Environmentally sustainable affordable design elements in housing in the context of Malaysia: Focus on middle income group

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Life Science Journal

Abstract

Sustainability is an integral part of any development in today's world and built-environment is no exception. However, sustainability is not always associated with the issue of affordability. When it comes to housing, where different income groups are involved in large scale, it is utterly significant to consider affordability issues. The objective of this study was to identify environmentally sustainable elements of housing in the context of the hot-humid climate in Malaysia, which can simultaneously be affordable to a significantly rising middle class people in the country. Through a systematic review process the most authentic literatures in the field were reviewed in order to identify environmentally sustainable passive and active elements in the particular context of Malaysia. However, theoretical investigation was non-conclusive to determine affordability of few passive and active elements. A market study, including interviews with contractors was carried out in order to assign the market price of these elements. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire survey was then conducted on a sample of middle-income groups selected through conditional sampling method. After statistical verification, results showed that several user-controlled passive and active elements were not affordable. The aim of the study was to provide a list of environmentally sustainable and affordable building elements, which could help developers to deliver a better sustainable affordable built environment.

First Page

1138

Last Page

1148

Publication Date

7-1-2013

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