Assessment of Population pressure on Urban Housing in Ngwa Road, Ohanku and Obohia Parts of Aba South, Abia State Nigeria

The effect of population growth on urban housing is a global challenge but the worst examples are found in the developing world which has led to an increased growth of poorly planned cities in the developing world, and loss of aesthetics. The aim of this research is to assess the level of population pressure on urban housing within Ngwa Road, Ohanku and Obohia environs in Aba South local government area in Abia State. The research evaluated housing demand and supply in the area, condition of houses in the area, factors encouraging population growth in the study area and level of compliance of buildings with town planning laws. The study area has an estimated 2021 population of 138017 as projected from 88,951 in 2016 with a growth rate of 2.94%. The research data was collected through household survey, Aba South Town Planning Authority, National Population Commission and the Aba South Street Naming and House Numbering Office. The simple random sampling technique and the purposive sampling technique were employed by the researcher with a sample size of 399.9 at 0.05 confidence level which was determined using the Taro Yamane method for sample size collection. The Principle Component Analysis (PCA), Principle Component Regression (PCR), standard deviation, weighted mean, percentages/proportions to analyze the data collected. The Principal Component Analysis result showed that component I have the highest loading with eigen value of 6.721 while component II has an eigen value of 3.279. The result showed that ease of access to commercial activities and educational level of heads of households are major factors encouraging population growth in the study area. The research revealed a housing demand and supply cluster estimate of 60.11% which was not considered statistically high. The average response of 93.2% is that houses in the study area are in a poor condition. The Aba South town planning authority revealed a 0.741 standard deviation which shows a high level of non-compliance with town planning laws. The research hypothesis was tested using Spearman Rank Correlation test at 0.05 level of confidence and the null hypothesis was accepted. Looking at the Land-UseLand-Cover images of the area obtained for 3 epochs from 1980-2020, the study area experienced an major growth in rate of housing stock after year 2000 and with increasing population growth, the area may soon be unable to carry the population that will be found there. This research calls the attention of the Abia State government in particular and the federal government in general to address these challenges through recommended public-private partnership and decentralization of pull factors. These recommendat

Working from home and long-term housing wealth inequality in large cities of advanced economies

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explain the potential long-term impacts of working from home on housing wealth inequality in large cities of advanced economies. Design/methodology/approach This study is descriptive research and It supports the arguments by providing some emerging evidence from property markets in developed countries. Findings The authors argue that due to the unique nature of the COVID-19 crisis, it will have a different and long-term impact on housing wealth inequality. Changes in the working arrangements of many professionals will change the housing demand dynamic across different suburbs and may lead to a reduction of the housing wealth gap in the long term. In this paper, the authors propose five mechanisms that may impact housing wealth inequality. Research limitations/implications Long-term data is required to test the proposed conceptual model in this study and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing wealth across and within suburbs of large cities. Practical implications Policymakers and regulators may benefit from the discussions and suggestions provided in this study and consider the proposed avenues on how new changes in the working environment (remote working) may result in a reduction of housing wealth inequality. Originality/value This study presents a new perspective about the potential long-term impacts of working from home that is posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on housing wealth inequality in large cities of developed economies.

Unit Optimalization Using the QM App for Windows on Perumahan Bukit Aradiar Permai Balikpapan

<p><em>Abstract</em></p><p>Housing demand continues to increase along with the increase in economic activity and the number of residents in the city of Balikpapan according to the 2017 Central Statistics Agency as many as 636,012 people to 645,727 people. The increase in housing demand is driven by the community's perspective that home ownership must be met while housing availability is limited. Based on the Balikpapan City Government in the 2012 Regional Spatial Plan, the plan to develop a spatial pattern of cultivation areas is more directed towards the north and east parts of the city so that population growth and development are not concentrated in the city center. This is a challenge for housing providers to meet the needs of long-lived communities and migrant communities by building housing located in the East of Balikpapan City as a place to live. The increase in land prices is so high in Balikpapan due to the movement of the capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, making housing prices also higher. The limited land owned by the housing developer must be utilized as well as possible for the construction of housing units, construction of facilities, and the existence of green space in the housing according to government regulations related to Balikpapan City RTRW. Land owned by housing developers that vary in shape is extremely limited with the type of house being built also varies and the price of the unit offered is different for each unit. For this reason, the developer must be able to optimize the production of the type of house that will be built based on government regulations and the National Spatial Plan, optimizing the land to get the optimum profit. This optimization uses the assistive application of QM for Windows and obtained 98 units for type 40/120 and type 45/120 for 102 units with optimum profit yielding Rp 104,292,098,201 for the BEP method.</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>Keywords:</em></strong><em> </em><em>Optimization</em><em>;</em><em> QM For Windows</em><em>;</em><em> Unit.</em></p>

Urban Compression: Incremental Strategies for Achieving Suburban Densification

<p>Background: Sprawling, car related development dominates and destroys natural landscapes and productive farm land at the edges of urban centres. Yet, suburbs continue to grow outwards to meet New Zealanders’ preferences for stand-alone housing and keep up with increasing housing demand, while existing dwellings are demolished to make way for new developments. Research objectives: This research aims to investigate the implications of building dwellings incrementally to achieve gradual densification within New Zealand suburbs, reducing the need for green field development, and slowing urban sprawl. The objective of this research is to determine how incremental housing strategies could enable suburbs to continue to grow, however in density rather than sprawl, through the design of accessory dwelling units that can be added to existing sites and developed over time. Research method: Built and proposed incremental housing projects are reviewed to determine existing strategies and their suitability for creating buildings that are able to grow over time. Literature is reviewed to identify current preferences and priorities for suburban living, strategies for sustainable suburban development and current provisions within district plans for achieving denser suburbs. Siteless and site responsive architectural strategies for incremental accessory dwelling units are developed through iterative massing and plan studies to generate a wide range of potential solutions at each stage of development, continually reflecting on and progressing with the most successful options. Potential Implications: The development of spatial strategies for incrementally built accessory dwelling units that could facilitate long term densification in the New Zealand suburban context while reducing the need for the demolition and redevelopment of existing residential sites.</p>

Where the Heck Do I Put the Barbeque? High-Rise Housing for New Zealanders

<p>There is little doubt New Zealand is in the midst of a housing crisis. A growing population and a construction industry unable to meet demand makes housing supply an ongoing issue. The most sustainable way to meet housing demand is to increase density within existing city limits; however, growth in this way is problematic due to the stigma surrounding high-density housing. High-rise apartment living in particular is seen as undesirable to most New Zealanders. This research investigates how high-rise apartment blocks can be better designed for the New Zealand context – specifically, how the provision of quality outdoor space can better align this typology with New Zealanders’ affinity with the outdoors. Three innovative high-rise typologies are tested on a central Wellington site. Each is designed for a different user group and provides occupants with private outdoor space that facilitates outdoor activities usually inhibited by high-rise apartment living. Accessways are investigated and reimagined as vibrant common spaces that provide occupants with additional outdoor space. The design outcome provides residents with a diverse range of outdoor space. From common, semi-private, and fully private, this research demonstrates a range of outdoor spaces can exist in a high-rise setting. The design outcome shifts the high-rise apartment from an imported international model to a typology adapted to the New Zealand locale.</p>

Urban Compression: Incremental Strategies for Achieving Suburban Densification

<p>Background: Sprawling, car related development dominates and destroys natural landscapes and productive farm land at the edges of urban centres. Yet, suburbs continue to grow outwards to meet New Zealanders’ preferences for stand-alone housing and keep up with increasing housing demand, while existing dwellings are demolished to make way for new developments. Research objectives: This research aims to investigate the implications of building dwellings incrementally to achieve gradual densification within New Zealand suburbs, reducing the need for green field development, and slowing urban sprawl. The objective of this research is to determine how incremental housing strategies could enable suburbs to continue to grow, however in density rather than sprawl, through the design of accessory dwelling units that can be added to existing sites and developed over time. Research method: Built and proposed incremental housing projects are reviewed to determine existing strategies and their suitability for creating buildings that are able to grow over time. Literature is reviewed to identify current preferences and priorities for suburban living, strategies for sustainable suburban development and current provisions within district plans for achieving denser suburbs. Siteless and site responsive architectural strategies for incremental accessory dwelling units are developed through iterative massing and plan studies to generate a wide range of potential solutions at each stage of development, continually reflecting on and progressing with the most successful options. Potential Implications: The development of spatial strategies for incrementally built accessory dwelling units that could facilitate long term densification in the New Zealand suburban context while reducing the need for the demolition and redevelopment of existing residential sites.</p>

The Family Friendly Home: A higher density adaptive reuse strategy for Wellington

<p>This thesis will explore what makes a place family-friendly and, how likely families with children will consider moving into high-density residences in the Wellington Region. With an increasing population and housing demand, Wellington housing must increase in density. Furthermore, Wellington must seek to provide higher-density housing that responds to the needs of all its population including families, rather than only the narrow market that high-density housing has previously been marketed to. High-density housing has often been marketed to single professionals, young couples, and empty nesters, neglecting the idea that families with children may also wish to live comfortably in the inner-city. Therefore, this thesis seeks to understand the needs of families to provide a living environment that responds to a family’s needs at all scales from the housing unit, building, and urban scale. It aims to do this through identifying and understanding issues identified previously by families living in high-density and exploring ways that they can be resolved in a design outcome. The thesis also reviews case studies of high-density residences to identify potential design solutions. This information was used to inform a questionnaire and the resulting survey identified specific needs and preferences in family-friendly higher-density housing for families. Using all of this, a site was chosen in the Wellington Region and developed through an iterative design process to provide a proposal for the issues identified in this thesis. Initial research in Chapter one to Chapter five have been presented at the 52nd International Conference of the Architectural Science Association, in the paper titled ‘Regeneration of unused buildings within Wellington to attract family living, in response to the Wellington demographic’.</p>

Where the Heck Do I Put the Barbeque? High-Rise Housing for New Zealanders

<p>There is little doubt New Zealand is in the midst of a housing crisis. A growing population and a construction industry unable to meet demand makes housing supply an ongoing issue. The most sustainable way to meet housing demand is to increase density within existing city limits; however, growth in this way is problematic due to the stigma surrounding high-density housing. High-rise apartment living in particular is seen as undesirable to most New Zealanders. This research investigates how high-rise apartment blocks can be better designed for the New Zealand context – specifically, how the provision of quality outdoor space can better align this typology with New Zealanders’ affinity with the outdoors. Three innovative high-rise typologies are tested on a central Wellington site. Each is designed for a different user group and provides occupants with private outdoor space that facilitates outdoor activities usually inhibited by high-rise apartment living. Accessways are investigated and reimagined as vibrant common spaces that provide occupants with additional outdoor space. The design outcome provides residents with a diverse range of outdoor space. From common, semi-private, and fully private, this research demonstrates a range of outdoor spaces can exist in a high-rise setting. The design outcome shifts the high-rise apartment from an imported international model to a typology adapted to the New Zealand locale.</p>

The Family Friendly Home: A higher density adaptive reuse strategy for Wellington

<p>This thesis will explore what makes a place family-friendly and, how likely families with children will consider moving into high-density residences in the Wellington Region. With an increasing population and housing demand, Wellington housing must increase in density. Furthermore, Wellington must seek to provide higher-density housing that responds to the needs of all its population including families, rather than only the narrow market that high-density housing has previously been marketed to. High-density housing has often been marketed to single professionals, young couples, and empty nesters, neglecting the idea that families with children may also wish to live comfortably in the inner-city. Therefore, this thesis seeks to understand the needs of families to provide a living environment that responds to a family’s needs at all scales from the housing unit, building, and urban scale. It aims to do this through identifying and understanding issues identified previously by families living in high-density and exploring ways that they can be resolved in a design outcome. The thesis also reviews case studies of high-density residences to identify potential design solutions. This information was used to inform a questionnaire and the resulting survey identified specific needs and preferences in family-friendly higher-density housing for families. Using all of this, a site was chosen in the Wellington Region and developed through an iterative design process to provide a proposal for the issues identified in this thesis. Initial research in Chapter one to Chapter five have been presented at the 52nd International Conference of the Architectural Science Association, in the paper titled ‘Regeneration of unused buildings within Wellington to attract family living, in response to the Wellington demographic’.</p>

Concrete vs. Ceramic Blocks: Environmental Impact Evaluation Considering a Country-Level Approach

In continental countries, building materials are often moved over long distances from factories to building sites. This is especially important when quality and performance certification systems are required for the building materials’ acquisition. In this scenario, the transportation phase tends to have a great contribution to building materials’ environmental impacts. Taking into consideration that countries such as China, India, and Brazil, i.e., continental countries, are expecting the largest future housing demand, the issue of transportation will have a crucial role in environmental impacts. Through a Brazilian case study, the present work investigates the potential environmental impacts of structural masonry made of concrete and ceramic blocks certified by the Brazilian Quality Program. A cradle-to-site Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) is carried out while considering a country-level approach using data from the literature and Ecoinvent. The results show that ceramic blocks are preferable for most states and scenarios. Human Health and Ecosystem Quality are the two categories most affected by transportation, and they can reach more than 96% and 99%, respectively. The efficiency of the building material transportation system plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A shift in building components from concrete to ceramic blocks has the potential to mitigate between 154 and 229 Mt CO2-eq between 2020 and 2050. The methodological approach used in this work can be applied to other building materials and other countries, especially those of continental dimensions that are expected to have a significant future housing demand.