Arch 441 Low Income Housing Lecture 1 PDF

Arch 441 Low Income Housing Lecture 1: Introduction to Low Income Housing Credits: Ms Nafeesa Ali Objectives Low Incoming Housing and Its Challenges Urbanization in History Scope & Future for Low Income Housing Ov...

Arch 441 Low Income Housing Lecture 1: Introduction to Low Income Housing Credits: Ms Nafeesa Ali Objectives Low Incoming Housing and Its Challenges Urbanization in History Scope & Future for Low Income Housing Overview & Community Survey What Is Low-Income Housing Definition: Low-income housing means homes that are affordable for people who don’t earn a lot of money. The aim is to provide safe and decent homes without being too expensive. What Is Low-Income Housing Discussion Points: Question: What do you think makes a house affordable? ○ Answer: A house is affordable when rent or costs are low enough that people can still pay for food, education, and healthcare. Question: Why is it important for homes to be near jobs or schools? ○ Answer: It saves time and money on transport and allows families to have better access to education and work opportunities. What Is Low-Income Housing Key Characteristics: ○ Affordable: Rent or cost is lower than regular housing, Normally considered between 25% to 30% of the gross household income* ○ Accessible to very low to moderate income households while still able to pay for basic living costs such as food, clothing, transport, medical care and education; ○ Basic Needs: Includes water, electricity, and toilets. ○ Good Location: Close to jobs, schools, hospitals, and buses to save time and money. ○ Most times develop with the assistance of government: subsidies, funding, land contributions planning incentives. ○ Houses may be owned by the financing authorities available for rent of sold. Examples in Practice: ○ In Riyadh, the King Salman Housing Charity builds affordable homes. ○ Around the world, countries like the US and Europe also have programs to help low-income families get homes. Urbanization in History Rise of Cities: ○ As populations grew, small villages turned into towns and cities. ○ Cities like Babylon and Rome developed structured housing, often with significant inequality between rich and poor neighborhoods. Urbanization in History Egyptian Early Civilization - Kahun City 3000 BC Urbanization in History Its site lying in modern Al-Fayyum. Built for the slaves and artisans assigned for work on the Illahun pyramid. The apparent difference in the size of these cells indicates a distinction in class among the inhabitants, the more commodious dwellings occupying the upper-right quarter of the town. Houses were made of sun-dried bricks and plaster covered with a roof of reeds. The city dwelling, was probably a group of small rooms surrounding a diminutive courtyard in which the cooking and other domestic activities were performed. Urbanization in History The Medieval Period 5th - 15th century AD Urbanization in History The city of the Middle Ages grew within the confines of the walls. While the population was small, there was enough space in the town, but when it increased the buildings were packed and the open spaces were filled. The result intolerable congestion, lack of hygiene and pestilence. Urbanization in History Carcassonne Restored by Viollet-Le-Duc in the nineteenth century. In it we see the castle (B) with its own moat and walls, the market place (A), and the Church of St.Nazaire (C). Urbanization in History The Baroque City 17th - 18th century AD Urbanization in History Versailles The centreline and the axis symbolized the mighty power of the monarch. Louis XIV ordered the removal of his palace from the congested city of Paris to the open hunting grounds of Versailles, and he ordered the avenues to radiate from his magnificent palace. Urbanization in History Industrial Revolution 18th - 19th century AD Urbanization in History The 18th and 19th centuries saw rapid urbanization due to industrialization. The invention of steam engine and other machinery led to the setting up of industries. This in turn changed the production base from handcrafts to mass production in factories - a new building type located in rapidly growing cities. New urban settlements started to develop around these factories and this led to overcrowding in cities. Low-income housing, such as tenements, emerged to house factory workers but often lacked proper ventilation, sanitation, and space Unhealthy living conditions prevailed. 1760-1840_The Industrial Revolution and the Housing Crisis Street Trading at Dudley St, Seven Dials, Nr Covent Garden An attic occupied by a family of ten in Bethnal Green, London – an illustration from 1863 Source: http://www.jantoo.com/cartoons/keywords/victorian-slums Source: http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk The Industrial Revolution led to a mass migration of people from the countryside to the city, which caused: - a housing shortage crisis - there were not enough houses available that this population could pay for; - this leads to very poor housing conditions - owners start renting rooms to entire families (sometimes more than one) and building rooms on the backyards of the main houses. One house could host multiple families sharing one kitchen and toilet, if any; - this causes a high pressure on main cities structure in terms of health and sanitation; Housing becomes the main topic in the political agenda of the 20th Century. 16 1760-1840_The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of the Middle Class At a social level, the Industrial Revolution lead to: - the separation between house and workplace; - the separation between the private sphere (house) and the public sphere (the chaotic outside world) - the emergence of the middle class: people who were able to find achieve a better financial situation than the working class through hard work and saving but are less privileged than the bourgeoise; - This new class, despite occupying slightly better accommodation that the working class still suffer from a lack of options. 17 1918-1945 Europe: The Modern Movement Most innovations and creativity in housing developments happened between the end of the nineteen and early twentieth century due mainly to: 1. governments acknowledgement of poor living conditions and health hazard to all; 2. housing shortage continues to aggravate due to: - increase flow to main industrial cities; - level of destruction in major capital cities from WWI; 3. rise of the middle class, which will constitute the biggest percentage of the population in need of decent but also completely new housing conditions. 4. architects of the time shared the same ideology: - the total believe in the values of modern technology and industrial materials; How to develop as many-quality dwellings as possible for the working class, at an acceptable price? (Peter Behrens and H. de Fries publish (1918),’Building Economically’, Berlin 1918) 18  1918-1945 Europe: The Modern Movement Modernist architects housing projects were mainly influenced by 5 design principles 1. Minimization: the effort of minimizing the house while ensuring comfort to perform all necessary domestic tasks in the form of optimizing circulation and maximizing use of al spaces; 2. Standardization: The effort of standardization of housing dimensions using prefabrication components such as slabs, walls, structure. Standardization also includes built-in kitchens and cabinets; fittings of doors and window frames. 3. Human Scale: the minimization and standardization needed to be thought out in relation to ‘the human scale’. Development of sets of measurements for human physical comfort (not visual or sensorial): Existenzminimum, 1930; Le Corbusier, 1945 - Modulor; 4. Function: the organization of the dwelling into functional zones (1925, Alexander Klein using mainly cluster plans), to optimize interior space while ensuring clear circulation, proper natural light and ventilation. 5. Flexibility: the separation between structure and infill to allow maximum interior flexibility. This was pioneered in 1920 by Le Corbusier in the Maison Domino system. In 1927 Mies Van her Rohe, Weißenhof Siedlung - uses steel-skeleton constructions, moveable walls between load-bearing elements. A flexible apartment within a non-flexible structure which enables 4, 5 and 6 persons to be housed in the same living area. Uses mainly Cabin Plans. In 1930 Erik Friberger, Göteborg-Kallebeck allows apartments to installed within the concrete structure, according to tenants needs and wishes. During this time, large-scale housing developments were planned as extensions of the existing cities, close to public transportation, low to mid-rise, surrounded by pedestrian open public spaces and common facilities, in order to facilitate resident’s daily life in the minimum and optimized apartments. Urbanization in History Current Situation The Challenge of Low-Income Housing Discussion Points: Question: What lessons from history can help us create better low-income housing today? Answer: Ensuring proper sanitation, respecting cultural traditions, and designing homes that adapt to the environment are key lessons. The Challenge of Low-Income Housing Urban Growth Today: ○ Cities like Riyadh face rapid population growth, increasing the demand for housing. ○ Many low-income residents live in informal settlements without access to basic services. Historical Lessons: ○ History shows the importance of balancing affordability, location, and quality in housing. ○ Successful housing projects integrate cultural values and adapt to local climates. Salmani Architecture Connection: ○ In Riyadh, Salmani architecture offers solutions by using traditional designs like courtyards and wind towers for natural cooling. ○ Modular housing inspired by Salmani principles could address both cultural and environmental needs for low-income residents. Why Is Low-Income Housing Important? Discussion Points: Question: How does having a stable home help children in school? Answer: Children can focus better on their studies and have a quiet place to do homework when they have a stable home. Question: What happens to a city when many people don’t have proper housing? Answer: It can lead to overcrowded areas, poor living conditions, and social problems like crime. Why Is Low-Income Housing Important? Social Stability: ○ When people have safe homes, they feel more secure and included in society. ○ It helps reduce problems like homelessness and overcrowding. Economic Benefits: ○ Families can save money for education or healthcare instead of spending too much on rent. ○ Workers with stable homes are often more productive at their jobs. Better Cities: ○ Proper housing stops slums from growing and keeps cities organized. ○ Using eco-friendly designs in housing can also protect the environment Scope of Low-Income Housing Discussion Points: Question: What kind of jobs might need low-income housing the most? Answer: Jobs like drivers, maids, and construction workers, who often earn lower wages, need affordable housing. Question: What features would you add to make small homes more comfortable? Answer: Adding storage solutions, natural lighting, and multi-purpose furniture can make small homes more comfortable. Scope of Low-Income Housing Who Needs It? ○ People with low-income jobs like drivers, maids, and construction workers. ○ Also includes single parents, older adults, or people with disabilities. Design Ideas: ○ Small and Efficient Spaces: Use designs like modular homes that save space and cost less. ○ Respect Culture: Designs should match local traditions, like using Salmani architecture in Riyadh. ○ Flexible Spaces: Homes should allow changes, like adding rooms or levels as families grow. Future Solutions: ○ Use new building methods like prefabrication to save time and money. ○ Add eco-friendly features like solar panels to reduce bills. Housing for the Future Sustainable Designs Community Spaces Flexibility for Growth Future low-income housing Shared spaces, like shaded Modular designs can allow should use eco-friendly materials courtyards, can improve social families to expand their and energy-efficient systems, interaction and quality of life homes as needed, providing such as solar panels and natural long-term solutions ventilation. Overview Low-income housing is more than just giving people a roof over their heads. It’s about giving them a chance for a better life. By focusing on affordable, sustainable, and culturally respectful designs, we can make a big difference in people’s lives. Wrap-Up Discussion: Question: What ideas do you have for improving housing for low-income families? Answer: Ideas could include better use of space, using recycled materials, or creating community areas for shared resources. Question: What features would you prioritize in future low-income housing? Answer: Affordable materials, energy efficiency, cultural relevance, and adaptability for family growth. Tutorial: Community Participation & Survey Individually or in groups, brainstorm and propose questions you would ask residents to gather insights for designing low-income housing that you feel would be relevant when it comes to designing low income housing in Riyadh Section 1: Current Housing Conditions Section 2: Design Preferences and Cultural Relevance Section 3: Housing Needs and Future Aspirations Section 4: Feedback on Salmani-Inspired Housing