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In Japan, various government authorities and public housing corporations built a huge number of dwellings for rent to reconstruct war-damaged cities and to accommodate the high concentrations of population in urban areas in the mass-housing era between 1955 and 1973. Approximately 40% of all public residential buildings for rent in Japan were constructed in the latter mass-housing era (1965-1973). These are four- or five-story reinforced concrete buildings whose building frames are sufficiently strong to withstand several decades' more use but whose interior finishings and functional systems are deteriorating. Although these houses were originally designed for nuclear families, they are now considered too small to accommodate more than three residents. There is growing demand for renovation of deteriorating public residential buildings for rent. Dwelling units of such deteriorating buildings are often enlarged by constructing extensions or by removing sections of existing partition walls and installing new partition walls. In recent years, several local authorities have started to add new elevator towers to residential buildings for the increasing number of aged residents. We have studied these regeneration projects in detail by conducting questionnaires at 60 public housing corporations and hearing investigations at 6 corporations. This paper describes the actual status of the regeneration of deteriorating public multi-unit residential buildings for rent in Japan.

Cities are defined by historical, geographical, sociological, cultural, economic and administrative aspects; each concept exposes different characteristics of cities as social structure and architecture from the others. The differentiating characteristics also form the identity of cities/settlements. While the physical fabric of cities makes it necessary to analyse in a morphological way, the ontological structure which is affective on the formation of this morphological structure and searches background of “existence” is seen as an unknown aspect of space. In fact, morphological and ontological space calls into being and affects each other. In this study, urban fabric changing with the existence of new dwelling types is accepted as a factor affecting the urban change. The ontology of the new one is investigated and the negation brought to the context is handled morphologically and sociologically. Konya is selected as site area; it is focused on Meram region as one of the main districts. Differentiating life conditions and the reasons of that is various in Meram regions like any other area; the existence of new dwelling typologies deteriorates the fabric pattern. This negative situation is investigated in this study not only morphologically but also sociologically because of different user profiles. In last 10-15 years, high rise buildings with security, private buildings with security, studio type dwelling applications started to exterminate the original one. Especially studio dwelling applications and designs disowning the social dimension have the potential of exterminating and changing the morphological and ontological sustainability of the neighbourhoods defined as sub-public area.

An International Competition of Architecture, Urban Development and Sustainable Housing, was held in Mexico in 2001. The aim of the contest was to create a vanguard and imaginative urban and architectural design that could accommodate the local regulation, the concept of sustainability and bioclimatic design. The proposed site is located within Guanajuato city’s periphery

From a critic review of the finalist projects we concluded that although they were very innovative in bioclimatic design they maintained the concept of prototype at the unit level and groups of prototypes layout in the plot at the urban level. We decided to take the same theme as an academic exercise for the following reasons:

• The opportunity to design under the same rules but changing the concept of a traditional mass housing complex to a slice of city that transforms itself in time with incremental dwellings.

• The city of Guanajuato is a colonial city very important for its history, cultural activity and architecture. The urban layout adapts to its rugged surface, which is very similar to the one of the given site.

• The contest program had a similar objective to that of the academic program of the last year of architecture in our University.

From the analysis of Guanajuato City thematic and non thematic elements of the urban tissue and with the aid of the Tissue Model method, students made the urban proposals. The unit proposals were designed with Open Building in mind instead of designing the required prototypes.

This article will focus on the tissue model methodology applied, first to formulate the tissue characteristics of downtown Guanajuato, then to develop the urban layout of the new housing complex and finally to develop the agreement documents for the urban design. Some examples of different final urban and support design will be given.

Mass customisation involves the provision of product variants that fulfil clients' specific requirements seeking to increase product values. The configuration process involves a chain of decisions, which needs to be undertaken to create product variants that meet each client specific requirements. In this paper, this chain of decisions is conceptualized in terms of customisation units. Each customisation unit encompasses a customisable attribute (e.g. size, colour) and the range of items offered for this attribute. A design science approach was adopted in this investigation. In this approach, knowledge is produced by creating and testing a solution, which provides practical and theoretical contributions. A method is proposed to analyse and improve the configuration process by conceptualizing this process as a tree diagram. The proposed method is used to analyse the configuration process developed by organisations of the house-building sector based in the U.K. and Brazil: a manufacturer of floor tiles, contractors, and registered providers. These analyses enabled a comparison of the distinct configuration processes adopted. In addition, problems associated to the configuration process (such as burden of choice) and opportunities for improvements were also identified. Finally, alternative chains of decision were also devised based on these analyses to address the problems identified.

The adverse impacts of climate change coupled with rapid informal urbanization in the Southern African region are increasing the vulnerability of already sensitive population groups. Consequently, these urban regions are highly vulnerable to urban heat island effects and heatwaves due to exogenous and endogenous factors. While the dynamic interplay between the built environment, climate and response strategies is known, this paper highlights the lived experience of informal settlement residents. It presents work from a project undertaken in Melusi, an informal settlement in Tshwane, South Africa, as a multi-disciplinary project focusing on improving the local resilience to climate change associated heat stress.

Following a mixed method approach, a semi-structured observational analysis of the spatial layout and material articulation of selected dwellings along with the continuous monitoring and recording of their indoor environments were undertaken.

The paper presents the research results in terms of the dwelling characteristics, as spatial and material-use strategies and documented heat stress exposure in these structures. The findings highlight that informal dwellings perform poorly in all cases due to endogenous factors and that inhabitants experience extreme heat stress conditions for between 6 and 10 h daily during the peak summer period.

Currently, there are little empirical data on the heat stress residents living in informal settlements in Southern Africa are experiencing. This article provides insight into the indoor environments of informal dwellings and hopes to contribute future guidelines or heat health policies.

Since the 1950s, Egypt has been challenged by rapid unplanned and uncontrolled informal developments. These may be regarded as people’s interventions to fulfil their basic needs which are seemingly not successfully materialised in previous as well as current interventions. Building on the anticipated demographic and socio-economic changes in the Egyptian society and the consequent changing needs; the purpose of this paper is to present the preliminary investigation of an ongoing research project that regards the housing unit as the nucleus for autonomous mobility starting from the dwelling internal spaces to the nearest public transport. In this respect, informal interventions to adapt housing typologies to the various needs are explored, defined, and categorised to inform future developments.

This exploratory phase follows an interpretivist view, which regards reality as not being objective and exterior, but rather socially constructed – given meaning by people. Acknowledging this, a qualitative case study approach was adopted to investigate the perception and aspirations of different age groups and educational levels, including different mobility abilities regarding the efficiency of their housing units and the immediate surroundings – context bound to an informal area in Greater Cairo, Egypt. This investigation comprised two stages. The first was an observatory site visit to establish, define, and identify preliminary challenges; these were then verified and complemented through the second stage which involved meeting and validating stage one data with respective inhabitants. An invitation was sent to inhabitants through an active NGO in the area to gain trust and acceptance of the inhabitants. The invitation targeted different age groups, physical abilities, and educational levels.

While developed countries are reviving and promoting the live-work concept, and are continuously thriving to adapt their housing and built environment (in general) to be age friendly; in Egypt, however, Government has largely provided housing projects which adopt a total separation between residential and non-residential activities. Furthermore, the mixed-use typology provided by the Government was arguably with “limited success”. Informal developments on the contrary tend to provide mixed-use housing typologies; in addition to informally adapting their “formal” dwellings to satisfy users’ changing needs. People and particularly the elderly do not consider the quality of their habitable environment as a priority (as long as they have a shelter for their families). However, while not explicitly acknowledging the problematic nature of their dwellings, specific interventions – physical and/or functional, imply their dissatisfaction, including their attempts to improve the spatial and functional qualities of their units. The results from literature review triangulated with findings from the case study; devised a conceptual framework which comprises subcategories for a successful realisation of mixed-use adaptable housing typology in Egypt to inform second phase of the research (not reported).

This preliminary phase investigates the breadth of housing units’ challenges and explores potential for adaptation. Therefore, a qualitative semi-structured approach was adopted to allow participants to express themselves freely. Furthermore, the participants are those who accepted the invitation to participate in the study, and therefore care should be taken when generalising the results beyond this bounded observation lens.

This research highlights the needs and challenges that need to be taken into account to ensure future housing typologies are adaptable and responsive to current as well as future socio-economic and demographic changes.

This work evaluates, defines, and categorise mixed-use housing typology potential and challenges in light of informal developments in Egypt. These challenges inform the second phase of this research to identify possible scenarios for achieving systemic “inclusivity” for future housing developments in Egypt.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodological problems involved in planning and designing housing programmes and to discuss the cognitive structure and context of residential housing through a comprehensive questionnaire that examined various aspects of the housing environment. In the last two decades, Jordan has established several housing programmes consisting of multistory buildings for the limited income group. Such new programmes yield conflicts and face cultural constraints that need to be understood and resolved. Based on 400 mailed survey questionnaires, the major focus of the study has been the determination of the needs and preferences of the clients in housing and suggesting responses that are empathetic and consistent with their lifestyles, values and family patterns. The key to establishing a successful housing sector appears to be the ability of developers to adequately identify these issues. Several factors of cognitive structure were attained: space and the high cost of housing are the key considerations from a client's point of view; the interior design of buildings is below expectations; and outdoor space and materials used for the exterior are also important factors in determining a preference for some housing features. Other factors such as exterior appearance, functionality, kitchen size, type of community and neighbourhood, housing proximity to community facilities, and heating systems must also receive adequate consideration. Another important implication is that individuals within the same income and educational level may not necessarily share the same assumptions with regard to their needs and aspirations. Therefore, a clearly defined strategy will help designers and managers in a young expanding sector to establish various and high quality housing programmes; hence, the better the image, the more able it is to attract customers. The findings identify some of the barriers that could limit the acceptance of new housing features, and offer insights into how such features could be effectively explained and linked to the wants and needs of clients. Therefore, programme managers and developers must understand the sources of competitive advantage in the housing sector; this can make the difference in gaining and retaining customers. The customer's perception is a complex construct, and there are significant interrelations between housing design and human behaviour of which we are almost completely ignorant.

Digital design technologies play a significant role in assisting the designer through conceptual architectural design. Computer supported design systems can generate various images at the early design phase and can contribute to seeking alternative architectural forms. Currently, different design approaches are being employed in the formation of architectural products. Examples of architecture that produce unusual forms are often encountered within unique conceptual approaches. The development of new design examples is supported by the digital production of forms, and three-dimensional models through varying geometric approaches. In this study, a design approach that uses computer aided architectural design to produce architectural forms will be suggested. This approach utilizes principles existing in the unique fractal dimension of elements based on a vocabulary relevant to a specific architectural language. By relying on the fractal dimension and features of an existing architectural pattern, this generative design approach supports creativity in the production of new forms. The proposed approach is evaluated as a creative tool in architectural design. The subject of architecture; buildings, spaces, surroundings, symbols of that particular society are also the elements of a meta-language which creates a fractal geometry based relation. It is possible to analyse this relation through a fractal geometry-based principle. In short, a fractal geometrical generative method is suggested. Also, recently-surfaced discussions about "Chaos Theory" and its effects on the design process via "Chaos and Self - Similarity" are studied. The significance of these different phenomena and disciplines upon architectural design are also studied for developing a possible creative tool.

The purpose of this study is to gauge and compare the impact of surface street traffic externalities on residential properties. Limited previous research indicates that negative externalities dominate for single-family houses. Our objective is to verify that this result applies to our sample, and to determine if the same result extends to multi-unit rental properties.

Hedonic regression is used to analyze data from 9,680 single-family house transactions and 455 multi-unit rental properties to measure the influence of surface street traffic on the price of the two property types.

Houses located adjacent to an arterial street sold at a 7.8 per cent discount, on average, compared to similar houses located on collector streets. Limiting the analysis to houses adjacent to an arterial street (where traffic counts were available), price and traffic count are negatively related. The results for multi-unit rental dwellings are dramatically different. Multi-unit properties adjacent to an arterial street sold at a 13.75 per cent premium compared to similar properties on collector streets, and when limiting the analysis to properties on arterial streets, no significant relationship was detected between price and traffic volume.

This is the first empirical study of the influence of surface street traffic on both single-family houses and multi-unit rental residential property. Evidence is provided that traffic externalities impact the two types of properties quite differently. To the extent that this result applies to other locations, the authors suggest planners may be able to use such information to reduce the negative effect of traffic externalities on residential property associated with changes that will increase traffic flow.

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale for measuring housing quality in the context of Pakistan.

The inductive and deductive approaches for item generation have been combined, and items have been purified using multistage expert review. Data was collected from a sizeable purposive sample of 445 respondents, and exploratory and confirmatory factor approaches used for assessing psychometric properties of the scale.

The result is a 21-item scale covering five dimensions, namely, Design and Construction Quality, Neighborhood Quality, Adequacy of Space, Quality of Institutional Services and Proximity of Basic Amenities.

This study contributes to housing quality literature by deepening our understanding of the concept of housing quality in the context of Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country. The findings of the study have important implications for both theory and practice.