Search Results (379)

This study empirically delves into whether residential heating methods significantly affect apartment prices in Uiwang City, a suburban city near the Seoul Metropolitan area, South Korea. Using data from 1256 apartment sales, where both district heating systems (DHSs) and individual heating systems (IHSs) coexist, a hedonic price equation was estimated to analyze the impact of the heating method choices on housing values. Various housing attributes, including physical, locational, and environmental factors, were controlled, and multiple regression models were compared to identify the best-performing specification. The results show that apartments equipped with a DHS are priced, on average, KRW 92 million (USD 72 thousand) higher than those with an IHS. The price difference corresponds to KRW 849 thousand (USD 665) per m² and possesses the statistical significance at the 5% level. Moreover, it is quite meaningful, representing roughly 11.2% of the price of an average apartment. These findings suggest that the use of DHS has a positive effect on apartment prices that reflect consumers’ preferences, beyond its advantages in stable heat supply and energy cost savings. This article provides empirical evidence that DHS can serve as an important urban infrastructure contributing to asset value enhancement. Although this study is based on a specific geographic area and caution must be exercised in generalizing its findings, it reports the interesting finding that residential heating method significantly affects housing prices. Full article

Design studios generally concentrate on some critical concerns of urban life to overcome, and housing is one of those. Rapid development and advanced technology increase the need for and problems with housing. Such concerns should be addressed in theory, practice, and pedagogy. This study assesses the sophomores’ design output and their understanding of housing typologies based on real-world project sites to contribute to pedagogical aspects. Our study results show that students’ villa typologies generally focus on specific social groups with central themes, including health and recreation, while apartment complex designs converge on community life, urban identity, and tranquility. Based on the survey, students were part of it; they had difficulty with the scale and site-related grading problems, while most wished to work on the other typology theme. This study eventually calls attention to housing problems based on the design students’ perspectives on different residential typologies. Full article

The creation of child-friendly communities has become a key goal in sustainable global development. However, South Korea continues to experience a shortage of childcare facilities, resulting in gaps in the public care system and a growing reliance on private educational resources. Ensuring spatial spaces and implementing rational planning for children’s spaces have become critical tasks in building child-friendly cities. This study analyzed the accessibility of childcare facilities by housing type in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method, focusing on children residing in the district. It also evaluated whether these facilities were spatially and equally distributed. The findings are as follows. First, the overall accessibility to childcare facilities in Seongbuk-gu is limited, with significant disparities in accessibility depending on housing type. Second, the spatial equity assessment revealed high inequality indices for most facilities, particularly for those in apartment areas, which showed relatively higher levels of inequality. In conclusion, childcare facilities in Seongbuk-gu require substantial improvements in terms of both accessibility and equity. This study provides a policy framework for creating child-friendly communities and promoting equal access to care services for children by analyzing the spatial accessibility and equity of childcare facilities. Full article

Focusing on issues related to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), this study aligns with the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This study explores the barriers unique to the industry that obstruct the adoption of low-carbon emission solutions in Jordan’s multi-family residential buildings. Multi-family apartments constitute 73% of the total housing stock and account for over 80% of all residential structures. A total of eight main barriers that are preventing the implementation of low-carbon emission techniques were evaluated. The Fuzzy Delphi Method was utilized to gather insights from the Consultancy Council members of the Jordan Housing Investors Association. The results suggest that a major obstacle is the insufficient knowledge among end-users regarding environmental concerns, along with financial limitations, resulting in a lack of enthusiasm for low-carbon multi-family apartments. Moreover, insufficient cooperation between consultants and contractors leads to subpar constructability, which is worsened by the prevailing conventional procurement method that prioritizes cost and schedule above environmental consequences. To further investigate, it is advisable to examine the utilization of contemporary procurement methods, such as Design–Build and Construction Management and modern family contracts such as NEC4 in the housing industry of Jordan. These alternative methods have the potential to solve the current difficulties by promoting more effective and environmentally friendly building practices. Full article

The welfare of pet small mammals is an understudied, but growing research topic in the UK and Europe. We surveyed European veterinary experts who each rated severity and prevalence of a large number of issues in the eight most common species. Overall, 46 responses were obtained. We calculated the mean expert’s ratings for severity and prevalence of each issue, which were multiplied together to create an overall impact score. We then ranked issues from most to least impactful for each species. The most impactful welfare issue was perceived to be small housing for all the species apart from the rat where the main concern was respiratory disease. Where comparing veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, rating differed significantly on numerous issues. Veterinary nurses generally rated welfare issues as more prevalent than veterinary surgeons. UK respondents also rated numerous issues as more severe and prevalent than non-UK respondents. Better guidance on, and increased availability of, affordable large housing is likely to greatly improve small mammal welfare. Full article

The residential construction sector is critical to economic stability and housing availability. Residential construction demands often fluctuate due to demographic, economic, social, or market condition variables. This study seeks to investigate the significance of these external variables and produce a predictive model for residential construction demand using ElasticNet regression. Adopting New Zealand as a case study and leveraging datasets from Statistics New Zealand, this research identifies key demographic, economic, and market factors influencing four building categories: retirement villages, apartments, multiunit developments, and standalone houses. The research results indicate that age groups, particularly the 20−39 and 65+ age groups, and economic indicators, such as the house price index and unemployment rates, have high prediction powers. The models showed high accuracy for some categories, with R² values exceeding 0.87 for retirement villages and 0.91 for multi-units. Challenges were encountered with standalone houses and apartments due to residual variance. The research findings highlight the importance of targeted urban planning and policy adjustments to satisfy the requirements of specific age groups, address housing affordability and demographic shifts, and cater to prevailing market conditions. This research provides practical insights and guidance for urban planners, public housing agencies, residential developers, and residential contractors while offering a robust methodological framework for predictive modelling in the construction sector. Full article

The study aims to identify key features in the built environment that are associated with heat-related health risks among older people in high-income countries, which could inform the development of targeted interventions to reduce built-environment-related heat risks for older populations in the context of climate change. We conducted a systematic review to identify features of the built environment associated with the health impacts of heat amongst people aged 65 or over, living in urban areas. Three databases, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for the period from database inception until February 2025. The key built environment features associated with adverse health outcomes among older people included urban land surface vegetation, impervious ground surfaces, orientation of bedrooms, top floor locations of apartments, housing age, and the presence and use of air conditioning. The health indicators used in this study were heat-related mortality and morbidity represented by hospitalisations and ambulance call-outs. Built environment features were significantly associated with heat-related health risks among older people. Given the increasing high temperatures and more frequent and intense heatwaves in the context of climate change, there is an urgent need to develop targeted built environment adaptation plans for older people to strengthen their resilience to heat and reduce heat-related adverse health impacts. Full article

This study employs the social–ecological system (SES) framework to investigate the operational mechanisms of farmer apartment housing in Village L, demonstrating how such mechanisms ensure housing security for villagers in land-constrained contexts. Through a case analysis of Village L, we reveal that the effective implementation of farmer apartments relies on four interconnected elements: socio-political and economic conditions, homestead resource allocation within the resource system, institutional governance rules, and collaborative interactions among the government, village collectives, villagers, and enterprises. By integrating fragmented resources, optimizing participatory governance, and fostering multi-stakeholder cooperation, Village L has established a closed-loop operational model of “resource intensification–democratic decision-making–synergistic co-construction”. This model preserves villagers’ homestead entitlements and addresses housing demands through centralized construction, striking a balance between equity and efficiency in land-scarce areas. The findings underscore that farmer apartment housing represents a viable pathway for achieving “housing-for-all” in resource-limited areas, contingent upon institutionalizing village collectives’ self-governance capabilities and incentivizing broader societal participation (e.g., NGOs and enterprises) to form a diversified investment framework. Policy refinements should prioritize scaling context-specific governance innovations while safeguarding farmers’ land rights during urbanization transitions, offering replicable insights for regions facing similar land use challenges. Full article

Global environmental and climatic changes have become an ever-increasing trepidation worldwide due to the unprecedented changes in temperatures, precipitation, weather, and ecosystems at the international, regional, and local levels. This study attempts to find out the impacts and vulnerabilities of climate-induced hazards and environmental degradation on the lives of Indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), along with finding out the factors of environmental degradation in Indigenous communities. This study also explores the adaptation strategies of Indigenous people in adverse situations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. For conducting this study, a critical ethnographic approach is adopted, together with participant observation, in-depth interviews (N = 55), and focus group discussions (FGDs) (N = 5, 48 participants), following purposive sampling over one year (October 2019 to October 2020). The findings of this study indicate that climate-induced hazards and environmental crisis brings unprecedented suffering to the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous people. Climate change and variability together with human causes contribute to creating an environmental crisis that threatens food security, creates water scarcity, and disrupts agricultural activities and household properties in Indigenous communities. The findings also indicate that Indigenous people are bound to change their traditional jhum cultivation and adjust their traditional housing structure apart from searching for alternative livelihoods due to climatic events and environmental crises. However, Indigenous people try to adapt to this adverse situation following their life-long experiences and local knowledge. This study helps policymakers as well as governments to understand the major drivers of environmental crisis and climatic events in Indigenous communities, together with finding out the solutions and recuperating the living conditions of the marginalized groups in Bangladesh and beyond. Full article

Aging residential buildings in urban areas require effective thermal insulation to enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), expanded polystyrene (EPS) is the most commonly used insulation material due to its affordability, despite concerns regarding its flammability and environmental impact. While regulatory changes since 2019 have recommended rock wool for high-rise buildings, the absence of binding fire safety regulations has allowed the continued use of EPS, often driven by financial constraints. This study examines energy efficiency refurbishments in Sarajevo’s high-rise residential buildings and analyze the implications of the partial implementation of recommended measures. Using case studies, surveys, and expert interviews, this research identifies key challenges, such as limited funding, fragmented renovations, and inconsistent coordination between stakeholders. The findings indicate that facade insulation is often prioritized over comprehensive upgrades, including window replacement and heating system improvements, leading to suboptimal energy savings and minimal cost reductions for residents. Additionally, the complexity of multi-apartment ownership structures hinders uniform improvements in energy efficiency. Despite these challenges, property values tend to increase after renovation, highlighting the long-term financial benefits. To maximize energy savings and ensure sustainable urban housing, stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, improved funding mechanisms, and adherence to fire-safety standards are necessary. These measures would enhance the effectiveness of renovations and support long-term energy efficiency strategies. Full article

Background: Health inequalities between citizens of different European countries and between socially advantaged and disadvantaged groups are seen as challenges to the EU’s commitment to solidarity, social and economic cohesion, human rights, and equality of opportunity. This study aimed to assess inequity in the distribution of specific communicable and non-communicable diseases among the adult population of Pécs City, Hungary. Methods: This is an ecological study combined with health inequity analysis. The study population comprised adult patients living in the city of Pécs who were treated for circulatory, neoplasm, or respiratory diseases in 2019. Hospitalization and local socioeconomic data by zip codes were obtained from the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary and the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. Diseases were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10). The differences and ratios of the proportions of treated diseases were calculated, along with the concentration index (C). Zip codes were ranked into categories 1 to 5 based on socio-demographic variables: education, employment status, and apartment ownership. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used as the cut-off point for statistical significance. IBM SPSS version 25 and STATA version 14.0 software were used for data analysis. Results: All 36 zip codes in the city of Pécs were included in this study. Analysis based on employment status showed a higher prevalence of neoplasms in areas with higher unemployment (C = −0.0528; 95% CI = −0.0975, −0.0080). In terms of apartment ownership, neoplasms (C = −0.0742; 95% CI = −0.1102, −0.0382) and circulatory diseases (C = −0.0280; 95% CI = −0.0520, −0.0039) were more prevalent in zip codes with fewer apartment owners. Conclusions: This study identified significant inequity in the distribution of neoplasms and circulatory diseases among the adult population of Pécs, especially in areas where the low socioeconomic segment of the population lives. Efforts should be made to establish tailored interventions such as targeted healthcare funding and employment programs for the unemployed and National Housing Trust Fund for those who do not own houses through multisectoral collaboration among healthcare providers, employers, governors, and policymakers. Full article

Public rental housing complexes in South Korea have played a critical role in addressing housing needs since their introduction in 1989, initially prioritizing rapid quantitative supply. However, challenges such as limited housing quality and evolving socio-economic demands have prompted a shift toward emphasizing qualitative improvements in residential environments. This study investigates changes in residential building layouts in public rental housing complexes constructed during the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s to understand how planning practices have evolved over time. Using a structured analysis framework, this research examined layout types (orthogonal, parallel, staggered, and mixed) and key planning elements (density, building height, orientation, and building forms) across 24 complexes. The findings reveal a transition from orthogonal layouts with uniform linear flat-type buildings in the 1990s to mixed and parallel layouts incorporating tower-type buildings in the 2000s, reflecting an increased emphasis on density and aesthetics. By the 2010s, parallel layouts persisted but featured diverse building forms, such as modified flat-type buildings and L-shaped configurations, along with variations in floor heights, enhancing spatial efficiency and visual appeal. These changes in the layout forms of residential buildings are particularly driven by the combination of planning characteristics, such as building forms and orientation as well as socio-historical factors. Relevant legal frameworks and institutional systems, such as district unit plans, have played a significant role in shaping these transformations. This study provides insights into the evolution of public housing planning and offers guidance for sustainable and high-quality urban housing development. Full article

Integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) such as solar and wind generation systems introduces challenges in ensuring a safe and stable power supply to the power system due to their inherent output variability. Addressing this issue requires the development of advanced technologies and methodologies to mitigate power variability while enabling the integration of high levels of renewable energy into the existing power system. One practical approach to managing the variability of RESs is incorporating an energy storage system (ESS), which enhances the reliability and stability of the power supply from RESs. This study focuses on optimized energy management and storage capacity sizing while ensuring safe operation amid output variability to maximize the benefits of combining RESs and two ESSs (i.e., primary and secondary) for a smart home energy management system. To achieve this, a linear programming (LP) model is employed to investigate the relationship between RESs, ESSs, and energy loads to determine the storage capacity under safety conditions. Here, safety refers to preserving the capacity limitations of each ESS in the power system against fluctuations. The optimization problem is mathematically formulated, and a feasible solution is found using the LP Solver in MATLAB. To validate the proposed optimal sizing of ESS and energy balancing against fluctuations, power generation, and consumption data from apartment facility, iHouse smart apartment facilities are employed during all seasons, i.e., spring, summer, winter, and autumn. Additionally, several case studies are analyzed, representing a distinct physical arrangement of connectivity between power devices, from the most densely connected to the least connected. The results indicate that the strategic power distribution significantly reduces the total ESS size, including the primary and secondary storage systems, for each season. The optimal secondary ESS size decreased to 25.7 % for the spring season, 17.29% for the summer season, 6.79 % for the winter season, and 7.01 % for the autumn season from the least connectivity from power devices to dense connectivity. The findings highlight the seasonal variations of generation and consumption and their impact on ESS sizing while preserving the limitations and ensuring the safety of the power system. Hence, it is a novel methodology for seasonal storage sizing and strategic energy management, guaranteeing stable and resilient power system operation. Full article

There has been long-standing debate as to whether Kami Fumi-e (paper images to be trampled on) had actually been used in image trampling sessions as part of the 250-year persecution of Christianity enforced by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Sacred images of Christianity officially recorded to have been trampled on are housed in the permanent collection of the Tokyo National Museum and are almost uniquely made of metal alloy. The controversy regarding paper images, apart from the medium being considered unsuitable for such extreme use, was fueled by the appearance of a significant number of them in museum collections and institutions worldwide in the 20th century. Most of the prints bear dates from different eras of the Edo period, sometimes hundreds of years apart; therefore, long-standing arguments regarding their authenticity marked the last century. In order to distinguish later copies from potentially original pieces, if ever existed, XRF, Raman, and FTIR analytical techniques were used to study the materials characterizing them. In addition, detailed observation of the main visual features (overall design composition, inscriptions, paper support, etc.) was carried out to highlight potential discrepancies that could pair with scientific evidence and lead to a definitive conclusion. Full article

The revitalization of Fort Bema in Warsaw’s Bemowo district addresses the urgent need for sustainable urban development in degraded post-military areas. This study aims to explore innovative urban development strategies that effectively integrate historic preservation with modern housing solutions. Using a case study approach, the research employs SWOT analysis and examines public–private partnerships (PPP) to evaluate revitalization strategies. Key findings include an analysis of the factors that contributed to the successful transformation of 148 hectares of land, including the construction of the “Parkowo-Leśne” housing estate with 1637 apartments with a total area of 118,255.97 m² and volume of 669,982.73 m³. In addition, the Osmańczyka Street Housing Estate was developed on an area of 11.7 hectares, providing over 100,000 m² of residential space and buildings with a total volume of approximately 548,000 m³. The positive net migration trends observed during this period further confirm the development and attractiveness of the Bemowo district as a desirable residential area. These developments enhance community engagement and urban cohesion. The study concludes that flexible planning methods and stakeholder collaboration are essential to successful urban transformation. It recommends that similar projects adopt these strategies to balance development pressures with heritage conservation, thereby addressing housing shortages while preserving cultural significance. Full article