside, showing the pattern of the core area–second ring area–third ring area–new urban district, with evident “core–edge” characteristics. (2) The relationship between distance from the city center, housing ages, and abandonment rate can be well fitted using a quadratic function and shows an inverted “U”-shaped “rising–declining” trend. The relationship between housing prices and abandonment rate is fitted by the inverse function, showing an evident “up” trend. This study is a reference for managers of relevant departments and urban planners in formulating reasonable urban housing development policies.

Applying a Systemic Approach for Sustainable Urban Hillside Landscape Design and Planning: The Case Study City of Chongqing in China

Rapid urbanization has led some Chinese cities to extend to hillside sites with recurrent patterns of flattening sloping terrain to erect high rise buildings. This approach usually results in disturbing local ecosystems which protection is an important requirement towards achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Studies examining the special patterns of urban extensions onto hills and the driving forces of behind the deterioration of environmental quality in cities are scarce. This paper aims to answer two questions; “What are the definitions and goals for sustainable landscape design for hillside urban extensions?” and “What are the real causes for the unsustainability of current urban hillside housing developments?” These questions will be approached, first through a literature review, and second through considering the case study of Chongqing Yue Lai eco-city and examining the limitation and remediation through the whole process of the land construction loop within the systemic approach. This article illustrates how sustainable urban hillside landscape design and planning can be achieved by balancing the priorities of four key stakeholders (government, developers, city dwellers, and local ecosystem). This calls for shifting from the central planning system dominated by local governments by including the equally important priorities of its citizens (human actors) and non-human actors (ecosystem).