Collective action components of low-cost housing: an empirical analysis using Ostrom's SES framework

PurposeTo date, low-cost housing held under the common-property regime is faced with various collective action or management issues in relation to common facilities. Understanding and unpacking key collective action components in a multi-dimensional and systematic fashion that help explain the status quo of the complex low-cost housing management is crucial, particularly in identifying potential factors contributing to the suboptimal self-governing outcome. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the collective action of low-cost housing in Malaysia using Ostrom's institutional analysis development and social-ecological system framework (IAD-SES framework) as a theoretical framework.Design/methodology/approachFirst, a mixed-method research design was adopted where issues relating to the management of common properties of low-cost housing were identified in the Malaysian context. Second, the components of Ostrom's IAD framework relevant to collective action were identified. Third, after interviewing six experts in the housing industry via semi-structured interviews, two more components (historical development/adaptability to new environment and ethnicity) were added to the questionnaire survey. From here, 633 respondents who lived in four low-cost housings in Kuala Lumpur from 1,598 households were surveyed in 2012. We then merged the IAD framework with the SES framework. Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha analysis were conducted to uncover the underlying variables and the social ecological clusters that they belonged.FindingsWith average Cronbach's alpha of 0.83, the seven key SES components identified are able to cumulatively explain 71% variance of local collective action components. Based on the cumulative percentage explained, the top five key SES components are as follows: context (social, economic and political settings); ethnicity; outcome; resource system; and users characteristics.Originality/valueThis study identifies key components related to the collective action issues of low-cost housing management, where two additional components were also suggested to be added to the SES framework. Apart from the theoretical contribution, the study, serving as insights and potential solutions, is also of practical significance to the existing management practices of low-cost housing in Malaysia where policymakers and management corporations may prioritize primary SES components, helping them govern common properties more efficiently.

URBAN LOW-COST HOUSING EFFECT MENTAL HEALTH

As the number of people moving to urban areas increases by the year, it also increases the prevalence of mental health problems worldwide. Low-income groups in urban areas have had to choose to live in low-cost housing due to the higher cost of living. This study aims to understand the effect of living in lowcost housing. The objectives are to study and analyse mental health conditions for the low-income group living in low-cost housing in an urban area. This study was conducted at the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The questionnaire used is an adaptation of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the sample selection used homogenous sampling. The site selection is based on the housing scheme's characteristics: location, density, property age, and surrounding land use. The data collected were analysed using correlation analysis to determine the relationship between urban low-cost housing living and mental health. The results have shown that 57.8 per cent of the respondents have depression, 65.7 per cent have anxiety, and 55.9 per cent have stress with various severity. The findings show that low-cost housing associated with poorer mental health is caused by several factors.

The Light Houses of Kashmir

Home is a basic necessity for everyone and becomes one the critical challenges faced by the developing countries. India is currently facing a shortage of about 17.6 million houses and the situation is no different in Kashmir if not more prominent owing to the geographical and climatic conditions of the valley. Presently in Kashmir, We witness that the Middle income groups, low income groups and economically weaker sections of the society, which are growing in size, are struggling to have their own houses. Concrete and steel housing cost a fortune so low cost and sustainable buildings are much needed in Kashmir. Low Cost Housing’ refers to those housing units which are affordable by that section of society where income is below MHI (Median Housing Income). It includes the use of construction methods that are cost effective, innovative and environment friendly and allow for a speedy construction. The paper deals with the present and the future trends about low cost housing materials and technologies in Kashmir. These technologies & materials, if implemented, can reduce the present housing problems up to some extent. Keywords: AAC, GFRG, filler slabs, SPW, CEB

Conversando con... Balkrishna Doshi

El arquitecto indio Balkrishna Doshi, Premio Pritzker 2018, ha cumplido recientemente noventa y dos años en plena y entusiasta dedicación a su vocación arquitectónica y a su familia. El catedrático de proyectos arquitectónicos de la UPV, José María Lozano Velasco, ha tenido la oportunidad de encontrarse con él en Sangath -su estudio en Ahmedabad- el pasado mes de agosto, para compartir preocupaciones comunes y aprender de este maestro de la arquitectura que no desea ser llamado así.Cuando apenas acaba de clausurarse la segunda oportunidad –esta vez en el Architekmuseum der TUM de la Pinacoteca Moderna de Munich- para conocer de manera cuidadosa su obra, a través de la espléndida exposición denominada Architecture for the people que produjera el VITRA museum de Weil an Rhein, las reflexiones de primera mano y de viva -muy viva- voz de su autor resultan esclarecedoras para su mejor compresión.Es conocida la inestimable colaboración que Doshi prestó al gran maestro Le Corbusier en la concepción y ejecución de Chandigarh. También la imprescindible participación de nuestro arquitecto en el Campus del Indian Institute of Management de Ahmedabad de Louis Khan. E interesante estudiar la influencia de uno y otro en su obra primera. Como observar su evolución hacia la magia de Amdavad ni Gufa o su profunda atención por el Low cost housing, que en el distrito construido de Aranya, Indore, cobra realidad.No han faltado los estudios de colegas y amigos como William Curtis o Kenneth Frampton que, con más autoridad que nosotros, se han pronunciado al respecto.Este artículo es el resultado del conocimiento de todo ello y de las visitas realizadas a gran parte de la obra, más la enriquecedora conversación sostenida con su autor. Y su enfoque es otro. Hemos querido indagar en aquellas razones que hicieron denominar la primera época de Doshi como “Tradition and modernity”, en las más mágicas (o míticas, como él mismo las denomina) y en la principal herramienta para transmitirlas: el dibujo (y el dibujo de color).El artículo incluye transcripciones literales o adaptadas de algunos pasajes del encuentro, contextualizadas oportunamente.

Decoupling the Monitoring of Solar Water Heaters and their Usage Profiles

South Africa is the most technologically advanced nation in Africa. However, the country is plagued with constant load shedding. The country receives about 2500 sunshine hours annually, with daily average irradiation levels of 4.5–6.5 kWh/m2. Despite these potentials, the use of electricity for domestic water heating is still prevalent in the country. The mass rollout of solar water heating (SWH) technologies in the low-cost housing sector across the country were met with massive failures. This study aims to assess the energy yield of a passive flat plate and an evacuated tube solar water heating system by evaluating the performance of these systems to address the energy crisis in South Africa. The flat plate (FP) and evacuated tube (ET) solar water heating systems were monitored for four days, characterised by varying sky conditions through instantaneous data measurement at 5 s. The parameters measured were water temperature, ambient temperature, irradiance at the plane of array, relative humidity, wind speed and direction. The results obtained show that a maximum irradiance of 1050 W/m2 was obtained on a clear day and corresponded to a hot water temperature of about 58 °C and 65 °C for the FP and ET, respectively. However, a cloudy day with a maximum irradiance of 400 W/m2 produced about 22 °C and 29 °C of hot water for the FP and ET, respectively. The results obtained in this study will guide stakeholders in the renewable energy sector towards employing SWH systems to replace or augment the electric geyser. Solar water heaters (SWH) can be used in the low-cost housing sector to provide hot water. Hence, the assessments in this study offer essential information for the deployment of these systems to reduce demand on the ailing South African electricity utility, Eskom, and mitigate climate change.

A Hybrid Low-Cost Construction Techniques and Materials in Construction Project

Low budget housing is a type of idea which deals with efficacious costing and following of techniques which avail in truncating the cost of production via the usage of remote to be had material in the juxtaposition of and technology amended adeptness without losing the puissance, overall performance, and existence of the structure. There is an astronomically significant false impression that low-cost housing is apt for the most effective subnormal works. With the aid of utilizing frugal building material of low pleasant this type of construction will be done. The fact is that low-fee housing is carried out through opportune management of sources. The financial system is moreover achieved by deferring culminated work or enforcing them in stages. It is performed through using the cull of a more efficient cloth or through the an amended layout. The construction of low-fee housing via low-fee construction material increases the access to homes through low-income institution peoples. Advantages of low-price building material are pollution aversion, truncating energy intake and usage of natural materials, and reusability of building substances. The review on sundry low fee constructing design management is provided in this paper.

Mitigating Construction Deficiencies: An Impact Analysis for Low-Cost Housing Developments Utilizing Artificial Neural Network

The aim of this study is to be able to come up with a supplemental project management policy guidelines and computational tool that will address the two major concerns in construction of low-cost housing, construction delays and workmanship defects. Through assessment of previous studies, factors causing delays and defects from the two major stakeholders involved in housing development projects were identified. With the use of the five-point Likert Scale in survey forms distributed to 60 professionals involved in housing development projects, factors were classified and identified according to its degree of impact on the overall construction efficiency. The statistics of these factors were organized and used to develop an Artificial Neural Network Model. The relative importance of the factors was measured using Garson’s Algorithm. The derived equations from the developed ANN Model were used in formulating the computational tool and supplemental policy guidelines that can now be used to evaluate the workmanship defects and delay ratings of different housing developments. The computational tool was tested by 10 experts with their current projects and was able to receive a 4.6 out of 5 rubric evaluation rating, showing the tool’s effectiveness in identifying and assessing the probability and impact of construction deficiencies on their projects.

Analysis of Sorghum Stalks and Fibres for Use in the Production of Low-Cost Housing Materials

Research into low-cost housing solutions, especially for low- and middle-income countries, has grown in recent years. Greater use of natural materials, both mineral and bio-based, offers opportunities for more affordable and sustainable materials and products. In the low- and middle-income countries, residential buildings are too expensive for most people due to the use of the concrete in buildings. Utilisation of agricultural wastes can serve a threefold purpose: (i) minimise the impact of construction products on the environment, (ii) reduce waste, and (iii) decrease the cost. The aim of this study was to investigate fibres and stalks from the sorghum plant as potential additives in low-cost brick production. Analysis of the sorghum fibres and stalks has included microstructural examination using a scanning electron microscope and mercury intrusion porosimetry, together with tensile strength testing of fibres. Fibres and stalks did not undergo chemical pre-treatment. Sorghum stalks and fibres were found to have comparable tensile strength to fibres currently used for brick production, and the methods used to prepare stalks were not found to adversely affect their strengths. Consequently, this research has shown that fibres produced from local agricultural wastes have potential for use in low-cost housing such as one-storey residential load-bearing structures and buildings.

Assessment of the Social and Economic Impact of Innovative Construction in Housing in Slum Upgrading: A Case of Mathare Valley, Nairobi

Background: Adequate descent housing is a universal human rights integral component. Resources’ costs and intensified rural-urban migration increase demand for sustainable housing. Modern knowledge-based-economy uses innovation. Construction industry uses product and process innovation to provide adequate and descent low-cost housing. Kenya adopted innovation practices of slum upgrading that uses cost effective locally available building materials. This study looked at the outcomes; social and economic impacts of innovative construction in housing in the Mathare Valley Slum upgrading project Methods: This post occupancy study used exploratorydescriptive research design. Random sampling was used to sample 384 users of low-cost housing projects in Mathare Valley, Nairobi County. Research instruments included semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides. Pilot study, validity and reliability tests ensured quality of study. Ethical considerations included university approval and consent. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 21 was applied to compute the descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: Slum-upgrading had significant-positive outcome on improved houses and community. Social impacts included communal facilities; assurance of security of tenure; and retained frameworks of establishments. Economic impacts included employment; affordable and durable units (p values <0.05). Upgrading process did not influence rent fees, was corrupt and led to displacement of residents. Conclusion: Slum upgrading process affected positively. Similar projects should consider residents in decision-making.